Virginia Code Section 19.2-392.15 says “If any entity…includes a question about a prior arrest, charge, or conviction in an application…such application shall include…a notice to the applicant that information concerning an arrest, charge, or conviction that has been sealed DOES NOT HAVE TO BE DISCLOSED.”

Beginning July 1, 2025 July 1, 2026, most Virginia employment applications will be required to notify the applicant that sealed criminal convictions do not need to be disclosed.

So, when you have a criminal conviction sealed, you can legally deny the conviction on employment application. Virginia Code Sections 19.2-392.5 and 19.2-392-15 allow you to avoid disclosing a criminal conviction when applying for a new job.

Contact Clean Slate Virginia to see if your conviction can be sealed so you can deny your conviction on job applications!

*This article has been updated to reflect Virginia legislative changes during the 2025 session. When Virginia's Clean Slate Law was originally passed in 2021 the effective date was scheduled for July 1, 2025. The Virginia legislature extended the effective date to July 1, 2026, during the 2025 legislative session.