Disclosure Act update – Five-year PVG scheme membership

1 April 2026

From 1 April 2026, if you apply to join the PVG scheme your scheme membership will last for five years from the date you join. If you are an existing scheme member and you make a PVG scheme application, your membership will automatically move to a five-year membership, ending your lifetime membership. 

Moving over to five-year membership 

In phases, current PVG scheme members will be moved by Disclosure Scotland from lifetime to five-year membership.  

No action is required from applicants or countersignatories (CSGs) for moving to the five-year membership, Disclosure Scotland will notify individuals directly. Existing PVG scheme members who do not make a PVG application after 1 April 2026 will not be immediately moved to the five-year scheme. 

This will be done in ‘join’ order, with those ‘joining’ the PVG scheme in 2011 being moved over first, working our way up to the most recent joiners.   

We will provide you with more information in the coming months when we expect this work to begin. 

There is no new action required or change to the current PVG scheme application process for individuals and organisations

Please do not apply for a PVG scheme application earlier than you would usually or change how often you would apply. The 1 April 2026 update does not impact your current application processes. You should continue to submit your applications as you normally would using the guidance on our website. 

Renewal of your PVG scheme membership every five-years 

Every five years, renewal of your PVG scheme membership will be required. Renewing your PVG scheme membership will be a separate process from submitting a PVG scheme application. 

Case studies 

Scenario 1 – New PVG scheme member joining after 1 April 2026 

Jordan submits an application to join the PVG scheme through his online account. His PVG scheme membership becomes active on 26 April 2026. Five years later, on 26 April 2031, he needs to renew his membership, to stay in the PVG scheme. 

Scenario 2 – Existing PVG scheme member submits application after 1 April 2026, and before Disclosure Scotland move them from lifetime to five-year membership 

Anna is a current PVG scheme member who joined in 2019. She submits an existing PVG scheme application through her online account. On 3 May 2026 she receives her PVG scheme disclosure. Anna will then be notified that she’s been moved to the five-year scheme. On 3 May 2031, she will need to renew her membership, to stay in the PVG scheme. 

Scenario 3 - PVG scheme member does not make an application on or after 1 April 2026, and need to be moved over by Disclosure Scotland at some point in the future 

Sam is a current PVG scheme member who joined in 2016. She has not submitted any subsequent PVG scheme applications. Disclosure Scotland will initiate this individuals PVG scheme membership moving over to the five-year membership in the future. Sam does not need to take any action until Disclosure Scotland contact her.