Summary
Key Information
If you have done a DBS check and registered for the Update Service at the time, you get a Gold Star ⭐️
All you will need to do is provide a scan of your DBS certificate and let them know you're registered with the Update Service. They will need to see the original hard copy certificate at the interview, so if you've misplaced that you'll need to start again.
If you're not registered to the Update Service, read on...
👉 Step 1: Collect documents
The agency will send you a form to complete. You will also need to scan your proof of identity documents to attach to the form. The same list of documents from your ID check applies... this can include:
- Passport
- Driving licence
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate
- Proof of address documents, such as a mortgage statement, bank statement, credit card bill, utility bill or more.
There is a comprehensive list from the Government website here.
👉 Step 2: Get documents checked
These physical documents need to be checked to confirm they are valid before the check can be submitted. Your locum agency will either send someone to you to do this, or ask you to go to a local Post Office to do this.
👉 Step 3: Receive certificate
The locum agency will submit the forms to the DBS. It usually takes around 4 weeks for them to finalise the check.
They will send you a hard copy certificate to your house in the post. Keep this safe - you will need it in the future.
Let the agency know when this has arrived. They may ask you to send them over a scan so they have it on their file.
👉 Step 4: Register for the Update Service
The most important step in the process...!
The Update Service makes your DBS certificate ‘portable’. This means that any Trust or another locum agency can rely on your previous certificate without making you apply for another one each time. It only costs £13/year.
You have to have registered on the Update Service within 28 days of the original DBS certificate being issued, so don't delay!
You can read more on the Government website here.
This information is written for DBS checks for England and Wales. The process is similar for PVG and Access NI checks for Scotland and Northern Ireland, although there is no Update Service for those.
Overseas Police Checks
If you have you been continuously in a foreign country for more than 6 months over the past 5 years, you need to complete a police check from that country.
Most commonly this will apply to doctors who:
- Are an IMG or studied overseas
- Are returning from an F3 in Australia
- Travelled and lived in one country for more than six months
You should apply for this check ASAP. The Government website here has a set of steps and contact details for the most common countries.
If this is in a foreign language, you may need to get a certified translation into English. Your locum agency will let you know what their policy is on this.
Action Steps
Do you want to work in England, Scotland or Northern Ireland?
Have you lived continuously in a foreign country for more than 6 months over the past 5 years?
FAQs
I have my DBS from when I started F1, will this count?
- Only if you registered with the DBS Update Service within 28 days of when that certificate was issued to you. If you didn't you'll need to repeat the check this time around.
I registered with an agency previously and they did a DBS check, can I use this?
- Only if you registered with the DBS Update Service within 28 days of when that certificate was issued to you. If you didn't you'll need to repeat the check this time around.
I want to work in both England and Scotland, do I need to do a DBS check and a PVG check?
- Yes, you will need to do both.