BPSS Clearance – A Complete Guide from UK Employee Checks.
What is BPSS Clearance?
05-09-2025 – BPSS clearance or the Baseline Personnel Security Standard is the UK government’s standard for pre-employment background screening. It is designed to verify the identity, right to work, and trustworthiness of individuals before granting them access to sensitive government information or secure sites.
At UK Employee Checks, we specialise in delivering BPSS checks quickly, efficiently, and in full compliance with UK security requirements. Our goal is to help employers hire with confidence while meeting all necessary security standards.
Why is BPSS Important?
BPSS acts as the first level of security screening. It helps ensure that individuals are:
- Who they claim to be (identity verification)
- Legally allowed to work in the UK (right to work checks)
- Trustworthy (employment history checks)
It is a mandatory requirement for many government and defence-related roles, as well as contractors working with secure information.
What Does a BPSS Check Involve?
BPSS Clearance involves the following checks:
- Identity Verification – Confirming your legal name, date of birth, and proof of address.
- Right to Work Check – Ensuring legal eligibility to work in the UK.
- Employment History Check – Reviewing the last 3 years of employment history and verifying references.
- Basic Disclosure to confirm no unspent convictions.
Who Needs a BPSS Check?
You may require BPSS clearance if you work in:
- UK Government Departments
- Ministry of Defence
- Security or Intelligence Agencies
- Defence Contractors and Subcontractors
- IT, Cybersecurity, and Data Handling roles with secure systems access
Even if BPSS is not legally required, many organisations adopt it as a best practice pre-employment screening measure.
How UK Employee Checks Delivers BPSS Clearance
At UK Employee Checks, we offer a streamlined BPSS clearance process:
- Fast turnaround – possible results within 24–48 hours
- Fixed pricing – clear, competitive rates with no hidden costs
- Fully compliant – meeting UK government baseline security requirements
- Digital process – simple online submissions, secure data handling
We understand that hiring decisions often need to be made quickly, so our BPSS clearance service is designed to be efficient and reliable.
BPSS Cost
Our BPSS clearance service is available for £89.50, with results available in as little as 24–48 hours. This ensures you can move forward with recruitment without delays.
Why Choose UK Employee Checks?
- Specialist in pre-employment screening
- Fully compliant with UK security standards
- Transparent, fast, and professional service
- Trusted by employers across multiple sectors
With UK Employee Checks, you can be confident that your BPSS clearance will be handled securely, quickly, and accurately.
Get Started Today
If your organisation requires BPSS checks for new hires or contractors, UK Employee Checks is here to help. Contact our team today to start the process and ensure your workforce meets the UK’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard.
Contact us now to arrange your BPSS clearance and make your hiring process faster, safer, and fully compliant.
Sectors That Require BPSS Clearance
While BPSS is mandatory for certain government and defence roles, many industries choose to implement it as best practice. Sectors include:
- UK Government and Civil Service
- Ministry of Defence (MOD)
- Aerospace and Defence Contractors
- Cybersecurity and IT Infrastructure
- Security, Intelligence, and Counter-Terrorism Roles
- Contractors working on secure sites
Even if your organisation isn’t directly linked to government work, BPSS clearance can strengthen your recruitment process and protect sensitive business data.
No Registration Fee, Contracts or Minimum number of screenings required – Pay As You Check Service.
Please visit our contact page to request this screening standard, known as BPSS Clearance, or call us today on 01372 279 276 if you require more information. Account setup can be carried out in a matter of minutes to allow you to process your BPSS applications today!
Turnaround time – Possible results in 24hrs via our E-form online portal for BPSS Clearance applications.
We operate an online platform which applicants can use to complete and submit their BPSS applications with ease and convenience. Clients are also then able to use our online platform to track the progress of applications we have received.
We are Proud to give something back so……
As an incentive for new clients to work with UK Employee Checks on request we promise to donate a percentage of our initial BPSS screening fee to the charity of your choice in your name. If you do not have a charitable organisation associated with your company we would be delighted to make a donation in your company name to our chosen charity Cancer Research. Feel free to call us for more information on the Baseline Personnel Security Standard and other services.
Frequently Asked Questions About BPSS Clearance.
1. What is BPSS clearance?
BPSS Check (Baseline Personnel Security Standard) is a pre-employment check required in the UK for employees who will work in sensitive or secure roles. This screening ensures that individuals are trustworthy, reliable, and suitable for access to specific levels of secure information or environments.
2. Is the Baseline Personnel Security Standard clearance expensive?
BPSS clearance is typically covered by the employer and prices vary depending on the screening provider. The cost of a BPSS check via us is £89.50, with results potentially available within 24 to 48 hours. Please visit our contact page to request a no obligation quote.
3. Who needs BPSS clearance?
BPSS Checks are usually required for government employees, contractors, and personnel in certain industries like IT, defense, finance, and others who may have access to sensitive information or secure facilities.
4. What does the Baseline Personnel Security Standard clearance involve?
BPSS clearance involves four main checks, identity verification, right-to-work check, criminal record check, and employment history verification. These ensure the candidate’s eligibility and trustworthiness for sensitive roles.
5. How long does a BPSS check take?
BPSS clearance can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on how quickly the required documentation is provided and verified.
6. How does BPSS differ from other security clearances?
BPSS is a baseline security check, whereas other clearances (e.g., SC, DV) involve more extensive background checks. BPSS is the minimum standard for secure roles, while higher clearances are required for greater access to classified information.
7. Is BPSS clearance the same as a DBS check?
No. While a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is part of BPSS, BPSS also includes identity verification, right-to-work checks, and employment history checks.
8. How long is the Baseline Personnel Security Standard clearance valid for?
BPSS clearance is generally valid for the duration of the individual’s employment in the role it was conducted for, though organizations may conduct periodic reviews.
9. Can I transfer Baseline Personnel Security Standard clearance to a new job?
BPSS clearance is typically not transferable between jobs or employers. Each organisation may require new BPSS checks upon hiring.
10. Can I Carry out a BPSS Check on myself?
No, You cannot carry out a BPSS check on yourself. The reason for this is because we require a Sponsor to confirm that you will be working in an environment which requires BPSS Clearance.
