Spent and unspent convictions
What a spent conviction is
A conviction becomes spent when a specific period of time has passed since the date of the conviction.
This period of time is known as a disclosure period. Once the disclosure period ends and the conviction becomes spent, it is not shown on a Level 1 disclosure.
Some spent convictions must be disclosed on Level 2 disclosures (including PVG).
Find out more about spent convictions, including the rules about when they're disclosed.
Disclosure periods
The length of the disclosure period depends on:
- what your conviction is
- the sentence you got
- your age on the date of the conviction
Find more information on the length of disclosure periods.
If you need help to work out a disclosure period, email ScotlandWorksForYou@gov.scot.
What an unspent conviction is
An unspent conviction is a conviction that is still within its disclosure period. It will show on Level 1 and Level 2 disclosures, including PVG scheme disclosures.