What Is A Standard DBS Check?
A Standard DBS check is one level higher than the Basic DBS check, but one level below the Enhanced DBS check.
What Is The Difference Between A Basic And A Standard DBS Check?
A Basic DBS check will only display an individual’s unspent convictions, final warnings, and reprimands, whereas a Standard DBS check shows this, but also shows any spent convictions an individual may have.
Anyone can apply for a Basic DBS, but only an organisation or employer can apply for a Standard DBS Check.
Standard DBS Checks From Aaron’s Department
Here at Aaron’s Department, we offer a fast and efficient service for any employer looking for a Standard DBS check. With Admin fees from as little as £5.00, Standard checks have never been as affordable and as easy to do!
On top of this, we process every Standard DBS check the same day (when submitted before 4pm), so you can get your staff into work quicker. (At no extra charge)
To request a standard DBS check for your employees, simply register for free below!
In a rush? Our useful video below can answer all of your Standard DBS questions.
Everything You Need To Know
Standard DBS Checks For Employers
Below is everything you need to know about the Standard DBS check service we provide for employers, at a glance!
Simple Application Forms
No funny jargon, just a straight-forward application form for you or your employees to fill out.
Life doesn’t need to be any more complicated, so we make sure it isn’t!
Fast DBS Results
We process and send all DBS checks the same day (when received before 4pm).
On top of this, our application form can be completed in just a few minutes!
No Contracts or Hidden Fees
There are no nasty shocks when you sign up with us!
No registration fees or minimum checks are required – just use what you want, when you want.
Admin Fees From £5.00
You won’t find a better service at a cheaper price!
DBS checks are essential in making an informed recruitment decision, so we believe they should be affordable!
Dedicated Support
No matter your question, big or small, our experienced team will be happy to help!
Simply give us a call, or drop an email, and we’ll help you however we can.
Built-In Tracking System
Our system incorporates a built-in tracking service and automatic email updates.
It’s never been easier to keep track of the status of your application(s)!
From what a Standard DBS Check is, to who is eligible to apply for one, we go over everything you need to know about Standard checks on this page.
What is a Standard DBS Check?
A Standard DBS check contains both a list of spent and unspent convictions, final warnings and reprimands contained on the Police National Computer (PNC).
Who Can Apply for a Standard DBS Check?
Unlike a Basic DBS check, only employers and organisations can request a Standard DBS for an individual. They are only available for positions that are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1074 Exceptions Order 1975.
Who Can Have a Standard DBS Check?
A Standard check is suitable for job roles in the Financial and Legal sectors. As well as this, it has limited application in Education, Security, and in Healthcare environments for those who have regular contact with patients (but are not in healthcare roles).
What Does a Standard DBS Check Show?
Standard DBS Checks show Spent and Unspent Convictions*, any Final Warnings, and Reprimands the individual has.
*Some minor convictions and cautions may not be included.
How Far Back Does a Standard DBS Check Go?
Standard DBS checks – as well as Basic and Enhanced checks – have no limit to how far back into a person’s history the police check. The police simply check as far back as they have records.
Do Arrests Show Up on DBS?
Unspent and spent convictions and cautions show up on a standard DBS check, but arrests would only show up on Enhanced DBS checks, at the local police’s discretion.
What’s the Difference Between Spent and Unspent Convictions?
What are Spent Convictions?
These are convictions, final warnings, and/or reprimands from the PNC that have passed a specific amount of time.
If spent, the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 suggests the individual should be treated as though the offences never happened.
What are Unspent Convictions?
These are convictions, final warnings, and/or reprimands from the PNC that have not passed a specific amount of time.
Some convictions will never become spent, for example, terrorism, or sexual offences.
What Is the Filtering of Convictions?
Not all convictions are required to be disclosed. Particular convictions and cautions are filtered out through the Filtering of Convictions, and these are not included in a Standard DBS check.
Filtering of Convictions
Convictions from the PNC are filtered as follows: A conviction that didn’t result in prison or a suspended prison sentence will not be disclosed in a Standard DBS Certificate after a period of eleven years from the date of the initial conviction has passed.
*If the conviction was received when the person was under 18 years of age, the period is halved to 5 and a half years.
You can see how long a specific conviction will take to be filtered using the table below:

Exceptions from the Filtering of Convictions
Filtering is nullified if there is more than one conviction on a person’s PNC record, and in this case, all convictions will be disclosed in a Standard DBS check. This rule does not apply to cautions, however. If they fit the filtering criteria, they will be filtered out, no matter how many there are.
For further information on the filtering of convictions, we have written a useful article you can access. Understanding The Filtering Of Convictions
What is the Difference Between Basic and Standard DBS Check?
A Basic DBS check will only display an individual’s unspent convictions, final warnings, and reprimands, whereas a Standard DBS check shows this, but also shows any spent convictions an individual may have.
Anyone can apply for a Basic DBS, but only an organisation or employer can apply for a Standard DBS Check.
How Long Does a Standard DBS Check Take?
A Standard DBS check will typically take around 5-10 working days on average, depending on what information the individual has to check.
If you are doing a DBS check through an online registered umbrella body, then the process will be significantly faster than a normal paper route.
What Jobs Require a Standard DBS Check?
The range of positions that require a Standard check is large, but some examples of positions that need a Standard DBS Check are Accountants, Probation Officers, Vets, and People working in the Legal Sector.
How Much is a Standard DBS Check?
A standard DBS check costs a flat government fee of £18, and then a fee on top to process it, often called an admin fee.
Is a Standard DBS Check Free for Volunteers?
Volunteers are eligible for a FREE Standard DBS check if they are to volunteer in a position that falls under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Volunteers needing a Standard DBS check do not get charged the DBS fee, only paying the small admin fee of the umbrella body.
What Documents Do You Need for a Standard DBS Check?
Some of the most used documents used when applying for a standard DBS check include a Passport, UK Driving Licence and a National Insurance Number.
There are a lot of documents that can be used, however, and a full list of these can be found on our required documents for a DBS application page.
Who Receives The Standard DBS Certificate?
The Standard DBS certificate is sent directly to the person being checked, and it is up to that individual to decide who can see their certificate.

Aaron’s Department Offers Low Price Standard DBS Checks for Organisations
Aaron’s Department is a DBS Umbrella Body that operates using a bespoke system that is directly connected to the UK Government’s gateway. Having this connection ensures the DBS results are returned promptly.

What Standard DBS Check Services Do We Offer?
Besides a direct link to the UK Government as an Umbrella Body, we offer:
- Low-cost Standard DBS check administrative fees, starting from £5.00.
- An error-proof system that identifies mistakes as you go along, ensuring your application is not returned by the DBS.
- 3 step free-of-charge registration – you can sign up and start getting your standard DBS results in just a few hours!
- Professional and knowledgeable customer support services ready to answer all your queries regarding DBS checks.
- Eligibility guidance, both on our website and through customer support.
- A built-in tracking system.
If that sounds like what you’re after, then create a company account and get started today! Or, if you have any more questions, ask away at contact@aaronsdepartment.com or +44 113 877 0171