Can you get a federal job with a felony?

Can a felon hold a federal government job?

Yes, you can work for the Federal Government if you have a criminal record and were formerly incarcerated. People with criminal records are eligible to apply to most federal jobs, however there are some exceptions.

What disqualifies you from a government clearance?

Security clearance disqualifiers center on vulnerability to coercion, with major red flags including drug involvement, significant financial problems, a history of dishonesty, certain criminal conduct (especially violent or fraud-related), and questionable foreign influence, but the biggest automatic disqualifier is lying or omitting information on the application itself. While past issues can often be mitigated with honesty and improvement, current illegal drug use or deliberate deception is almost always disqualifying. 

What is the best career path for a felon?

Good jobs for felons are often in high-demand, hands-on industries like skilled trades (construction, welding, HVAC), transportation (trucking, delivery), food service (cooking, kitchen staff), manufacturing & warehousing (forklift operator, assembly), and the gig/freelance economy (writing, web development), focusing on performance-based roles and companies with second-chance hiring, as many large corporations and startups value work ethic over past mistakes.
 

What is the hardest background check to pass?

The hardest background checks are typically US government security clearances (especially Top Secret/SCI) and those for high-level law enforcement, involving deep dives into criminal, financial (credit), employment, and personal history (interviews with associates) via extensive forms like the SF-86, far exceeding standard employment screening. These checks scrutinize all life aspects for integrity, reliability, and potential security risks, often requiring disclosure of past drug use, financial issues, and undisclosed criminal records, making them incredibly difficult to pass if issues exist. 

Does the FBI hire felons?

Be a U.S. citizen. Public record must be in good standing with no felony convictions.

What will fail a federal background check?

Federal employment background checks disqualify candidates for issues like serious criminal history (especially felonies, treason, espionage), dishonesty (lying on applications), financial irresponsibility (major debt, loan defaults, tax issues), recent illegal drug use, and sometimes concerning foreign contacts or mental health conditions that affect job performance, with specific bans for severe offenses like domestic violence (affecting firearm possession) or terrorism. Disqualification depends on the job's sensitivity, with some crimes leading to permanent bans, while others are reviewed case-by-case.
 

What states are felony friendly?

These Are the States Most Likely to Hire Former Felons

• California.
• Colorado.
• Kansas.
• Maryland.
• Massachusetts.
• Montana.
• Nevada.
• New Hampshire.

Can you work for USPS with a felony?

It is Postal Service policy to evaluate the employability of each applicant with a criminal conviction record individually. The fact that an applicant has a criminal conviction record is not sufficient to disqualify that applicant from postal employment.

What can stop you from getting a federal job?

Federal employment disqualifiers often involve dishonesty on applications, serious criminal history (especially recent felonies, DUIs, or drug offenses), significant financial mismanagement, or current illegal drug use, but decisions are made case-by-case using the "whole person concept," weighing negative factors against mitigating circumstances like rehabilitation or honesty. Specific roles have stricter rules, but common red flags include falsifying documents, recent major crimes (like fraud, kidnapping, assault), severe financial distress (delinquent taxes, loans), and ongoing substance abuse. 

What is the 5 year rule for federal employees?

The federal employee 5-year rule primarily refers to the requirement to maintain continuous enrollment in the Federal Employees' Health Benefits (FEHB) program or Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) for the five years immediately preceding retirement to keep those benefits into retirement, with specific service-based eligibility rules for the FERS pension also requiring at least five years of service for immediate retirement, especially at age 62. This "five-year rule" ensures continuity, but exceptions exist, such as OPM waivers for FEHB, and breaks in service might reset the clock for health/life insurance. 

How to fail a federal background check?

Federal employment background checks disqualify candidates for issues like serious criminal history (especially felonies, treason, espionage), dishonesty (lying on applications), financial irresponsibility (major debt, loan defaults, tax issues), recent illegal drug use, and sometimes concerning foreign contacts or mental health conditions that affect job performance, with specific bans for severe offenses like domestic violence (affecting firearm possession) or terrorism. Disqualification depends on the job's sensitivity, with some crimes leading to permanent bans, while others are reviewed case-by-case.
 

What looks bad on a background check?

Things that look bad on a background check include criminal records (especially job-related offenses), significant inconsistencies on resumes (like falsified degrees or job titles), frequent job hopping, unexplained employment gaps, poor credit (for financial roles), negative social media activity (hate speech, unprofessionalism), and failed drug/driving tests, all suggesting dishonesty, instability, or risk to the employer. 

How far back does a federal background check go?

In states like California, criminal background checks go back seven years. However, some states allow a deeper look into your past if the job pays a higher salary (usually over $75,000). Some government jobs or jobs with access to sensitive information may allow - even require - background checks further.

What makes a person fail a background check?

You fail a background check due to red flags like criminal history, lying on your application (education, job history), a failed drug test, a poor driving record, or issues like bad credit for finance roles, all of which signal a potential mismatch with the job's requirements or company standards. Other common reasons include unverifiable credentials, negative references, or even inconsistent personal identification details. 

What jobs can you not do with a felony?

While there's no universal "forbidden" list, felons often face significant barriers in jobs requiring licenses (teaching, law, healthcare), government roles (police, security clearance), finance (banking, trading), transportation (pilots, conductors), and any position involving vulnerable populations (children, elderly), with restrictions varying by state and the nature of the conviction, especially for crimes related to honesty, violence, or substance abuse. 

What jobs pay felons the most?

12 highest-paying jobs for people with criminal records

• Digital marketer. ...
• Freelance designer. ...
• Painter. ...
• Maintenance worker. ...
• Entrepreneur. ...
• Web developer. ...
• Truck driver. ...
• Barber.

What is a red flag for a security clearance?

The most common security clearance disqualifiers include: Not a U.S. Citizen. Not loyal to the U.S. / foreign influence. Illegal drug use/involvement.

What are the most common clearance denials?

• Reason #1: Drug Use.
• Reason #2: Personal Conduct.
• Reason #3: Financial Issues.
• Reason #4: Foreign Influence.
• What Percentage of Security Clearances Are Denied?
• Secure Your Future: Expert Legal Aid for Protecting Your Security Clearance.