A “CRB check” is the former name commonly used for a criminal-record check in England and Wales. The Criminal Records Bureau no longer issues new checks; current applications and certificates are handled by the Disclosure and Barring Service, so the accurate modern term is a DBS check.
The definition matters when reading an old policy, job advert or tutor profile. Sometimes “CRB” is harmless legacy wording. Sometimes it signals that a certificate is old, in which case its date, level and relevance to the present role need closer attention.
Check the next step for tutors
The distinction that matters
For this particular question, start by translate CRB into DBS when looking for current official guidance. CRB wording remains common, but it should not obscure the current process. A document only reports information available under the rules and at the time it was issued. It should be matched to the holder and considered alongside the duties, check level and present safeguarding arrangements.
A realistic tutoring example
A school asks a tutor to bring a “recent CRB”. The tutor should not search for a separate CRB application form. They should ask which DBS level and workforce the school requires, whether the school will start the application, and whether an existing Update Service certificate is acceptable.
Make the decision auditable
Review CRB Check Definition in two passes. In the evidence pass, translate CRB into DBS when looking for current official guidance and ask for the required check level instead of assuming every CRB request means Enhanced. In the action pass, check the certificate issue date and the role for which it was obtained and treat the certificate as one recruitment check, not a guarantee of suitability. Keeping those passes separate prevents urgency from changing what the document or status actually proves.
A reviewer should then be able to answer Can I apply for a new CRB check? The answer supported here is: No. A new application uses the DBS system and terminology. If the evidence on file cannot support that statement, record what is missing and choose a proportionate interim safeguard instead of filling the gap with confidence.
Questions this wording often leaves unanswered
Can I apply for a new CRB check?
No. A new application uses the DBS system and terminology.
Is every old CRB certificate invalid?
There is no universal expiry date, but an old certificate is only a snapshot from its issue date and may not meet the organisation’s current policy.
Does CRB always mean Enhanced?
No. The old phrase is often used loosely, so the requested level must be clarified.
After completing both review passes for CRB Check Definition, move to the tutor application page only when a new check is the identified action. A missing reference or delayed certificate may require a different remedy.