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Certificates of Employability
  1. What is a Certificate of Employability?
  2. Are there protections against Employment Discrimination based on Criminal Conviction?
  3. Who is eliglible for a Certificate of Employability?
  4. What effect does a Certificate of Employability have on my status?
  5. How do I submit an application for a Certificate of Employability?
  6. Where can I get more information about Certificates of Employability?


 
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.


2. Are there protections against employment discrimination based on criminal conviction?
Yes, unless you have a mandatory disability imposed on you by law that prevents you from taking part in certain types of employment or applying for certain types of licenses. Otherwise, the law requires employers with whom you have applied to consider a number of factors when they review your employment application, including whether you have a Certificate of Employability. Generally, employers and licensing agencies are not allowed to deny your application because of a criminal record alone unless:
  • There is a direct relationship between one or more of your previous criminal offenses and the specific job or license for which you are applying; or
  • Hiring you or issuing you the license would create an unreasonable risk to property or to the safety or welfare of specific individuals or the general public.

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,External Link  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,External Link 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 ActsExternal Link 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

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