Helping you understand your changing PVG scheme membership
From 1 April 2026, the PVG scheme membership is changing.
23 March 2026 – Disclosure Scotland published commonly asked questions and answers, to help people understand the upcoming changes to the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme.
From 1 April 2026, new applicants joining the PVG scheme will become scheme members for five years from the date they join.
Commonly asked questions
- Will there be an extra cost to the change coming in on 1 April 2026? - No. There will be no additional cost when applying for the PVG scheme or the separate renewal process.
- Does the 1 April 2026 update change how organisations and individuals should apply for the PVG scheme? - No. The update does not change how organisations or individuals submit applications. Organisations and individuals should continue to apply as they normally do and should not apply earlier or more often than usual.
- How long is lifetime PVG scheme membership valid for? - Lifetime PVG scheme membership remains until an individual makes a new PVG scheme application after 1 April 2026 or is moved into the five-year PVG scheme by Disclosure Scotland.
- Will individuals be notified when their PVG membership is due to expire? - Yes. Disclosure Scotland will notify members at least three months before their membership is due to end. Organisations with an interest in the member will also be informed.
- Do people who already hold PVG scheme membership need to reapply because of the upcoming update? - No. Existing PVG scheme members do not need to reapply. Their current membership remains valid. They will be moved to the five-year PVG membership in phases after 1 April 2026.
More frequently asked questions and information is available on the Disclosure Scotland website.
Notes to editors
About Disclosure Scotland
Disclosure Scotland is an executive agency of the Scottish Government. They help organisations make safer decisions when they are recruiting people.
They manage the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme, which helps to ensure that people who are unsuitable to work with children and protected adults cannot carry out a regulated role with these vulnerable groups.
The Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 made the PVG scheme a legal requirement in Scotland from 1 April 2025, for those individuals who are to carry out a regulated role.