Can Sealing Your Record Help with Professional Licensing in Arizona?

For anyone with a criminal record, trying to move forward in life—especially professionally—can feel like dragging an anchor. Whether you’re applying for a teaching certificate, nursing license, real estate license, or any other regulated credential, your past can become a significant barrier. Fortunately, Arizona’s record sealing law (A.R.S. § 13-911) offers a way to reduce or eliminate that burden.

Sealing a record doesn’t just offer privacy—it can open doors. Especially when it comes to professional licensing, sealing your record could be one of the most effective tools to help you get back on track.

What Record Sealing Does in Arizona

When a criminal record is sealed under A.R.S. § 13-911, it becomes legally hidden from public view. You are permitted to state that the offense “never occurred” in most circumstances, and employers or licensing agencies typically cannot access sealed information—unless they are among the very limited entities allowed by statute.

This is not expungement, and it’s not a pardon. The record still exists in certain protected databases, but for most practical purposes—including professional licensing—it’s legally out of sight.

To qualify, a person must meet several requirements:

• Completion of all terms of their sentence (including any prison or probation time)
• Passage of a mandatory waiting period (ranging from 2 to 10 years depending on the offense)
• No new criminal charges or convictions during the waiting period
• Filing a petition with the court (must represent yourself or hire a law firm)

Cases that were dismissed or resulted in no charges may also be eligible for sealing, often with shorter waiting periods.

How Sealing Helps with Professional Licensing

Arizona’s professional boards and regulatory agencies vary widely in how they handle past criminal conduct. Some have strict rules disqualifying applicants with certain convictions. Others require full disclosure and a detailed explanation. In nearly every case, having a criminal record sealed makes the process easier and less invasive.

Here’s how:

• Reduced Disclosure Requirements: Once your record is sealed, you are generally not required to disclose the incident on licensing applications, except in professions where agencies are legally allowed to access sealed records—such as law enforcement, healthcare, or roles requiring a fingerprint clearance card.
• Better Background Check Outcomes: Many licensing boards run background checks through commercial databases. Sealed records do not appear in these reports, giving you a cleaner slate.
• Increased Privacy During Review: In cases where a board does have access (e.g., for law enforcement or certain medical fields), sealed status demonstrates a positive step toward rehabilitation and can influence discretionary decisions.
• Improved Fairness in Review Process: While boards are not obligated to ignore sealed offenses, many treat sealed cases more leniently, especially when the petitioner has shown ongoing compliance and reform.

It’s important to know that not all professions are subject to the same rules. Some licensing bodies—such as those regulating law enforcement, education, or healthcare—may retain access to sealed records or have statutory carve-outs that override standard sealing protections. However, even in these situations, having a sealed record generally provides stronger grounds for being considered rehabilitated.

When You Might Be Ineligible to Seal

Arizona’s sealing law excludes certain types of offenses, including:

• Violent or dangerous felonies
• Serious crimes involving weapons
• Offenses with substantial bodily harm
• Some sex crimes and crimes involving vulnerable adult or child victims

If your offense falls into one of these categories, sealing may not be an option. Additionally, sealing is not available for civil traffic violations or civil court records—this law applies only to criminal matters.

A Powerful Step Toward Your Career Goals

For professionals trying to build or rebuild their careers, the impact of a sealed record can’t be overstated. Licensing boards often operate with caution, and even a decades-old conviction can trigger questions, delays, or denials. Sealing your record helps prevent those issues before they start.

It allows you to present yourself based on your current qualifications and character—not your past mistakes. It’s not a guarantee of licensure, but it is often a key factor in a successful application.

If you’re planning to apply for a license in Arizona and have a past criminal record, exploring whether you qualify for record sealing should be one of your first steps. The process takes time and preparation, but the long-term benefits—for your reputation, your career, and your peace of mind—are worth it.

Zachary Divelbiss, Lawyer
Future First Criminal Law