The Division takes its responsibility to protect the public health and welfare very seriously, and as such, applications for licensure from individuals with criminal histories are given close scrutiny to ensure the applicant will not pose a threat to the public. However, the Division also takes very seriously the state’s strong commitment to helping individuals with criminal histories successfully reenter society and to honoring their rehabilitation. The Division furthermore recognizes that access to meaningful employment is one of the most significant factors in reducing recidivism. In order to balance these interests, the Division gives consideration to all pertinent circumstances connected with a conviction, including all evidence of rehabilitation, and reviews applications with criminal histories on a case-by-case basis.
Not all convictions will result in disqualification from licensure. The fact that an applicant for licensure has been convicted of a crime does not, by itself, prevent the applicant from applying for and receiving a license, registration, or certification from the Division. The Division encourages all applicants who meet the qualifications for licensure to apply, including individuals with a record of criminal conviction.
Applying for Licensure:
Applicants are encouraged to carefully study the laws, regulations, and policies governing their profession. Applicants with criminal backgrounds must be prepared to provide:
- Copies of all legal documents relating to each event/offense in their record; and
- Copies of all legal documents indicating their compliance with, or completion of, any requirements imposed upon them as a result of their conviction(s) (e.g. parole, probation, etc.).
Conditional Licensure:
When making a determination as to the impact of an applicant’s criminal conviction(s) on their qualifications to become licensed, Colorado law allows the Division to issue a conditional license to the applicant. When a conditional license is issued, you will be required to meet certain requirements during the conditional period. You may request that the conditional designation or any other adverse action be removed one year after the issuance of the conditional license or at your next renewal, whichever is later, if:
- You remain free of any subsequent criminal conviction or licensing sanctions after the conditional license is issued; and
- You are no longer serving any term of probation or parole imposed as a result of your criminal conviction(s).
Once the conditional designation is removed, the Division is required to make the conditional designation confidential and to remove from your professional history any reference to crimes committed before the application for license was submitted, unless federal law supersedes.
Please contact the Division if you have any additional questions. Access online services to begin your application for a license.