What we do

The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), an executive agency of the Home Office, provides wider access to criminal record information through its checking service.

The CRB searches police records and, in relevant cases, information held by the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) and issues a CRB certificate to the applicant and employer to help them to make an informed recruitment decision.

CRB checks are only available where an employer is entitled to ask exempted questions under the Exceptions Order to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. The Exceptions Order acts as the gateway for access to the CRB checking service and lists those occupations, professions and positions considered to be exempt from the ROA.

The checking service currently offers two levels of CRB check, standard and enhanced. The order allows for applications to be submitted to a standard level. To qualify for the higher level of CRB check, the position must also meet one of the criteria set out in The Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) Regulations.

The CRB recognises that information released on CRB certificates can be extremely sensitive and personal. Therefore a code of practice for recipients of CRB certificates has been developed to ensure that any information they contain is handled fairly and used properly.