DBS Checks for Locum Healthcare Workers
What Is a DBS Check for Locum Healthcare Workers?
A DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check is a criminal record check. For locum healthcare professionals, including locum doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and allied health workers, a DBS check is a standard requirement for working in NHS trusts, GP practices, pharmacies, and other healthcare settings.
Most locum healthcare workers need an Enhanced DBS check with the appropriate Barred List check, as healthcare roles involve regular contact with vulnerable patients.
Do Locum Healthcare Workers Need a DBS Check?
Yes. NHS trusts, GP practices, pharmacies, and private healthcare providers all require locum staff to hold a current Enhanced DBS certificate. This applies regardless of your professional registration with bodies such as the GMC, NMC, or GPhC.
Professional registration confirms your qualifications and fitness to practise. A DBS check confirms your criminal record status. Both are required. They serve different purposes.
Apply for Your Locum DBS Check. Get your Enhanced DBS check as a locum healthcare professional fully online, digital ID verification, e-Bulk submitted today from self-employed-dbs.co.uk.
Until 21 January 2026, locum healthcare professionals typically relied on locum agencies or NHS employers to process their DBS applications. Self-employed locums working independently had difficulty accessing Enhanced checks without an employer.
From 21 January 2026, self-employed healthcare workers can apply for Enhanced DBS checks through a registered platform. This is particularly valuable for locums who work across multiple settings and want a portable, independently obtained certificate.
Read more in our guide to DBS changes in 2025 and 2026.
What Type of DBS Check Does a Locum Healthcare Worker Need?
Enhanced DBS with Adults’ Barred List for most healthcare roles involving adult patient care.
Enhanced DBS with Children’s Barred List for roles involving paediatric care.
Enhanced DBS with both Barred Lists if you work across both adult and paediatric settings.
The correct level depends on your patient population. Read more about Enhanced DBS checks.
How to Get a DBS Check as a Self-Employed Locum
You can now apply independently without relying on an agency or NHS employer to sponsor the application.
Check eligibility
Healthcare workers in patient-facing roles are eligible for Enhanced with Barred List.
Register an account
Self-employed locums can apply directly through our platform.
Complete application
Personal details, 5 years of addresses, and your healthcare role information.
Verify your identity
Digitally via biometric passport or EU ID card, or with standard documents.
Receive certificate
Posted directly to you. Present to NHS trusts, practices, and healthcare providers.
How Long Does a DBS Check Take for Locum Healthcare Workers?
Enhanced DBS checks typically complete within 14 days via e-Bulk. The DBS Update Service is particularly valuable for locums, allowing each new placement to verify your certificate instantly.
Read more about how long a DBS check takes.
How Much Does a DBS Check Cost for a Locum?
The DBS statutory fee for an Enhanced check is £49.50.
See all fees on our DBS check costs for self-employed page.
This guide applies to locum healthcare workers in England and Wales only. In Scotland, apply through Disclosure Scotland. In Northern Ireland, the equivalent service is AccessNI. This page is for guidance only and does not constitute legal advice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most popular questions we get about DBS Checks and our Platform
Do locum doctors need a DBS check?
Yes. NHS trusts and GP practices require locum doctors to hold a current Enhanced DBS certificate, separate from GMC registration.
Do locum pharmacists need a DBS check?
Yes. Pharmacies and NHS trusts require an Enhanced DBS check for locum pharmacists, separate from GPhC registration.
Can I use my agency DBS check independently?
If you subscribed to the DBS Update Service when your agency processed the check, you can use it portably. Otherwise, you may need a new application.
Do I need a new DBS for each placement?
Not with the DBS Update Service. Each placement can verify your existing certificate online. This is particularly valuable for locums who work across multiple settings.
Is my professional registration a substitute for a DBS check?
No. GMC, NMC, GPhC, and HCPC registration confirms your qualifications. A DBS check confirms your criminal record status. Healthcare settings require both.
Which Barred List check do I need?
Adults’ Barred List for adult-only settings, Children’s Barred List for paediatric settings, or both if you work across both populations.
How long is a DBS certificate valid?
No official expiry date. Most NHS trusts expect a certificate less than three years old, or an active DBS Update Service subscription.