Do I Have to Disclose a Spent Conviction?

What you need to know

The checker below answers from the verified guide for your nation. These are the key points from each one.

England and Wales

• A caution or conviction becomes spent when its rehabilitation period ends. After that you are treated, for most purposes, as if you had never been cautioned or convicted of that offence.
• Once it is spent, you do not have to mention it on an application form or at a job interview, unless the job is listed in the Exceptions Order. Unless an exception applies, an employer cannot refuse to employ you or dismiss you because of a spent caution or conviction.
• While it is unspent, you must disclose it if you are asked: for a job, insurance, housing or a course.
• The length of the rehabilitation period depends on the sentence or disposal you got and your age on the date of conviction, not on the offence. The one exception is a sentence of more than 4 years for a serious violent, sexual or terrorist offence, which is never spent.
• The periods in our guide came into force on 28 October 2023. Older, longer periods you may find online are out of date.
• GOV.UK has a free disclosure checker: search "Check when to disclose cautions or convictions".

Full guide: Do I Have to Disclose a Spent Conviction in England and Wales? Last verified: 25 September 2026.

Scotland

• A conviction becomes spent when its disclosure period ends. The disclosure period starts on the date of conviction.
• Once a conviction is spent, it generally does not have to be disclosed. Some jobs and proceedings are exceptions.
• While a conviction is unspent, you must disclose it to an employer or possible employer if they ask.
• Employers cannot ask about spent convictions unless the job is exempt from the 1974 Act.
• A custodial sentence of more than 48 months is an excluded sentence: the conviction does not become spent after a set time.
• Checks in Scotland are done by Disclosure Scotland, not the DBS. A Level 1 disclosure (it replaced the basic disclosure) shows unspent convictions, not spent ones.

Full guide: Do I Have to Disclose a Spent Conviction in Scotland? Last verified: 25 September 2026.

Northern Ireland

• A conviction becomes spent when its rehabilitation period ends. After that, for employment and other purposes, it does not need to be declared if you are asked about your criminal history.
• Northern Ireland's periods are fixed and much longer than in Great Britain. A fine takes 5 years to become spent.
• A prison sentence of over 30 months is never spent and must always be declared.
• Cautions, diversionary youth conference plans and informed warnings are spent automatically.
• An AccessNI basic check does not include spent convictions. For excepted jobs, standard and enhanced checks can include spent convictions, apart from old and minor ones that are filtered.
• A Justice Bill would shorten these periods, but the changes are not in force. The periods in our guide are the ones that apply now.

Full guide: Do I Have to Disclose a Spent Conviction in Northern Ireland? Last verified: 25 September 2026.

This guidance is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Always verify current figures and legislation on GOV.UK or seek professional advice for your specific situation.