For teachers and school employees in Arizona, a sealed criminal record can be the second chance they’ve worked hard to earn. Arizona law under A.R.S. § 13-911 allows eligible individuals to seal past criminal records, helping them move forward without being haunted by old mistakes. But for those working in education, or hoping to, the question often comes up: Will school districts still see my sealed record?
Understanding what sealing a record does, and what it doesn’t do, is essential especially in sensitive professions involving children. While sealing offers major legal and personal benefits, there are important exceptions that every educator should know before applying for jobs or undergoing fingerprint clearance.
What Sealing a Record Really Does in Arizona
Sealing a record under Arizona law means that the public can no longer access the details of your past arrest, charge, or conviction through government systems. Employers, landlords, and most third-party background check companies cannot view the sealed record, and applicants are no longer required to disclose the incident in most circumstances. This legal relief helps protect privacy and significantly reduces the stigma attached to a criminal past.
Once a record is sealed, it’s considered as if the event never occurred, at least in the eyes of the general public. This provides real opportunities for those seeking better housing, employment, or professional licensing. However, the law still allows specific government agencies, law enforcement entities, and regulatory boards to access sealed records when doing so is related to their job duties. For teachers and school staff, this means that full invisibility is not guaranteed.
Why Sealed Records Can Still Be Seen by School Districts
Although sealing removes records from public view, certain authorities can still access the sealed information for employment-related decisions. School districts in Arizona, for example, may still be able to see sealed records when conducting background checks, especially for roles that require a Fingerprint Clearance Card or direct contact with minors.
The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) and local school hiring boards can lawfully view sealed records when considering applicants for teaching, classroom assistance, school transportation, food services, and other school-based positions. These agencies aren’t using publicly accessible court websites; instead, they rely on law enforcement databases and state-level background systems maintained by the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS). Even if a court seals a record, those systems may continue to display it unless or until they’re fully updated, which can take time.
This distinction is crucial. Sealing a record offers tremendous protection and opens doors in most fields but education is one of the few professions where sealed records can still factor into hiring decisions. The law is designed this way to protect children and ensure transparency in sensitive positions of trust.
When Sealed Records Must Still Be Disclosed in Education
There are specific circumstances in which individuals are still legally required to disclose a sealed record. For school employees, this applies when the sealed offense involves child abuse, aggravated assault, or any crime that directly relates to working with minors. If the job itself involves consistent contact with children, which is virtually guaranteed in most school settings, employers have a right to ask about and consider sealed convictions that fall into these categories.
Arizona’s sealing law allows for exceptions where public safety or vulnerable populations are concerned. In practical terms, that means school districts conducting pre-employment screenings may be permitted to access sealed information if the sealed offense is relevant to the job or to statutory fingerprint requirements. Importantly, this doesn’t apply to all sealed records but it absolutely can apply if the offense was related to violence, abuse, or conduct involving a minor.
This doesn’t mean someone is automatically disqualified from employment, but it does mean that sealed records can still be reviewed in the hiring process. Knowing this in advance allows applicants to be transparent when necessary and to frame their growth and rehabilitation appropriately when communicating with potential employers.
Fingerprint Clearance and Background Checks in Education
Arizona educators are often required to obtain and maintain a valid Fingerprint Clearance Card through the Arizona Department of Public Safety. This card is used to determine whether an individual’s criminal history meets the standards for working with children in the state. Even after a record is sealed, the DPS may retain internal access to the record during the clearance review process.
It’s also important to understand that updates between the courts and DPS systems don’t always happen automatically or immediately. After a record is sealed, the court must notify DPS and submit supplemental disposition documents. The case can’t be sealed until all court-ordered financial obligations are cleared and the necessary processing tasks are complete. This creates a delay, typically around two weeks or more, before the record is fully sealed across all government systems.
For teachers, this means that sealing a record is not always the final step. It’s wise to confirm with DPS that all systems reflect the updated status, particularly before applying for a new clearance card or position in a public school.
Preparing for Job Applications in Education After Sealing
Educators with sealed records should enter the job search informed, not anxious. While some sealed records may still be visible to school districts or trigger fingerprint clearance issues, not all will. Knowing whether the original offense falls into a disclosure-required category can help applicants avoid surprises.
If disclosure is required, honesty paired with a thoughtful explanation can go a long way. Many hiring administrators appreciate transparency and are open to understanding the context behind a sealed record, especially if significant time has passed and rehabilitation can be clearly demonstrated.
It’s also important to work with a legal team experienced in Arizona record relief. They can help ensure the petition is complete, accurate, and timed appropriately. If there’s uncertainty about what’s still visible or whether disclosure is legally required, a legal professional can offer guidance based on the specific facts of the case. The sealing process itself involves judge discretion and a review of multiple factors, including time elapsed, successful completion of sentence, and the petitioner’s personal and professional progress since the offense.
Moving Forward with Purpose
Sealing a record is a meaningful step toward personal and professional renewal, especially for teachers and school staff. While the law still allows certain education employers to access sealed records, the overwhelming majority of sealed offenses will no longer affect one’s ability to find housing, employment, or opportunity. Even in the education world, sealing shows initiative, accountability, and a commitment to change.
Understanding how sealed records are treated in school settings helps educators take charge of their futures. For those who qualify, this process can make a real difference by opening doors and restoring hope. It’s not just about clearing a background check. It’s about clearing the path forward.
Zachary Divelbiss, Lawyer
Future First Criminal Law
