You cannot apply for a new CRB certificate because CRB was replaced by DBS. For a new check in England and Wales, identify the current DBS level and use the route that matches it.
The term CRB still appears in everyday questions, but CRB was replaced by DBS, so modern guidance normally appears under DBS wording.
Ready to prepare the right application?
Confirm the check level and who is entitled to initiate it before entering personal details.
Quick takeaways
- Use the official route that matches the level of check.
- Keep the process simple by getting the identity step right first.
- Check whether the role is eligible before chasing a higher level.
- Always look at what the certificate actually shows, not just what someone says it shows.
How the application route works
You can apply for a Basic DBS check yourself. Standard and Enhanced checks are role-specific and normally go through an employer, registered body, or eligible umbrella route. That is the first rule that decides your route.
For tutors, the key admin question is who is entitled to start the application. A person can often arrange their own Basic check, but higher-level routes depend on the role and the route used.
- Confirm the level you need.
- Use the correct route for that level.
- Complete identity checks carefully.
- Keep the reference number for tracking.
The identity and form step
For Standard and Enhanced applications, applicants are encouraged to give full details, including all previous names and a full 5-year address history. The ID guidance uses a route-based process and increasingly encourages digital identity checks where suitable documents are available.
This is the stage where preventable delays happen. The more complete the name and address history, the easier it is for the application to move cleanly through validation.
If somebody has asked you for a CRB certificate
Ask whether they want to inspect an existing historic certificate or want you to obtain a current check. For a new application, restate the request using Basic, Standard or Enhanced DBS language and confirm who is authorised to begin it.
If an old certificate is being presented, describe it as an old CRB certificate rather than implying it was newly issued. The person relying on it must decide whether it is suitable for the present role. A current application, where requested, ends with a DBS certificate issued to the applicant; Standard and Enhanced certificates are normally posted to them.
Continue with the confirmed route
Use the application link after the level, identity method and route are clear.
Common mistakes during the application stage
If your goal is to get the certificate in your hand, remember that the certificate is the end of the process, not the first step. The quality of the application stage affects how quickly and cleanly that final document arrives.
Once issued, Standard and Enhanced certificates are normally posted to the applicant, who then shows the original to the person or organisation relying on it.
When to move on from research
Once you understand the route, the next question is whether you want to keep researching or actually move into a tutor-focused application path.
Do not guess: confirm the level and initiating route before submitting the form.
Common questions
Is a new CRB certificate still issued?
No. New applications in England and Wales use DBS terminology.
Can an old CRB certificate be renamed as an Enhanced DBS?
No. Use the level and wording shown on the actual document.
Does the organisation receive a Standard or Enhanced certificate first?
The certificate is normally sent to the applicant, who presents the original to the person relying on it.
What should I do if the certificate does not arrive?
Use the official support and reprint guidance for the application rather than ordering a different check immediately.
What to do next
Open the application route when you are ready to submit accurate details.