Can you reuse a DBS check?
A DBS certificate is not automatically “transferable” between jobs. Whether an existing certificate can be relied on for a new role depends on its level, the workforce it covered, its age, and whether it is on the Update Service — which is the mechanism designed to make Standard and Enhanced checks portable.
This guidance is maintained by the Complys team and reviewed against the primary DBS / GOV.UK sources listed above (last reviewed 24 September 2026). It is general information, not legal advice, and DBS rules can change — always confirm against the official sources.
The short answer
A new employer may choose to accept an existing certificate, but is not obliged to, and for many roles a policy or sector rule will call for a fresh check or an online status check. [GOV.UK] The reliable route to portability is the Update Service: if the certificate is a Standard or Enhanced one, the individual subscribes, and they consent, an employer can run an online status check to confirm it is still current — instead of paying for and waiting on a brand-new certificate. [GOV.UK]
What has to match
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Level | A Basic or Standard certificate does not cover a role needing Enhanced |
| Barred-list element | A certificate without a barred-list check does not cover regulated activity |
| Workforce | A children’s-workforce certificate does not automatically cover adults’ work, and vice versa |
| Update Service | Only Standard/Enhanced certificates can be kept current and status-checked |
| Age / policy | No fixed expiry, but the organisation or sector may set a limit |
Not sure which level applies?
Our free DBS eligibility guidance checker walks you through the official criteria and points you to the guidance to confirm against. It is guidance, not a legal determination.
Open the DBS eligibility checker →Where Complys fits
Complys does not carry out DBS checks or run Update Service status checks. It helps you record which certificate you have relied on for each worker, its level, workforce and date, and whether it is on the Update Service — so reuse decisions are consistent and evidenced (see DBS record keeping & compliance).
FAQs
Can a DBS check be transferred between jobs?
A certificate is not automatically 'transferable'. Whether a new employer can rely on an existing certificate depends on the level, the workforce it covered, how old it is, and whether it is registered with the Update Service. The Update Service is the mechanism designed to make a Standard or Enhanced certificate portable.
Can an employer accept an existing DBS certificate?
They can choose to, at their own risk, but they are not obliged to — and for some roles their own policy or sector rules will require a new check or a status check. If the certificate is on the Update Service and the level and workforce match, an online status check (with the individual's consent) is the safer way to rely on it.
Does the Update Service make a check portable?
For Standard and Enhanced certificates, yes — that is its purpose. If the individual subscribes and consents, an employer can carry out an online status check to see whether the certificate is still current, rather than applying for a new one. Basic checks are not covered.
Can I use an old DBS certificate?
There is no fixed expiry, so a certificate does not become 'invalid' on a date — but an employer may decide it is too old, the level or workforce may not match the new role, or a sector rule may require a fresh check. Whether it can be used is a decision for the receiving organisation.
What has to match for an existing certificate to be relied on?
Broadly, the level (Basic/Standard/Enhanced), whether it included the relevant barred-list check, and the workforce (children/adults) need to fit the new role. A certificate for one workforce or a lower level does not cover a role that needs more. Confirm against the official guidance for the specific role.
Related DBS guides
- DBS Update ServiceHow the DBS Update Service works for employers: it covers Standard and Enhanced certificates only, needs the individual's consent and your legal entitlement, and what a status check does and does not tell you.
- How long a DBS lasts / renewalA DBS certificate has no official expiry date — it is a snapshot from the day it was issued. How organisations decide when to recheck, the role of the Update Service, and why 'renewal' is a matter of policy and sector rules rather than a fixed legal deadline.
- DBS checks for employersHow UK employers establish eligibility, request the correct level of DBS check through the proper route, check identity, handle certificates lawfully and keep safer-recruitment records.
Official sources and further guidance
- DBS Update Service — GOV.UK
- DBS Update Service: employer guide (updated 28 August 2026) — GOV.UK / Disclosure and Barring Service
- Handling of DBS certificate information — GOV.UK / Disclosure and Barring Service
- DBS eligibility guidance — GOV.UK / Disclosure and Barring Service
- Check someone's criminal record — types of check you can make — GOV.UK
This guidance is maintained by the Complys team and reviewed against the primary DBS / GOV.UK sources listed above (last reviewed 24 September 2026). It is general information, not legal advice, and DBS rules can change — always confirm against the official sources.