Standard DBS check
A Standard DBS check shows spent and unspent convictions and cautions. It is available only for specific roles that are eligible in law, and — unlike a Basic check — an individual cannot request one for themselves; an organisation requests it.
What a Standard check shows
A Standard check discloses spent and unspent convictions and cautions. [GOV.UK] It does not include information held by local police (that is the Enhanced level) or any barred-list check.
Who is eligible
Eligibility for a Standard check flows from the law — principally the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, which lists specific roles and professions where spent convictions can be taken into account. [GOV.UK] Examples include certain legal, accountancy and actuarial roles and some licensed occupations. Eligibility is set by the legal category, not the job title, so confirm a specific role against the official eligibility guidance rather than assuming. [GOV.UK]
Who can request it, and how
A Standard check is requested by an organisation, not the individual: it is submitted through a Registered Body, or an umbrella body where the organisation carries out fewer than 100 checks a year. [GOV.UK] The January 2026 self-application route for self-employed people covers Enhanced checks, not Standard — see DBS checks for the self-employed.
Fee, volunteers and the Update Service
A Standard check costs £21.50 until 4 October 2026, and £20 from 5 October 2026. [GOV.UK] It is free for people who meet the DBS definition of a volunteer. [GOV.UK] A Standard certificate can be kept up to date on the DBS Update Service. [GOV.UK]
Role/category → Standard may apply? → who requests → route
| Role / category | Standard may apply? | Who requests | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| A profession/licensed role named in the Exceptions Order (e.g. solicitor, accountant, certain licence holders) | May apply — confirm the category | The engaging organisation | Registered Body / umbrella body |
| A role not in a listed category | No | — | Basic available (or Enhanced if the role is separately eligible) |
| Unsure whether the role is a listed category | Confirm | — | Check the official eligibility guidance |
Basic vs Standard vs Enhanced
| Basic | Standard | Enhanced | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Anyone | Specific listed roles | Specific eligible roles (higher responsibility/contact) |
| Shows | Unspent convictions & conditional cautions | Spent & unspent convictions & cautions | Standard + relevant local police information |
| Barred-list check | No | No | Only where the role is regulated activity |
| Who can apply | Individual or employer | Organisation only | Organisation (self-employed route from 21 Jan 2026) |
| Update Service | No | Yes | Yes |
Worked examples
| The role | Likely direction (confirm) |
|---|---|
| Solicitor or accountant (a listed profession) | Standard may apply — confirm the specific category |
| Certain licensed/financial-services roles | Standard may apply — confirm against the eligibility guidance and the regulator |
| Ordinary office role, not a listed category | Not eligible for Standard → Basic available |
| Self-employed worker in a Standard-eligible category | Cannot self-apply for Standard → via the engaging organisation |
| Volunteer in a Standard-eligible role | Free for an eligible volunteer; requested by the organisation |
| Employer-requested Standard-eligible role | The organisation submits it via a Registered Body / umbrella body |
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. It helps you keep the record that a check was done, its level and date, and review/renewal reminders against each worker — within the official handling rules (see DBS record keeping & compliance).
FAQs
Can I apply for a Standard DBS check myself?
No. An individual cannot apply for a Standard check for themselves. It is requested by an organisation that engages you, submitted through a Registered Body, or an umbrella body where the organisation does fewer than 100 checks a year. (The January 2026 self-application route for self-employed people covers Enhanced checks, not Standard.)
How is a Standard check different from an Enhanced check?
A Standard check shows spent and unspent convictions and cautions. An Enhanced check shows the same plus any information held by local police that is considered relevant to the role, and — only where the role is regulated activity — a check of the relevant barred list.
Related DBS guides
- Enhanced DBS checkWhat an Enhanced DBS check shows, the four variants (with or without a children’s or adults’ barred-list check), who is eligible, who can request it (including the 21 January 2026 self-employed route), the fee with the 5 October 2026 change, and why a barred-list check is not automatic.
- Which DBS check do I need?Basic, Standard, Enhanced or Enhanced with a barred-list check? Eligibility depends on the role's actual duties, setting and regulated-activity status — not the job title. A UK employer guide.
- DBS eligibility guidance checkerA free guided tool that helps UK employers work out which official DBS eligibility guidance to review for a role. Guidance only — it does not make a legal eligibility determination.
Official sources and further guidance
- Check someone's criminal record — types of check you can make — GOV.UK
- Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 — legislation.gov.uk
- DBS eligibility guidance — GOV.UK / Disclosure and Barring Service
- DBS Update Service — GOV.UK
- DBS reduces fees for checks and Update Service from 5 October 2026 — GOV.UK / Disclosure and Barring Service
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.