What jobs disqualify felons?

Asked by: Prof. Elwin Dietrich PhD  |  Last update: July 17, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (48 votes)

They're typically restricted from credentials for occupations in the Department of Public Health's jurisdiction or in real estate, the distribution of drugs or pharmaceuticals, pest control, embalming and insurance sales.

What is the best job for a felon?

Lot of skilled trade jobs like construction, welding, landscaping, electrician, plumber, pipefitter and gas fitter will hire felons which you can find on indeed and Craigslist along with in person job site. Also truck driving too. Even restraunts and slaughterhouses along with meat packing plants.

What convictions can stop you from getting a job?

Theft/Shoplifting – Any conviction involving an element of dishonesty or stealing is a huge red flag for employers. They may worry you could steal from the company. Drug Possession – Even a minor marijuana possession charge can disqualify you from many jobs, especially those involving operating vehicles or machinery.

What are you not allowed to do as a felon?

The rights most often curtailed include the right to vote and hold public office, employment rights, domestic rights, and financial and contractual rights. State statutes and local ordinances are the traditional means for abridging the rights of convicted criminals.

Do felonies go away after 7 years?

Dismissed felony charges can usually be sealed or expunged right away. In California, a felony conviction stays on your record forever if you do not get it expunged. You may be eligible for an expungement if you did not serve time in state prison.

Best Jobs for Felons | Jobs After Prison

22 related questions found

Will a felony show up on a background check after 10 years?

Under Cal. Civ. Code 1786.18(a)(7), California mandates that a conviction can't be reported when it's older than seven years. Arrests that didn't lead to convictions can't be reported regardless of how much time has elapsed.

How long are you considered a felon?

A felony charge will stay on your record for life. The only way to remove a felony from your record is through a strict process called expungement (more on expungement below).

How does a felony affect your life?

Under California law, a felony is a serious criminal offense that can result in imprisonment for more than one year. Felonies are considered more severe than misdemeanors and can have significant consequences, including loss of voting rights (while in prison), professional licenses, and the ability to own firearms.

What jobs are off limits to felons?

They're typically restricted from credentials for occupations in the Department of Public Health's jurisdiction or in real estate, the distribution of drugs or pharmaceuticals, pest control, embalming and insurance sales.

Can a felon buy a house?

If you have a felony on your record and are wondering if you can still buy a house, you've come to the right place. The answer is a resounding yes. Thankfully, federal and state governments don't have laws restricting homeownership for the formerly incarcerated — even if you have a felony conviction.

What looks bad on a background check?

Warning signs on a background check include multiple periods of unexplained unemployment, inconsistent information, short periods of employment, minimal relevant job experience, no required education or training, professional license issues, dangerous criminal convictions, job-related criminal convictions, bad ...

Does Amazon hire felons?

Yes, Amazon does hire felons. Your eligibility for employment will depend on the type of felony, time since you have fulfilled your sentence and corrective actions you have completed.

What states are felon friendly?

These Are the States Most Likely to Hire Former Felons
  • California.
  • Colorado.
  • Kansas.
  • Maryland.
  • Massachusetts.
  • Montana.
  • Nevada.
  • New Hampshire.

Does FedEx hire felons?

Yes, FedEx has been known to hire felons in the past and currently. However, that does not mean all felons can get a job with the company. Like all employers, FedEx wants to protect itself from negligent hiring lawsuits. The company might be negligent if it hires a felon who goes on to re-offend on company time.

Does Target hire felons?

Since it is difficult to know precisely how much information Target may receive, applicants should know what their report says beforehand. Will Target Hire a Felon? Yes, Target may choose to hire people who have felony convictions.

Can felons work at Walmart?

Criminal records

Walmart will look at felonies and misdemeanor arrests and convictions for the previous 7 years. Violent, sexual, drug, and financial/larceny offenses are most likely grounds for disqualification. Walmart does not hire violent criminals. Note: Expunged records will not show up on a background check.

Is it hard for a felon to get a job?

The challenges are particularly acute for those with drug and violent crime offenses. Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, found about 75% of hiring managers said they were unwilling to seriously consider applicants convicted of drug, property or violent crimes in a 2021 survey.

Does UPS hire felons?

Does UPS Hire Felons as Drivers or Package Handlers? Yes, UPS has been known to hire felons in many positions throughout the company.

What businesses can a felon start?

What are some business ideas for felons?
  • Start Freelancing On Fiverr Or Upwork.
  • Online Business.
  • Lawn Care Business.
  • Car Wash Owner.
  • Dry Cleaning.
  • Carpentry, Welding, or Plumbing.
  • Affiliate Marketing.
  • Open a Pet Grooming Salon.

What's the worst felony?

A crime that's a Class A federal felony is the worst, with a maximum prison term of life in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. A Class E federal felony involves a prison term of more than one year but less than five years and a maximum fine of $5,000.

What jobs can a felon not have?

Furthermore, certain jobs require professional licenses, which can be denied due to a felony conviction. Occupations such as nursing, teaching, and law are just a few where license denial is common if you have a felony on your record.

Does a felony go away after 10 years?

Felony convictions are not automatically expunged with the passage of time but require the filing and granting of an Expungement Petition by the Court. Many felony cases are "wobblers"; that is, they can be reduced to misdemeanors (even after many years) and then expunged in the same court proceeding.

How many years does a felony show up on a background check?

Although the FCRA does not impose a time limit on criminal convictions, employers using CRAs for background checks must follow stricter California state laws. California's Investigative Consumer Reporting Agency Act (ICRAA) generally restricts CRAs from reporting conviction records over seven years old.

What do you call a person with a felony?

Technically, a felon is anyone who's been convicted of a serious crime, but you can use felon to describe anyone you think has done something terrible. For a felon, it's being paraded in handcuffs in front of the public that can be the worst part of being convicted.

How to recover from a felony conviction?

In California, expungement can offer a fresh start. It doesn't completely erase your record, but it can show that you've served your time and moved on. Record sealing is another option, making your record less visible to the public eye.