Can I get a job with a criminal record? [Yes - here's how]

2 Sep 2025

Unlock reported that 12 million people in the UK have a criminal record. Yet getting a job when you have a criminal record comes with its own unique set of challenges, such as falling victim to discrimination and false assumptions.

Is it harder to get a job with a criminal record?

Having a criminal record does not have to be a barrier towards getting a job. Although there are certain challenges in which you may feel hindered because of it. There are still many employers and job opportunities available - and ones which will be right for you. For many jobs there is no legal obligation for employers to ask for about criminal records and it is not relevant to most jobs.

Everyone has different backgrounds, and the job application process will take into consideration a wide of factors, from looking at your skills and suitability for a role to how you perform in the interview.

Can I find out what is on my criminal record?

There are a few ways you can check what’s on your criminal record, including:

Subjecting an access request

You can send a subject access request (SAR) to the police which can be done through the ACRO Criminal Records Office. Through contacting them they should be able to give you a copy of your criminal record.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks

Another way to find out what’s on your criminal record is through a DBS check. There are three types of DBS checks, such as:

Basic DBS check - This is a criminal record check that you or your employer can ask you to request.
Standard DBS check - This goes into more detail and is suitable for roles like security guarding. These checks provide information on both spent and unspent criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings that are held on the Police National Computer that aren’t subject to filtering.
Enhanced DBS check - This is the highest level of checks and can include information on your mental health, such as being removed by the police to a place of safety. The information on this record is deemed relevant by the police.

How long does a criminal record last?

Criminal records can last for different amounts of time depending on the crimes committed. For example, cautions for non-violent offences don’t show up on DBS checks after 6 years. Criminal records can also differ in length depending on how old the individual with a record is.

Criminal records for those above 18

Those 18 or over will be classed as an adult and have their criminal record filtered if they meet the following criteria:

It’s been more than 11 years since the conviction.
The crime didn’t lead to a prison sentence.
If the crime doesn’t appear on a relevant safeguarding list.

Criminal records for those under 18

Those under 18 are treated as minors even if they’ve turned 18 since the conviction. Unlike adults, those under 18 are also more likely to have their offences removed from their criminal record. For offences to be removed from a record, individuals need to meet the following criteria:

Over five and a half years need to have passed since their conviction.
They didn’t go to prison for their conviction.
It was the individuals only offence.
The crime doesn’t appear on a relevant safeguarding list.

There are some convictions that won’t be removed from a criminal record for safeguarding reasons. This is to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm.

Do I have to tell an employer if I have a criminal record?

It’s important to understand your rights before applying for a job, as 1 in 5 employers ask for information relating to criminal records. There is no law that requires employers to ask job applicants about their criminal record at application stage, and they are not allowed to ask about spent criminal records.

The questions employers ask also depends on the type of job you’re applying for, the nature of the crime and whether the conviction is spent or unspent. Once a conviction is spent, you are not required to disclose to an employer and legally can answer ‘no’ if asked on an application form or job interview. However, there are some exemptions for certain roles which can require disclosure of spent convictions:

Doctors, dentists, midwives and nurses
Solicitors
Accountants
Roles based in a school
Roles with social services providers
Roles that involve working with people under the age of 18.

Criminal records must be disclosed to an employer if they ask about unspent criminal convictions. It is illegal for an employer to discriminate against someone with a spent criminal record and employers should not ask about spent criminal records either.

The difference between spent and unspent convictions is:

Spent convictions don’t come back on a basic criminal record check and will only show on standard or enhanced DBS checks.
Unspent convictions come back on all criminal record checks including basic, standard and enhanced DBS checks.

How should I tell a potential employer I have a criminal record?

Telling your employer that you have a criminal record can cause anxiety, as you don’t know how an employer will respond. However, it’s important that you’re upfront with your employer, as a DBS check can check if you have a criminal record. 1 in 4 people of working age in the UK have a criminal record, so it is likely that the employer will have experience with criminal record disclosure.

There are a few ways you can tell your employer about your criminal record, such as:

Giving context about your life at the time can help give your employer some insight into why you may have committed a crime and how you have changed since.
Tell your employer what you were charged or sentenced for and how you’ve grown since.

Having a criminal record can feel like a barrier, but it doesn’t have to define your future. With the right information, support, and approach, you can find meaningful employment and move forward with confidence.

L earn more about our justice services .

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