Each industry sector has its own rules and regulations regarding employee background checks.
In this article, we detail the most common form of background checks you can expect to find in each industry. For clarification or more information, please email contact@ebcglobal.co.uk
Administrative and Support Services
| Right to Work | Yes (mandatory) |
| Criminal Record | Basic DBS check recommended |
| Credit Check | Yes, if the candidate is handling monies or financial data/information |
| DVLA | Only if the candidate is driving on behalf of the company |
| Sanctions Search | No |
Agriculture
| Right to Work | Yes (mandatory) |
| Criminal Record | Basic DBS check |
| Credit Check | No, but credit checks are recommended (if proportionate to the role) |
| DVLA | Yes, if the candidate is operating vehicles or driving on behalf of the company |
| Sanctions Search | No |
| Other | Machinery licence checks |
Arts, Entertainment and Recreation
| Right to Work | Yes (mandatory) |
| Criminal Record | A basic DBS check is required. An enhanced check is required if the candidate will be entertaining or working with children and/or vulnerable adults |
| Credit Check | Yes, if the candidate is handling monies or financial data/information |
| DVLA | Only if the candidate is driving on behalf of the company |
| Sanctions Search | No |
Aviation
| Right to Work | Yes (mandatory) |
| Criminal Record | Basic DBS check |
| Credit Check | Recommended, but not essential |
| DVLA | Only if the candidate is driving on behalf of the company |
| Sanctions Search | Yes |
| Other | A 5-year background check of the candidate is required. Drug testing and medical checks are required for certain roles (e.g., pilots) |
Care Work
| Right to Work | Yes (mandatory) |
| Criminal Record | A DBS enhanced and barring check is required |
| Credit Check | Recommended, but not essential |
| DVLA | Only if the candidate is driving on behalf of the company |
| Sanctions Search | No |
| Other | Manual handling certificate checks (rare) |
Construction
| Right to Work | Yes (mandatory) |
| Criminal Record | Basic DBS check |
| Credit Check | Recommended, but not essential |
| DVLA | Only if the candidate is driving on behalf of the company |
| Sanctions Search | No |
Education
| Right to Work | Yes (mandatory) |
| Criminal Record | DBS enhanced and barring |
| Credit Check | Recommended, but not essential |
| DVLA | Only if the candidate is driving on behalf of the company |
| Sanctions Search | No |
Energy
| Right to Work | Yes (mandatory) |
| Criminal Record | A basic DBS check is required |
| Credit Check | Recommended, but not essential |
| DVLA | Only if the candidate is driving on behalf of the company |
| Sanctions Search | No |
Finance
| Right to Work | Yes (mandatory) |
| Criminal Record | A basic or standard check is required. This depends on the type of role (click here for more info). |
| Credit Check | Yes |
| DVLA | Only if the candidate is driving on behalf of the company |
| Sanctions Search | Recommended for senior and director level roles |
Government (also known as a BPSS Check)
All government roles require the candidate to undergo a BPSS check. Official guidance can be found here.
| Right to Work | Yes (mandatory) |
| Criminal Record | Basic DBS check |
| Credit Check | Yes |
| DVLA | Only if the candidate is driving on behalf of the company |
| Sanctions Search | No |
| Other | A 3-5 year employment background check (including gap periods) is required |
Healthcare
| Right to Work | Yes (mandatory) |
| Criminal Record | DBS enhanced and barring check |
| Credit Check | Recommended, but not essential |
| DVLA | Only if the candidate is driving on behalf of the company |
| Sanctions Search | No |
| Other | Depending on the role, an NMC Pin check, BRP Checks, Passport Checks and GMC Checks are required |
Hospitality
| Right to Work | Yes (mandatory) |
| Criminal Record | Basic DBS check |
| Credit Check | Recommended if the candidate is handling monies and/or financial information |
| DVLA | Only if the candidate is driving on behalf of the company |
| Sanctions Search | No |
IT
| Right to Work | Yes (mandatory) |
| Criminal Record | Basic DBS check |
| Credit Check | Highly recommended |
| DVLA | Only if the candidate is driving on behalf of the company |
| Sanctions Search | No |
| Other | Cyber and/or information security training checks |
Manufacturing
| Right to Work | Yes (mandatory) |
| Criminal Record | Basic DBS check recommended |
| Credit Check | Recommended, but not essential |
| DVLA | Only if the candidate is driving on behalf of the company |
| Sanctions Search | No |
Mining and Quarrying
| Right to Work | Yes (mandatory) |
| Criminal Record | Basic DBS check |
| Credit Check | Recommended, but not essential |
| DVLA | Only if the candidate is driving on behalf of the company |
| Sanctions Search | No |
| Other | Licence checks (for specific machinery). Drug testing and medical checks are required for certain roles. |
Real Estate / Property
| Right to Work | Yes (mandatory) |
| Criminal Record | Basic DBS check for most roles. Standard DBS checks are required for licensed conveyancers |
| Credit Check | Yes, if the candidate has access to financial data/information |
| DVLA | Yes, for estate agents who travel to different properties on a regular basis. Also, if the candidate will driving on behalf of the company |
| Sanctions Search | No |
Science and Technology
| Right to Work | Yes (mandatory) |
| Criminal Record | Basic DBS checks for most roles. Forensic scientists require an enhanced DBS check |
| Credit Check | Recommended, but not essential |
| DVLA | Only if the candidate is driving on behalf of the company |
| Sanctions Search | No |
Security
Social Work
| Right to Work | Yes (mandatory) |
| Criminal Record | DBS enhanced and barring check |
| Credit Check | Recommended, but not essential |
| DVLA | Only if the candidate is driving on behalf of the company |
| Sanctions Search | No |
| Other | Licence checks (if applicable) |
Transportation and Logistics
| Right to Work | Yes (mandatory) |
| Criminal Record | DBS enhanced and barring check |
| Credit Check | Recommended, but not essential |
| DVLA | Mandatory, if the individual will be driving for the company) |
| Sanctions Search | No |
Veterinary
| Right to Work | Yes (mandatory) |
| Criminal Record | Standard DBS check |
| Credit Check | Recommended, but not essential |
| DVLA | Only if the candidate is driving on behalf of the company |
| Sanctions Search | No |
| Other | Veterinary and medical licence checks |
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