Certificate of Employability

PLEASE VISIT THE BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLE WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION!

 

Connecticut Full or Provisional (Certificate of Employability) will be available to individuals who are no longer on probation or parole.

A Certificate of Employability, also known statutorily as a Provisional Pardon or Certificate of Rehabilitation, is for employment and licensing purposes only. It is an official State document certifying that despite your criminal history, you should not be prevented from getting a job or a license and makes it illegal for an employer or prospective employer to deny employment based on your criminal history alone. A Certificate of Employability does not expunge conviction(s) from your record.  Persons granted will receive a ‘Certificate of Employability’ from the Pardons Board.

Eligibility:

Please read the following criteria carefully and fully.

A Certificate of Employability (COE) is for employment and licensure purposes only. This does not erase your criminal history. You may apply to the Board of Pardons and Paroles (BOPP) for a Certificate of Employability only if you meet the following criteria:

  • You are a resident of the State of Connecticut
  • You have a criminal record (from any state or federal jurisdiction)

For those individuals who have recently completed a sentence (discharged) or are on parole or special parole, the following applies:

  • If you are currently under supervision with the Department of Correction’s Parole and Community Services Division, you must have successfully completed 90 days of supervision;
  • If you have recently successfully completed your sentence (discharged,) are not currently under supervision, have no new arrest(s) and have been in the community for a minimum of 90 days.

If any of the following apply, you are not eligible to apply for a COE:

  • You are currently incarcerated;
  • If you had a case “nolled” within the previous thirteen (13) months, you are not eligible to apply for any type of pardon, including a COE, until the nolle has cleared. A nolle remains for a period of thirteen (13) months after the date of disposition by the court;
  • If you are currently on Probation and have more than 90 days of supervision left (you must apply through your probation officer.)

Documents Required

It is important that applications be complete, accurate and copies of all required documents be provided when the application is submitted electronically to the Board of Pardons and Paroles. 

The Board requires the following documents to be included with your application at the time of submission:

  • Background Investigation Authorization Form

  • Copy of your valid Driver’s License or State ID

  • If you are currently under any form of supervision, you are required to submit a Supervising Officer Questionnaire completed by your current Parole/Probation Officer. 

Completing the Notarized Background Investigation Authorization

We highly recommend getting a copy of your Criminal History Report from the State Police. This will aid your memory in filling out your criminal history on the application for the COE. The history will cost you $75 from the state police and is the same process as for an absolute pardon.

Additional Documents to Include with Certificate of Employability (COE) Application

  • Any other documentation you wish the Pardon Board to consider (ex: certificates, resumes, evaluations, etc.) 

Process and Instructions

  1. Determine if you are eligible for a Certificate of Employability.
  2. Read the Frequently Asked Questions section of the BOPP website.
  3. Obtain all documents outlined in the “Documents Required for Certificate of Employability Application” .
  4. Compile any additional documents you wish to include with your Certificate of Employability application. Please make sure documents don’t have extensive formatting and special symbols.
  5. Ensure all documents you will be submitting with your Certificate of Employability Application are in one of the following formats: .jpeg, .pdf or .png.
  6. Apply for a Certificate of Employability
  7. CT Pardon Team will supply you with a written version of the application and will do the electronic filling of the online portal for you. A fee of $400 will be charged for a COE assistance package. This is payable in full prior to the beginning of assistance and non-refundable. Application must be completed within 3 months of contract. 

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • Applications are processed continuously on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to the high volume of applications, applications will not be accepted in person.

  • You are expected to answer all questions on this application truthfully. The BOPP will be doing a thorough criminal background check on every person who applies for a BOPP-issued Certificate of Employability and will talk to your Probation/ Parole Officer. Please note that lying or leaving out any information asked for on this application can be grounds to deny your application.

  • If you do not disclose a conviction in your application and it is later discovered by the Pardons Board, after you have been granted a Certificate of Employability, your pardon may be revoked and you may be prosecuted for perjury.

Call 860-823-1571 or contact us today for an appointment for assistance on submitting the Certificate of Employability form.