1. What is a Certificate of Employability?
A Certificate of Employability is a form of relief from the barriers or forfeitures to
employment or the issuance of professional licenses as a result of a
criminal conviction (reasons why an employer or a licensing agency can deny
a convicted criminal’s application) that may be granted to an eligible
offender by the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Branch
(CSSD) or the Board of Pardons and Paroles. When CSSD or the Board of
Pardons and Paroles issues a Certificate of Employability, it tells
potential and current employers and/or licensing agencies that CSSD or the
Board of Pardons and Paroles believes that the certificate holder’s prior
conviction(s) should not prevent him or her from getting a job or a
professional license. Also, depending on the circumstances, CSSD and the
Board of Pardons and Paroles can issue Certificates of Employability that
apply only to specific barriers or forfeitures or specific convictions, or
they can issue certificates that apply to all barriers and forfeitures and
all of an individual’s convictions.
In addition, employers are not allowed to ask about or consider any arrests that did not lead to a criminal conviction.
3. Who is eligible for a Certificate of Employability?
You are eligible for a Certificate of Employability from CSSD if you are a resident of Connecticut
who has been convicted of a crime or crimes in any jurisdiction and you are
currently under the supervision of CSSD. This includes anyone sentenced to
probation who is currently being supervised by Adult Probation as well as
anyone otherwise under the supervision of CSSD who has at least one criminal
conviction.
If you are not under CSSD supervision as described above, you may still be
eligible to apply for a Certificate of Employability with the State of
Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles,
You are eligible for a Certificate of Employability from the Board of Pardons and Paroles if you have been
convicted of a crime or crimes in any jurisdiction and you are under the
jurisdiction of the Board of Pardons and Paroles.
4. What effect does a Certificate of Employability have on my status?
A Certificate of Employability may remove some or all of the mandatory legal
bars to employment or professional licenses that are imposed as a result of
one or more criminal convictions. A Certificate of Employability does not
erase or hide your criminal record or allow you to retain or become eligible
for public office or work in law enforcement.
A Certificate of Employability is a temporary certificate while you are
under CSSD supervision. This certificate becomes permanent when you are
discharged from CSSD supervision. While it is temporary, the certificate may
be revoked if you violate the terms of your probation or supervision. Also,
CSSD will automatically revoke any Certificate of Employability if you are
convicted of any crime after you get a certificate.
5. How do I submit an application for a Certificate of Employability?
If you are under CSSD supervision, you can
get an application online or you can ask
your Probation Officer for an application. Once you have filled out your
application, you can submit it to CSSD by mailing it to: The Judicial Branch
Court Support Services Division, Attn: Certificate Review Unit, 936 Silas
Deane Highway, Wethersfield, CT 06109. Certified mail is best. No
applications will be accepted in person.
If you want to apply for a Certificate of Employability from the Board of Pardons and Paroles, please see the information on the Board’s website.
6. Where can I get more information about Certificates of Employability?
No. 14-27 of 2014 Public Acts
deals with Certificates of
Rehabilitation/Employability. You can also talk to your Probation Officer
about any specific questions.
Download a Certificate of Employability Application - PDF