A criminal record can create unexpected barriers when you’re applying for or renewing a professional license in Arizona. Whether you’re pursuing nursing, real estate, general contracting, or another licensed profession, even a single conviction in your past can stand in your way no matter how long ago it happened or how much you’ve changed since then.
Fortunately, Arizona law now gives individuals a powerful second chance through the sealing of criminal records under A.R.S. § 13-911. If you’re worried about how your record might impact your licensing prospects, sealing may be the key to a fresh start.
What Does Sealing a Record Actually Do?
Sealing a record in Arizona doesn’t just hide it, it legally removes it from public view for most purposes. If your case qualifies and you meet the required waiting period, a judge can order that your record be sealed for life. This applies not only to convictions, but also to cases that were dismissed or charges that were never formally filed. Once sealed, the public, including most employers and licensing boards, can no longer access the information through standard government systems.
Importantly, sealing a record also means you are released from all penalties related to that case. You are no longer legally considered guilty, and you can often answer “no” when asked if you’ve ever been convicted of a crime. This changes the playing field dramatically for people trying to obtain state licenses in regulated professions.
How Sealing Impacts Professional Licensing in Arizona
Most professional licensing agencies in Arizona conduct background checks. Boards like the Arizona State Board of Nursing, the Department of Real Estate, and the Registrar of Contractors rely on criminal history as one part of their review process. If your record is sealed, it’s likely they won’t see the offense at all, making your application appear cleaner and stronger.
Even if your record is uncovered in rare cases where disclosure is still required, the fact that a judge approved your sealing petition speaks volumes. It signals rehabilitation, accountability, and legal affirmation that you’ve moved beyond your past.
Having a sealed record often improves your chances of approval because licensing boards are tasked with protecting the public while also giving qualified applicants a fair chance. With a sealed record, you present less perceived risk and more evidence of stability.
When Disclosure May Still Be Required
There are some exceptions where disclosure may still be necessary, even after your record has been sealed. These include roles that involve working with vulnerable populations or regulated safety-sensitive positions.
Licensing areas that may still require disclosure if your crime crosses over with the job you are seeking:
- Working with children, such as teaching or pediatric nursing
- Jobs involving care for vulnerable adults, like assisted living staff
- Any position that requires a Fingerprint Clearance Card
- Professions handling sensitive financial transactions, such as mortgage lending
- Public safety roles, including law enforcement, courts, and prosecutors
- Civil lawsuits tied to the original arrest or conviction
- Some federal government positions, depending on agency rules
In these situations, sealing may not eliminate the need to disclose, but it still helps. Licensing boards reviewing sealed records often consider the seal as an official acknowledgment that you’ve met all legal obligations, completed your sentence, and stayed out of further trouble. That can heavily influence how your application is judged.
What Licensing Boards Actually Consider
Licensing agencies in Arizona take a comprehensive look at an applicant’s history. They examine the nature of the offense, how much time has passed, your conduct since the incident, and whether the offense is relevant to the profession you’re seeking. For example, a theft conviction might raise more concern for a real estate agent or financial advisor than it would for someone in a completely unrelated trade.
Sealing your record helps reduce that scrutiny. It removes the offense from most viewable systems and, where it does still appear, it frames your past in a more favorable light. A sealed record tells the board that you took formal action to correct your past, and that a judge found your rehabilitation compelling.
In a licensing process that often weighs character and public trust, that endorsement can make all the difference.
Is a Set Aside Enough, or Is Sealing Better?
Arizona also allows individuals to apply for a “set aside” under A.R.S. § 13-905. While this is a valuable step, especially as a precursor to sealing, it doesn’t provide the same level of protection. A set aside vacates the judgment of guilt and can restore civil rights, but the conviction still appears on background checks. You’ll also receive a Certificate of Second Chance, which can help with jobs and housing, but may not be enough when dealing with professional licensing boards.
Sealing, on the other hand, completely removes the record from public access and provides the legal basis to say the incident never happened. While both tools are important, sealing is far more protective when it comes to applying for state-issued licenses. At our law firm we strongly recommend doing both Set Aside and Sealing Records just to be on the safe side when making all future employers happy.
Sealing Can Be the Key to Career Growth
If you’re applying to become a nurse, contractor, or real estate agent, or renewing an existing license, sealing your record may open doors that were previously closed. Many people believe their criminal record will permanently disqualify them from their dream job or that thier criminal record will automatically disappear after a certain amount of years, but Arizona law offers another path since all criminal records are permanent until they are sealed.
After the required waiting period (which ranges from 2 to 10 years depending on the level of the offense), you may be eligible to seal your record. Once granted, the benefits are lifelong. In an economy that increasingly values rehabilitation and fair opportunity, sealing provides more than just legal protection, it gives people the ability to pursue careers and support their families without the weight of old mistakes dragging behind them.
If you’re unsure whether you’re eligible or don’t know where to begin, you’re not alone. The sealing process can be complex, but help is available. The first step is knowing your rights and that you have options.
Zachary Divelbiss, Lawyer
Future First Criminal Law
