Ohio Community College Resource Center
Breaking Down Criminal Record Barriers
sponsored by Ohio Justice & Policy Center
Criminal Records: What every student should know
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Get an overview of why your record matters. Find out what is on your criminal record, what barriers you might face, and what you can do about it.
What Criminal Record Barriers Will Affect Me?
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Learn how to use the Ohio Justice & Policy Center's CIVICC database. The CIVICC database catalogues all of the state laws and regulations that place barriers on people due to their criminal records. Of the over 775 barriers CIVICC has identified, most are concentrated in the regulated professions people go to community colleges to study.
Finding what criminal record barriers you will likely face is essential in order to make good, informed choices about your course of study and knowing what to do to overcome those barriers.
Resources for Students
Certificates of Qualification for Employment (CQEs)
CQEs are a relatively new addition to Ohio state law. CQEs do not hide a criminal record, but they do two important things to address criminal records. First, they remove mandatory, employment related barriers contained in state law. Secondly, they remove liability for an employer who hires a CQE holder. Fear of negligent hiring liability is one of the main reasons employers do not hire people with crimnal records.
Students who should consider applying for a CQE are:
1) Those studying to get a state issued occupational license or to work in a facility that serves vulnerable populations (healthcare, schools, daycares, etc.)
2) Those who are not eligible for record sealing but want to address their record in another way.
Learn about what CQEs do, eligibility, how to apply, and what employers need to know about CQEs.
Criminal Record Sealing
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Criminal record sealing (also commonly referred to as expungment) is a process that allows eligible applicants to hide their criminal record from some employers and mark "no" on the box that asks whether the person has been convicted of a crime.
However, criminal record sealing is not absolute. For students who will apply for a state-issued occupational license or will work in facilities that serve "vulnerable populations" (healthcare facilities, schools, daycares, etc), state "BCI" background checks will show sealed offenses. For these students a CQE (below) is most appropriate.
Learn about different types of background checks and the eligibiilty requirements to seal criminal records in Ohio.
How Will My Record Affect Co-ops and What Can I Do About It?
Most programs that require co-ops or practicums are in fields that have specific state laws that can present barriers to being able to find a co-op site. As early as possible, it is important to know how your record will come into play and how you can address it.
