The Six-Month
Clearance Clock
Since 13 July 2026 a police officer candidate's vetting clearance has a shelf life. It must have been granted by the force in the six months ending with the day you start. Enter your dates to see whether they fit, when the window closes and what to do if your start date moves.
Independent information, not advice · Sources checked 21 October 2026 · England and Wales unless stated
Six months. A police candidate must not be appointed unless they hold clearance granted by that force within the six months ending with the date of appointment (reg 4B(1)). If the start date slips beyond six months from the grant, you must reapply (reg 4C(2)). Clearance granted on 1 January covers a start up to 30 June.
Six-month clearance clock
Since 13 July 2026 a police officer candidate's vetting clearance must have been granted by the force in the six months ending with the day they are appointed. Check whether your dates fit. Your dates stay on this device.
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The six-month rule in the regulations
SI 2026/653 inserted a new Part 1A into the Police (Vetting) Regulations 2025 for "police candidates": people seeking appointment to a police force, not including officers transferring between forces. Three provisions set the clock.
| Regulation | What it says, in short |
|---|---|
| 4B(1) | A candidate must not be appointed unless they hold clearance granted by the appointing force within the period of 6 months ending with the date of appointment. |
| 4B(2) | You can only apply for clearance after completing the recruitment stages in reg 10(1)(eb) of the Police Regulations 2003 (the national application form, the national sift, the online assessment and the force interview). |
| 4C(1) | The force must carry out the vetting assessment as close as reasonably practicable to the date of appointment, and in any event within the six months ending with that date. |
| 4C(2) | If the appointment is postponed so that more than six months pass between the grant and the appointment, the candidate must reapply. |
| 4B(4) | When it grants clearance, the force must specify its renewal date and may attach conditions. |
| 4B(5) | A candidate who has applied or been cleared must promptly report any change which may reasonably affect suitability. |
Worked examples
| Clearance granted | Start date | Inside the window? |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | 30 June | Yes, the last day covered |
| 1 January | 1 July | No: more than six months. Reapply |
| 15 August | 14 February | Yes, the last day covered |
| 1 September | 1 March | No, by one day |
The six months begin with the day clearance is granted and end the day before the same date six months later. Where the later month is shorter (a grant on 31 August), we stop at the last day of February and step back a day. The regulations do not give worked examples, so if your dates are within a week of the line, ask the force.
If your start date slips
Start dates move for ordinary reasons: a fitness retake, a medical referral, an intake being merged or a training course being moved. Under the 2026 rules each of those can now push you outside your six months.
- Ask the force, in writing, for your new start date as soon as you hear it may move.
- Put the original grant date and the new start date into the clock above.
- If you fall outside the window, ask how and when the force will run your new vetting application. You must reapply (reg 4C(2)), so the earlier you ask, the less risk of a further delay.
- Keep copies of everything you declared the first time, so your new form is consistent. Any differences will be noticed.
A failed fitness test is a common cause. Our guide to failing the police fitness test covers retakes, and the force fitness rules finder shows the retake gaps each force publishes.
Reporting changes while you wait
Regulation 4B(5) puts the duty on you: report promptly any change in your personal circumstances, or any other matter, which may reasonably affect your suitability. The Home Office memorandum adds that failing to disclose this information may affect your clearance (para 5.10).
- a new partner, or someone new living with you;
- being arrested, interviewed or investigated, whatever the outcome;
- a county court judgment, default, IVA or bankruptcy;
- a change of address, name or nationality status;
- anything you remember that you left off the form.
If you are unsure, tell them. The regulations leave the judgement about suitability with the force; the safer course is to let them make it with full information.
Cleared before 13 July 2026 and not yet started
The transitional rule is regulation 28 of SI 2026/653. Where a force granted clearance before 13 July 2026 without having carried out all the checks in a "vetting application assessment", and the candidate was not appointed before that date, the force may only appoint the candidate after it has carried out those checks and remains satisfied that the candidate is suitable. The clock flags this when your grant date is before 13 July 2026 and your start date is after it.
