Criminal History Guidelines

Application for Criminal History Determination

This application is for non-licensed use ONLY. If you are needing a criminal history determination for multiple license types, you will need to complete a separate application for each. Do not use when applying for or renewing a license.

Download Application Form

Some licensing laws prohibit certain criminal history. You may submit this application at any time BEFORE applying for a license (even before completing any training or education for the license).

A Criminal History Determination Application IS NOT a BCI Report. To obtain a BCI Report, contact the Utah Bureau of Criminal History at the following link: https://bci.utah.gov/criminal-records/criminal-records-forms/

Application Process

What To Disclose In Your Application

Only the criminal incidents that you include in the application will be considered. Any omissions, either intentional or unintentional, may invalidate a Determination.

It is important to disclose all charges. DOPL receives information not released for non-government background checks. For example, a charge dismissed after successful completion of a plea in abeyance may not appear on most background checks, but it is released to DOPL. Passing previous background checks does not mean your background is clear.

The following types of criminal incidents usually must be reported:

  • any misdemeanor, in any jurisdiction, in the last 10 years
  • any felony, in any jurisdiction
  • any active or pending criminal action (including arrests)

Each profession has different criteria and concerns regarding criminal history. For more information, read the FAQs, and review the Criminal History Guidelines for that specific profession on DOPL’s website.

How To Complete The Application

Fill out the general information on page 1 and 2.

Then, for EACH charge, plea, or conviction, fill out a copy of page 3:  Criminal History Disclosure Statement.   Attach complete copies of your required supporting documents for EACH copy of page 3.

You may attach as many copies of page 3 and as many documents as you need.
Fully complete all pages and submit all requested information and attachments.  DOPL will not review an incomplete application.

  • You must disclose each charge, plea, or conviction, even if it was later held in abeyance, diverted, reduced, or dismissed through a plea agreement.
  • You must disclose motor vehicle offenses such as driving while impaired or intoxicated.  However, you do not need to disclose minor traffic offenses such as parking or speeding violations.
  • You do not need to report juvenile records; however, convictions of a minor tried as an adult outside of juvenile court must be reported.
  • You must disclose if you are restricted from possession, purchase, transfer, or ownership of a firearm or ammunition (even if your restriction is based on a non-reportable juvenile conviction).
  • You do not need to disclose legally expunged or sealed criminal history incidents.  See Question 17 of the FAQs for more information on expungements.

DOPL Review and Decision

Upon receiving a complete Application for Criminal History Determination, DOPL will review all of the information submitted for the license you requested.

DOPL may also ask for additional information and may require you to come before the licensing board for an interview.

Within 30 days of receiving a complete application, DOPL will issue a Determination letter identifying whether the criminal history you have submitted for review would, or would not, disqualify you from obtaining the license, even if you completed all other licensing requirements.

  • Your Determination will be based on the statutory authority, administrative rules, and policies governing the identified license at the time of your application.  Also, your Determination will be based solely on the information that you provide with your application.  Any intentional or unintentional misrepresentations or omissions may impact the determination.
  • If you later apply for a license, you will be subject to a new review of your criminal history.  If you have received a favorable determination, DOPL will stand by its favorable determination and it is likely that your criminal history will not prevent you from obtaining that license. Please note that licensing decisions may be impacted by a change in Utah's statutes, rules, or policies governing the license, or because of the discovery of additional information not previously known to DOPL.