Your Vetting Checks | Checkatrade
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Stuck or need help? Call 0333 014 6190 to get in touch with one of our vetting agents. Lines open 8am–10:30pm Monday to Friday, 8am–8pm Saturday and Sunday.

Your application

Your vetting checks

To join our platform, we need to complete a few checks. These steps are about proving your identity, showing that your business has a good trading history and ensuring you have the necessary experience and qualification to carry out your trade safely and professionally.

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Get everything ready before you start

Clear, complete and up-to-date documents help us review your application without unnecessary delays. The exact checks shown in your account may vary depending on your trade and business type.

Use valid documentsCheck names, dates and expiry details.
Upload clear filesMake sure nothing is cropped or blurred.
Check your accountFollow the outstanding actions shown there.

This is a quick way to confirm your identity, whether you are a sole trader or a company director. All applicants must complete this step.

You will usually need to take a live photo of yourself and a live picture of your identity document. The system will guide you and tell you if anything else is needed.

Acceptable forms of ID:

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    Driver's licence(best choice, as it simplifies your proof-of-address check)
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    Identity / Citizen Card
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    Passport
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    Proof of Age Standards (PASS) card
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    Residence PermitMake sure your face and all document details are clear.
smartphone
This check can be completed in the Checkatrade for Trades app, available from the App Store and Google Play.

Requirement: Applicants must be over 18 years old.

Once your ID is verified, we complete additional steps using your information to ensure you meet Checkatrade's Trust and Safety standards. Some of these checks could mean we need more information from you to get you vetted.

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This check confirms the address for the business owner/director or the main trading address for your business.

  • If you use your driving licence for ID, we will match the address on it to your application address.
  • If you use a different ID, we will try to match your application address to the address on the electoral roll.
  • If we can't match it this way, you will need to submit one of the documents listed below.

Other documents to prove your address:

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    A Council Tax bill (2024/2025) – must be the full page and the original copy
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    A credit card statement with at least one transaction
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    A utility bill or bank statement dated within the last 3 months
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    A mortgage statement clearly displaying the address on your application
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    A signed rental agreement between you and your landlord
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This check confirms that you or your company have a solid trading history and do not owe money to customers or homeowners through a County Court Judgement (CCJ). If a CCJ is found, you may need to provide evidence to show it meets our acceptance criteria.

Accepted documents for CCJ clarification:

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    Judgement of Claimant formA court document showing the type of CCJ.
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    Court confirmation emailsEmails confirming the type and amount of the CCJ so we can verify it is not related to a customer or homeowner.
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    Solicitor documentationCorrespondence confirming the type and amount of the CCJ.
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    Proof of payment to customersEvidence that any customer/homeowner-related CCJs have been paid and resolved.
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These checks ensure you have the necessary experience and official qualifications (accreditations) to carry out your trade safely and professionally.

Business check – all roofers must prove they have at least 6 months of roofing experience. You can show this with:

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    A supplier invoice over 6 months old
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    Third-party reviews over 6 months old
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    LTD incorporation dates, over 6 months old, showing a roofing business type
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Fluorinated Gas (F-Gas)
• Description: Required for businesses and technicians working with F-Gases in refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump systems to ensure environmental compliance and safety.
• Accepted documentation: FGas/Refcom (contact Refcom), Bureau Veritas Certification (contact Bureau Veritas).
• Sub-categories: Air Conditioning Servicing, Emergency Air Conditioning Service, Air Conditioning Repair, Air Conditioning Installation.
Part P or SELECT (Scotland)
• Description: Ensures electrical work in domestic dwellings is safe and compliant with building regulations (Part P for England/Wales, SELECT for Scotland).
• Accepted documentation: NICEIC (contact NICEIC), NAPIT (contact NAPIT), SELECT (contact SELECT), ECA Part P (contact ECA).
• Sub-categories: Electric Gate Installation, Electrical Installation, Rewiring, Electrical Repair, Fuse Box/Consumer Unit Installation, Electrical Inspection & Testing.
Gas Safe Register
• Description: The official gas registration body for the UK and surrounding islands; it is a legal requirement for any engineer working on gas appliances.
• Accepted documentation: Valid Gas Safe ID card or registration certificate (contact Gas Safe).
• Sub-categories: Gas Boiler Installation, Gas Boiler Servicing, Gas Boiler Repair, Gas Cooker/Hob Installation, Gas Fire Installation, Gas Safety Certificate (CP12).
HETAS
• Description: The UK's official body for approving solid fuel domestic heating appliances and the registration of competent installers and chimney sweeps.
• Accepted documentation: HETAS Certificate of Compliance or registered installer ID (contact HETAS).
• Sub-categories: Wood Burning Stove Installation, Chimney Sweeping, Biomass Boiler Installation.
OFTEC
• Description: A trade association that manages registration for installers of oil-fired heating, solid fuel, and renewable energy technologies.
• Accepted documentation: OFTEC registration certificate or technician ID card (contact OFTEC).
• Sub-categories: Oil Boiler Installation, Oil Boiler Servicing, Oil Boiler Repair, Oil Tank Installation.
Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS)
• Description: A quality assurance scheme that certifies low-carbon energy technologies and installers to ensure high standards and consumer protection.
• Accepted documentation: MCS certificate or installer registration details (contact MCS).
• Sub-categories: Solar Panel Installation, Air Source Heat Pump Installation, Ground Source Heat Pump Installation, Solar Thermal Installation.
Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC)
• Description: A trade body and government-approved competent person scheme for the plumbing and heating industry in England and Wales.
• Accepted documentation: APHC membership certificate or CPS registration (contact APHC).
• Sub-categories: Plumbing Installation, Plumbing Repair, Bathroom Installation, Hot Water Cylinder Installation.
Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE)
• Description: The professional body for the plumbing and heating industry that awards professional status to competent individuals.
• Sub-categories: General Plumbing, Water Softener Installation, Drainage, Central Heating Installation.
Architects Registration Board (ARB)
• Description: The statutory regulator for architects in the UK, maintaining the official register and ensuring professional standards are upheld.
• Accepted documentation: Proof of registration on the Architects Register (contact ARB).
• Sub-categories: Architectural Design, Planning Permission Services, Building Regulations Drawings.
Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
• Description: A professional body for architects that provides international accreditation and promotes excellence in the field of architecture.
• Accepted documentation: RIBA Chartered Membership certificate (contact RIBA).
• Sub-categories: Architectural Design, Project Management, Interior Architecture.
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This depends on how quickly you are able to upload your key documents for vetting. Once we have them, we typically respond within a few working hours. 40% of trades get approved and go live on the same day they apply.

8am–10:30pm Monday to Friday, 8am–8pm Saturday and Sunday, except Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Phone: 0333 014 6190

This means you unfortunately do not meet the standards Checkatrade requires of trades on our platform. Your membership will be declined, and you will be refunded for anything you have paid during your vetting journey.

If you change your mind within 2 days of purchasing your membership, you can cancel – please contact us on 0333 014 6190 to discuss. After this initial 2-day cooling-off period, you are contractually bound to the membership and contract you purchased.

If you cancel your membership within the 2-day cooling-off period, you can reapply in future.

As long as you have your original certificate, we can use this to identify if your accreditation remains valid. If you do want your latest version, depending on your category, visit the accreditation details above for contact information for your original provider, who will be able to provide you with a new copy of your certificate.

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Ready to complete your vetting?

Log in to see your outstanding checks and upload the documents needed to keep your application moving.

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