Criminal History & License Eligibility
Applicants with Prior Convictions
A prior conviction does not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining a license. There are no “barrier crimes” that are an absolute prohibition to licensure, but individuals with certain criminal convictions are subject to review by the board. Very few applicants are denied solely based on criminal history. For instance, from 2022-2024, only two applicants were denied due to criminal history out of 16,268 applications under the Board for Contractors—a denial rate of only .012 percent.
There are two methods available to applicants with criminal histories under Virginia law: Licensing Informal Fact-Findings and Predeterminations. Under the law, either pathway requires the board to make a decision based on nine factors outlined in §54.1-204.B of the Code of Virginia:
Type of Offense | Appropriateness | Time Passed |
Occupational Nexus | Prior Offenses | Work History |
Recidivism Potential | Age | Rehabilitation |
Disclosing Criminal Convictions
If you have a criminal conviction and are applying for a license, you must submit the Criminal Conviction Reporting Form, along with:
- A state police criminal history for every state where you have convictions, or
- A national criminal background check, or
- A certified copy of the Final Order, decree, or case decision by a court with lawful authority to issue such Order, decree, or decision.
Once DPOR receives this information, the Board may request additional documents from you pertaining to the conviction, and you may be required to attend an Informal Fact-Finding conference.