Run BPSS Checks on Candidates and Meet All Baseline Personnel Security Standard Requirements

The Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) verification is a pre-employment screening process used in the UK to ensure individuals are trustworthy and suitable for work in sensitive or government-related roles. It involves checking identity, employment history, nationality and immigration status, and any unspent criminal convictions.

A BPSS check typically takes 5 to 10 working days to complete, depending on how quickly the required documentation and references are provided. Delays can occur if there are issues verifying employment history or identity.

BPSS Check stands for Baseline Personnel Security Standard. It is a UK government standard for pre-employment screening to ensure individuals are eligible and suitable for roles involving sensitive information or access to government assets.

The purpose of the BPSS Check is to reduce the risk of identity fraud, verify an individual’s right to work in the UK, and assess their integrity and reliability before they are employed in roles that involve access to sensitive data or government facilities.

The BPSS check covers four key areas:

1. Identity verification

2. Right to work in the UK

3. Employment history (last 3 years)

4. Criminal record check (unspent convictions)

The BPSS requirements are:

• Valid proof of identity (passport, driving licence)

• Proof of right to work in the UK

• A detailed 3-year employment history

• Disclosure of any unspent criminal convictions

You cannot check your BPSS status yourself like a certificate. If you’ve gone through BPSS screening, your employer or the organisation that carried out the check should confirm whether you’ve passed. There is no central database or public record of BPSS clearance.

BPSS clearance is the UK government’s minimum level of pre-employment screening. It verifies an individual’s identity, criminal record (unspent convictions), right to work in the UK, and recent employment history to ensure they are trustworthy for non-national security roles.

To pass BPSS security clearance, you must provide:

• Valid proof of identity

• Evidence of right to work in the UK

• A full 3-year employment history

• Disclosure of any unspent criminal convictions

Ensure all information is accurate and complete, with no unexplained gaps in history.

BPSS is the baseline level of UK security clearance, required for access to government facilities, sensitive information, and public sector roles. It is not a national security clearance but a mandatory check for trusted roles.

• BPSS is basic screening for all public-sector employees and contractors.

• SC (Security Check) is a higher-level national security clearance used for roles with access to secret government data.
  SC includes BPSS plus financial checks, references, and detailed vetting.

BPSS clearance is required for anyone working within or on behalf of a UK government department, including civil servants, members of the armed forces, temporary staff, and government contractors. This standard is a prerequisite for accessing government assets and is the foundation for higher levels of security clearance like SC (Security Check).

BPSS clearance requires the following:

• Valid photo ID (passport, driving licence)

• Proof of right to work in the UK

• 3 years’ employment or activity history

• Disclosure of any unspent criminal convictions

• Address history (as needed by the employer)

The cost of BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standard) clearance is expected from £85 to £115 excluding VAT. However, the final price can vary based on the provider, the complexity of the individual’s background, and whether additional services are included. Call us for a quote!