How long does an FA DBS check last, and can someone keep volunteering while it's renewed?

An FA DBS check lasts three years. To be "in date" it must have been completed within the last three years and be valid for the current season.

Renewals: someone renewing can keep working with children and young people as long as the renewal has been submitted to the DBS and shows as "in progress" on The FA's Club Portal. If it has expired and no renewal is in progress, they must stop any unsupervised work with under-18s until a new check is accepted.

Tracking: the Club Portal shows each person's DBS status, the issue date of their latest certificate and its expiry date. Club Welfare Officers, assistant Welfare Officers and club secretaries can use it to see who needs to renew.

Moving role or club: an in-date FA Accepted DBS check carries over to a new role or a new club within grassroots football, so no new check is needed until it expires.

Welfare Officers themselves must hold an accepted FA DBS check less than three years old to attend the Welfare Officer Course.