Key Takeaways
- Phlebotomists working with patients require an enhanced DBS check with a barred list check.
- The check is processed by the Disclosure and Barring Service and covers criminal records, cautions, and relevant police intelligence.
- Applications typically take 2 to 8 weeks, though most are completed within 14 days.
- Lola Dispatch verifies DBS status for every phlebotomist before they can accept jobs on the platform.
What Is the DBS?
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is a government body in England and Wales responsible for processing criminal record checks and maintaining the barred lists of individuals who are unsuitable to work with vulnerable groups. In Scotland, the equivalent is Disclosure Scotland (PVG scheme); in Northern Ireland, it is AccessNI.
DBS checks are a legal requirement for most healthcare roles where workers have direct contact with patients. They exist to protect the public, particularly children and vulnerable adults, from individuals who may pose a risk.
Levels of DBS Check
There are four levels of DBS check, each revealing progressively more information:
- Basic — shows unspent convictions only. Available to anyone for any purpose.
- Standard — shows spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings. Required for roles like security guards.
- Enhanced — everything on the standard check plus any relevant information held by local police forces. Required for most healthcare roles.
- Enhanced with barred list check — the most thorough level. Includes a check against the DBS children's and/or adults' barred lists. This is what phlebotomists need.
Why Phlebotomists Need an Enhanced DBS
Phlebotomists are classified as healthcare workers in "regulated activity" because they have direct physical contact with patients, including vulnerable adults and sometimes children. Under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, anyone working in regulated activity must have an enhanced DBS check with a barred list check.
This applies whether you work in an NHS hospital, a GP surgery, a private clinic, or as a mobile phlebotomist visiting patients at home. Employers are legally obligated to verify your DBS status before you start work.
How to Apply
You cannot apply for an enhanced DBS check yourself as an individual. The application must be submitted through a registered organisation — this is usually your employer, a training provider, or an umbrella body. The process works as follows:
- Your employer or registered body initiates the application online.
- You receive an email invitation to complete your personal details.
- You provide identity documents (passport, driving licence, utility bills, etc.).
- Your identity is verified, usually face-to-face.
- The application is submitted to the DBS.
- The DBS contacts relevant police forces and checks the barred lists.
- The certificate is sent directly to you by post. Your employer receives a confirmation of the result.
How Long Does It Take?
The DBS aims to process 80% of enhanced checks within 14 days and 90% within 60 days. In practice, most straightforward applications are completed within 2 to 3 weeks. However, delays can occur if:
- You have lived at multiple addresses (each police force must be contacted separately).
- There are common names requiring additional verification.
- A police force holds information that requires review before disclosure.
Cost
As of 2026, the standard fees are:
- Enhanced DBS check: £38.00
- Enhanced DBS with barred list check: £38.00
- DBS Update Service (annual subscription): £13.00
Many employers pay the DBS fee on your behalf. If you are applying through a training course or umbrella body, there may be an additional administration fee of £10 to £30.
The DBS Update Service
The DBS Update Service allows you to keep your certificate up to date for an annual fee of £13. Once subscribed, employers can carry out an instant online status check rather than requiring you to apply for a brand new certificate each time you change jobs.
This is highly recommended for phlebotomists, especially if you work with multiple agencies or on platforms like Lola Dispatch, where you may accept work from several healthcare providers. You must subscribe to the Update Service within 30 days of your DBS certificate being issued.
What Happens If You Have a Criminal Record?
Having a criminal record does not automatically prevent you from working as a phlebotomist. The DBS operates a filtering system that removes certain old or minor offences from certificates. Employers are required to assess each case individually, considering the nature of the offence, when it occurred, and its relevance to the role.
However, if you are on the adults' or children's barred list, you are legally prohibited from working in regulated activity. It is a criminal offence to apply for such work if you know you are barred.
DBS Verification on Lola Dispatch
At Lola Dispatch, every phlebotomist must provide proof of a valid enhanced DBS check before they can accept any jobs on the platform. We verify the certificate number, issue date, and — where the phlebotomist is subscribed to the Update Service — carry out an online status check. This ensures that every healthcare provider using Lola Dispatch can be confident that their phlebotomists have been properly vetted. Learn more about how to become a phlebotomist in the UK.
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