Certificate of Good Conduct

A Certificate of Good Conduct (CGC) gives you a legal finding that you are reformed after a conviction. The CGC removes some of the Collateral Consequences of a criminal conviction. The CGC allows you to apply for certain jobs, licenses, public office, housing or other rights that you lost when you were convicted. But, having a CGC is not a guarantee that your application will be granted. And, even if you have a CGC, you still have to say that you have a criminal conviction when you fill out a job application.

You are eligible to apply for a CGC if you have been convicted of 2 or more separate felonies, or if you want a job that is a Public Office (for public office jobs it doesn’t matter how many convictions you have, you need a CGC). When counting felony convictions, federal and out-of-state charges count too. If you are not sure about your criminal history visit Criminal Records to learn more. If you have been convicted of less than 2 felonies, visit Certificate of Relief from Civil Disabilities.

One CGC will cover all your felony and misdemeanor convictions.

 

When to Apply

You must wait before you can apply for a CGC. You must show that you have completed a period of good conduct in the community:

• If you have been convicted of an A or B felony, you must wait 5 years before getting a CGC.
• If your most serious conviction is a C, D or E felony, you must wait 3 years before getting a CGC
• If you have only been convicted of misdemeanors, you must wait 1 year before getting a CGC.

The waiting period starts from the last time you got out of prison (onto parole or maxed out) or the date of your last conviction if you didn’t get state prison time, whichever was last.

Where to Apply

You apply to the Department of Corrections and Community Supervisionto get a CGC. You do not apply to the court.