Exemption from Disqualification

In accordance with section 435.07, Florida Statutes, persons disqualified from employment may be granted an exemption from disqualification. The granting of an exemption does not change an individual’s criminal history. It only provides eligibility for employment. An individual seeking an exemption must demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that an exemption from disqualification should be granted. The application will be reviewed, and a decision made once all relevant documentation, listed in the Exemption Form Instructions below, has been received. A person is not eligible to apply for an Exemption from Disqualification until:

  • At least 3 years have elapsed since the applicant for exemption has completed or been lawfully released from confinement, supervision or nonmonetary condition imposed by the court for all disqualifying felonies
  • The applicant for the exemption has completed or been lawfully released from confinement, supervision or nonmonetary condition imposed by the court for all misdemeanors prohibited under any of the statutes cited in this chapter or under similar statutes of other jurisdictions
  • The applicant has paid the court-ordered amount in full for any fee, fine, fund, lien, civil judgment, application, cost of prosecution, trust or restitution as part of the judgment and sentence for any disqualifying felony or misdemeanor;
  • Persons designated as sexual predators, sexual offenders or career offenders are not eligible for an Exemption from Disqualification

Inquiries regarding an exemption request or a Level 2 should be directed to:

State of Florida Department of Elder Affairs
Background Screening Unit
4040 Esplanade Way, Suite 335U
Tallahassee, FL 32399-7000
FAX (850) 617-6595
(850) 414-2093
Or
doeanetwork@elderaffairs.org