The Supreme Court of Ohio recently unveiled a new webpage compiling available resources for individuals seeking relief from employment restrictions due to past criminal charges.

Certificates of qualification for employment (CQE) are issued by common pleas courts to individuals with state misdemeanor or felony convictions for permission to hold employment or obtain professional licenses in the state. To qualify for a CQE, individuals undergo a broad review by the court, which may require additional information from the individual and other criminal justice professionals before they reach a decision.

Individuals interested in obtaining a CQE must file a petition with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) after a mandatory waiting period based on their conviction. After ODRC’s initial approval, the individual can then file a CQE petition with their county’s common pleas court. From there, courts review the petition, prior convictions, prior military service, and other evidence and filings from the petitioner.

While not all types of convictions are eligible for a CQE, those who are granted a certificate demonstrate that their prior conviction shouldn’t outright exclude them from obtaining employment or a license in Ohio.

Employers also benefit from hiring individuals who have a CQE. From legal protections for potential negligent hiring lawsuits to tax credit and federal bond eligibility, employers can learn more from the Supreme Court resource about hiring an individual with a CQE.

CQEs are one of many reentry services provided by the ODRC. Through services such as lowering the barriers for employment, the ODRC hopes to facilitate successful reintegration for previous offenders.