Verify FCA registration before you appoint
The FCA Individual check confirms whether a candidate is registered on the FCA Register and eligible for the role they are being appointed to. A mandatory step for SMCR Senior Manager and Certification Function hires.
What is an FCA Individual check?
An FCA Individual check (also called a CF check or FCA Register check) verifies whether a candidate holds — or has held — a registration on the FCA's Financial Services Register.
For SMCR-regulated firms, this check is a key component of the due diligence required before appointing a Senior Management Function (SMF) holder or certifying Certification Function staff.
It confirms: current FCA registration status, controlled functions previously held, firms the individual has been registered with, and any known regulatory notices, prohibitions, or public censures.
FCA-regulated firms
- ✓Senior Management Function (SMF) holders — Chief Executive, Finance Director, Chief Risk Officer, Compliance Oversight, MLRO
- ✓Certification Function staff — client-facing advisers, significant influence roles not requiring FCA approval
- ✓Any individual previously employed in a regulated financial services role
What the FCA Individual check covers
- ✓Current status on the FCA Financial Services Register (approved, expired, withdrawn)
- ✓Previous approvals and controlled functions held
- ✓Regulatory history: Final Notices, public censures, or prohibitions issued by the FCA or PRA
- ✓Relevant international regulatory flags (where available)
Up and running in days, not months
Define your package
Choose checks by role — Senior Manager, Certified Person, or a custom package for your firm.
Invite your candidate
Candidate receives a secure link to the InfoVetted portal, which displays your company name. They submit the required information and documents digitally — no paperwork.
Checks run automatically
No manual chasing. Real-time status updates as each check completes across our provider network.
Audit-ready report
FCA-examination-ready results stored securely with a full audit trail in your portal.
Frequently asked questions
Is the FCA Individual check the same as a regulatory reference?
No. A regulatory reference (FCA SYSC 22) is a reference request sent to previous regulated employers, asking them to disclose information about the candidate's conduct. The FCA Individual check verifies the candidate's registration status on the public FCA Register. Both are required under SMCR — they serve different purposes.
What if the candidate has no FCA registration?
For new entrants to financial services, there will be no existing registration. The check confirms this and provides a clean result. The firm then applies for SMF approval through the FCA's Connect system before the individual can perform the function.
How quickly do results come back?
Typically same working day. The check queries publicly available and near-real-time regulatory data sources.
Finance & Enterprise pricing
FCA Individual checks are available as part of the Finance & Enterprise plan. Contact us for per-check pricing for regulated firms.
Often run alongside this check
Ready to meet your SMCR obligations?
Speak to our compliance screening team and we'll build a package tailored to your firm's FCA requirements.