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.

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