The Division of Licensing Services (DLS), oversees the licensure, certification, registration, and regulation of over 35 occupations throughout the state. DLS develops and administers examinations, approves curriculum and instructors, processes license applications, investigates consumer complaints and conducts state-initiated inspections/investigations.
To ensure that only qualified and trustworthy candidates obtain a license, certification, or registration all applicants are required to disclose past criminal convictions. Where required by statute, some applicants will be required to complete a fingerprint background check. An applicant seeking to engage in an occupation that does not require a fingerprint background check will be required to self-affirm all prior convictions, except as set forth below.
Applicants are not required to self-affirm sealed convictions or criminal actions that were terminated in favor of the applicant.
For example, a sealed conviction under the NYS Clean Slate Act, does not need to be self-affirmed when applying to the Department. For additional information regarding the NYS Clean Slate Act, please visit the following websites:
- https://nycourts.gov/FORMS/criminal-record-sealing.shtml
- https://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/ojis/recordreview.htm
UNTIL A CONVICTION IS SEALED IT MUST BE REPORTED.
Additionally, some (not all) convictions relating to Marijuana/Cannabis, and other offenses may not need to be disclosed under Subdivision 3 of Section 160.50 of the New York Criminal Procedure Law.
If you are unsure if the conviction(s) is/are sealed or otherwise not required to be disclosed, you should speak to an attorney before applying.
All applicants are required to disclose information regarding active/pending case(s). If you have active/pending case(s), you may want to speak with your attorney about whether to apply for the license while the case(s) is pending.