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Criminal record checks for engineers; in 2026 and beyond

Prospective criminal record engineer

I already have a masters degree, and unfortunately a criminal record (all spent). Since I have a degree, I can only study part time, and would like to .study civil engineering part-time at the OU, which will take eight years. 

Obviously this is a big commitment, so I'd liked to get some idea of what my prospects would be on the other side.

What are the criminal record checks like for engineers?  Because it seems that there has been an increase in firms performing enhanced DBS checks, despite not being legally entitled to.

Do all civil engineers need security clearance at some point in their careers? 

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    During the IET Engineering Council registration process there is a box to sign that, normally, says that you don't have a criminal record. Those that do have some form of record are asked to identify (to appropriate admin folks) what the record is, as many are simply noted (e.g. some driving offences). 

    There will be other offences that will preclude being trusted (e.g. fraud?) as a professional engineer. There are likely to also be other offences (e.g. those covered by 'safeguarding') where you may not get employment in some sectors.

    As a very rough guide, if you can't discuss the spent record with relevant professionals then it's likely to be a problem. It also will depend on the level of responsibility you hope to hold and the commensurate registration category. Spent convictions are generally 'spent'.

    The biggest advice is to talk directly to the appropriate registration authority, be that the IET (Technologists) or the ICE (Civils).

  • 0 in reply to Philip Oakley

    You may not know that some sorts of  spent convictions are not shown on some levels of DBS (or CRB check as it is called in some older literature).


    The basic check does not show spent convictions but the enhanced ones (required for example to work unsupervised in a school or to become a youth leader) do.

    Some offences, like violent attacks and more serious sexual offences are 'sticky' and remain on-record pretty much for ever.

    Some material is filtered from even the enhanced checks as being too minor - offences when below 18 or things that only justified a written warning/ police caution , and as above more , fines / speed awareness courses for example for traffic offences where no-one got hurt.

    Generally when a check is done, you get a copy of the information as well as the company applying, so you can see what has been said.

    Not sure how much that helps. 

    Mike

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  • 0 in reply to Philip Oakley

    You may not know that some sorts of  spent convictions are not shown on some levels of DBS (or CRB check as it is called in some older literature).


    The basic check does not show spent convictions but the enhanced ones (required for example to work unsupervised in a school or to become a youth leader) do.

    Some offences, like violent attacks and more serious sexual offences are 'sticky' and remain on-record pretty much for ever.

    Some material is filtered from even the enhanced checks as being too minor - offences when below 18 or things that only justified a written warning/ police caution , and as above more , fines / speed awareness courses for example for traffic offences where no-one got hurt.

    Generally when a check is done, you get a copy of the information as well as the company applying, so you can see what has been said.

    Not sure how much that helps. 

    Mike

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