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Test & certify
A 40-question exam with an 80% pass mark covers COSHH, hygiene protocols, PPE, cross-contamination and safe chemical handling. It can be failed.
Looking for a verified cleaner in the UK — or a Checkatrade alternative for cleaners? Most platforms verify paperwork, business details or reviews. Among the services reviewed here, SPOT is the only cleaner certification UK option combining a failable cleaning-competency exam, tiered evidence checks and a public registry number anyone can check.
Paperwork matters, but it does not show whether someone understands dilution, cross-contamination or safe chemical handling. SPOT checks the basics and tests cleaning knowledge.
A 40-question exam with an 80% pass mark covers COSHH, hygiene protocols, PPE, cross-contamination and safe chemical handling. It can be failed.
Bronze includes automated ID and selfie checks. Silver adds right-to-work, insurance and references. Gold adds reviewed Basic DBS evidence, photo verification and confirmed business status.
Every current credential has a public registry number. Directory visibility is optional and separate, so cancelling a listing never erases verified history.
Customer-review collection is not yet live on SPOT, so it is not claimed here as an existing feature.
SPOT was developed with input from cleaners whose working backgrounds include NHS facilities and private contracting environments serving British Armed Forces sites. That experience helps focus the standard on what gets missed in real work; it does not mean SPOT is approved, sponsored or endorsed by the NHS, Ministry of Defence or Armed Forces.
Public headline information checked on 10 August 2026. Prices, checks and packages can change; follow each source link before buying.
| Platform | What its published verification covers | Published cleaner cost | Tests cleaning competency? | Public credential lookup? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Checkatrade | 12 onboarding checks, trade profile and reviews | Free profile; Approved £30/mo; Growth from £59/mo | No cleaning exam identified | — |
| Bark | Lead marketplace; professionals choose which customer leads to contact | Free profile; variable credits per lead | No cleaning exam identified | — |
| Cleaner Connect | ID, insurance and three references for a verified profile | From £9.99/mo plus £39.99 joining fee | No exam identified | — |
| Cleanodeal | Business and profile verification with directory visibility | £10/mo verified-badge plan when checked | No exam identified | — |
| TrustMyClean | Cleaning-directory business profile | £4.99/mo or £40/yr when checked | No exam identified | — |
| BICSc | Cleaning training body with Licence to Practice and skills units; not a consumer lead directory | Licence to Practice from £100; further skills priced separately | Yes | — |
| SPOT | Exam plus tier-dependent ID, right-to-work, insurance, references and Basic DBS evidence; public registry | £49–£149 one-off verification; optional listing £6–£45/mo | Yes | Yes |
Competitor names and trademarks belong to their respective owners. SPOT is not affiliated with or endorsed by them. This comparison describes public information rather than guaranteeing another provider's current service.
They have a real advantage: reach. Checkatrade is a large general-trades directory, while Bark distributes a high volume of enquiries across many service categories. SPOT does not yet claim comparable lead volume.
The difference is depth per cleaner. SPOT is cleaning-specific, includes an exam and gives each current credential a registry number that can be checked separately from a profile. A cleaner may use SPOT alongside a larger lead platform rather than treating them as mutually exclusive.
No. Checkatrade is a large general-trades directory and lead platform. SPOT is an independent cleaning-specific verification standard with a failable competency exam and public registry lookup. Checkatrade has much greater lead reach today; SPOT focuses on depth of verification.
No. Verification and directory listing are separate. A cleaner can keep a current SPOT credential and registry number without buying a listing. If they want directory visibility and enquiries, Basic and Featured listings are optional paid subscriptions.
The registry lookup shows whether the credential is current, its live Bronze, Silver or Gold tier, and its validity dates. It is the source of truth if a saved badge or certificate becomes outdated. It is not a guarantee of future conduct or work quality.
SPOT is an independent verification standard, not a government licence or regulated qualification. Its badge follows a competency exam and tier-specific evidence checks; it is not awarded simply for buying a directory profile.
No. Bronze, Silver and Gold are one-off verification purchases. Directory visibility is a separate optional subscription available after verification is current.
SPOT offers a no-cost partner route for organisations that want contractors to meet a minimum current SPOT tier and provide a registry number as audit evidence. Contact SPOT to discuss your organisation.
SPOT was developed with input from working cleaners with experience in NHS facilities and in private contracting environments serving British Armed Forces sites. This describes relevant frontline experience and does not imply endorsement by the NHS, Ministry of Defence or Armed Forces.
Search the SPOT directory by area and minimum live tier, then check the cleaner's registry number. The registry result is independent of a profile screenshot or downloaded badge.
Checkatrade currently says members complete 12 checks before going live. Its service focuses on trade vetting, profiles, reviews and lead generation. SPOT separately tests cleaning knowledge and publishes a registry lookup.
SPOT verification costs £49 for Bronze, £89 for Silver or £149 for Gold as a one-off purchase. BICSc publishes its Licence to Practice from £100, with additional skills training priced separately. The schemes serve different purposes, so compare the evidence and recognition you need.
Verification starts at £49 as a one-off purchase. Directory listing remains optional.