Who the clock applies to
The clock applies to police officer candidates on every entry route. The Home Office says the 2026 rules cover special constables as well as police officers. Check with your force. It does not apply to a serving officer transferring between forces (the transfer rules are separate), or to PCSOs and police staff, whose vetting follows force policy and the College's guidance.
Vetting updates
Vetting rule changes, explained for applicants
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long is police vetting valid before you start?
For a police officer candidate, since 13 July 2026 the clearance must have been granted by the appointing force within the six months ending with the date you are appointed (Police (Vetting) Regulations 2025, reg 4B(1)). If your appointment is postponed so that more than six months pass between the grant and your start, you must reapply (reg 4C(2)).
What happens if my police start date is delayed past six months?
The regulations say you must reapply for vetting clearance. In practice ask the force as soon as you know the date is moving: it can plan a fresh vetting application assessment so that a new clearance is in place before your new start date.
Why is my vetting being done so close to my start date?
Because the regulations require it. The force must carry out the assessment as close as reasonably practicable to the date of appointment, and in any event within the six months ending with that date (reg 4C(1)). A late vetting decision is a feature of the rules, not a sign of a problem.
I was cleared before 13 July 2026 but have not started. Do I need vetting again?
Possibly. If the force granted clearance before 13 July 2026 without carrying out all the checks the new rules require, and you were not appointed by that date, it can only appoint you after carrying out those checks and remaining satisfied you are suitable (SI 2026/653, reg 28). Ask the force.
Do I have to tell the force about changes after I am cleared?
Yes. A candidate who has applied for or been granted clearance must promptly notify the force of any change in personal circumstances, or any other matter, which may reasonably affect their suitability (reg 4B(5)). Examples include a new partner or co-resident, an arrest, a county court judgment or a change of address.
Does the six-month rule apply to PCSOs?
No. The candidate rules in the Police (Vetting) Regulations cover people seeking appointment to a police force as officers. The Home Office says the 2026 rules cover special constables as well. PCSOs and police staff follow their force's vetting policy.
Does the clock count the day of the grant?
Yes, on our reading. The six months begin with the day clearance is granted, so clearance granted on 1 January covers an appointment up to and including 30 June. If your dates are within a week of the line, ask the force how it counts.
Sources and how we checked them
Every factual claim on this page was written from the sources below, read on 21 October 2026. Rules and figures change, so check the source for the date you are reading this. Where we could not confirm something from an official or independent source, the page says so rather than guessing. Spotted something out of date? See our corrections policy.
- The Police (Vetting) Regulations 2025 (SI 2025/502), latest revised text : reg 4B (requirement to hold clearance granted within the 6 months ending with appointment; duty to report changes), reg 4C (timing; reapply if appointment slips) (accessed 21 October 2026)
- The Police (Conduct and Vetting etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/653), as made : reg 15 inserts Part 1A (regs 4B to 4H); reg 28 transitional re-check for clearances granted before 13 July 2026 (accessed 21 October 2026)
- Explanatory Memorandum to SI 2026/653 (Home Office) : para 5.10: candidates must hold clearance to be appointed and must report changes; para 5.8: applies with special constables, not staff (accessed 21 October 2026)
- Police Regulations 2003, regulation 10 (qualifications for appointment), latest version : reg 10(1)(eb): the recruitment stages a candidate must complete before applying for vetting; reg 10(1)(hb): must hold vetting clearance (accessed 21 October 2026)
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Disclaimer
PolicePay.co.uk is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with the College of Policing, the Home Office or any police force and it does not recruit, vet or assess applicants. Recruitment standards, assessment formats and vetting decisions are set by the College of Policing and each force and change from time to time: check the force you are applying to before relying on anything here. Details apply to England and Wales unless stated. Details are as checked on 21 October 2026.