Disclosure Act update – Five-year PVG scheme membership

From 1 April 2026, new applicants joining the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme will keep their scheme membership for five years from the date they join. Existing scheme members making a PVG scheme application will automatically move to a five-year membership, ending their 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.   

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 a PVG scheme membership will be required. Renewing PVG scheme membership will be a separate process from submitting a PVG scheme application.