Does Wyoming have ban-the-box?

No. Wyoming does not have a ban-the-box law for either public or private employers. Employers can ask about criminal history on job applications and at any point during the hiring process. Wyoming is one of the states with the fewest protections for job seekers with criminal records.

Can I get my record expunged in Wyoming?

Wyoming allows expungement for certain offenses under Wyo. Stat. § 7-13-1501 et seq. Eligible offenses include certain misdemeanors and non-violent felonies. You must have completed your entire sentence (including probation, parole, and payment of fines/restitution), waited the required period, and demonstrated rehabilitation. Violent felonies, sex offenses, and homicide are not eligible. You must petition the court.

What is a certificate of rehabilitation in Wyoming?

A certificate of rehabilitation (Wyo. Stat. § 7-13-1101 et seq.) is a court document that acknowledges you have been rehabilitated. It does not seal or expunge your criminal record — the record remains visible on background checks. However, it can be presented to employers and licensing boards as official evidence that you have turned your life around. Some licensing boards are required to consider the certificate when evaluating applications.

Can a Wyoming employer refuse to hire me because of an old conviction?

Yes. Wyoming has no state law preventing employers from considering old convictions, and there is no requirement to evaluate whether the conviction is relevant to the job. Wyoming has very limited protections for job seekers with criminal records compared to many other states. Federal EEOC guidance recommends individualized assessment, but it is not mandated by Wyoming law.

Will a dismissed charge show up on a Wyoming background check?

A dismissed charge may appear on a background check unless you have petitioned for expungement under Wyo. Stat. § 7-13-1401. Once expunged, the record should not appear on standard background checks. If you have dismissed charges, pursuing expungement is recommended.

Does Wyoming have any automatic record clearing?

No. Wyoming does not have a Clean Slate law or automatic record-clearing mechanism. All expungement requires filing a petition with the court. The certificate of rehabilitation also requires a petition and does not clear the underlying record.

How long do I have to wait before I can apply for expungement in Wyoming?

Waiting periods vary by offense type. Generally, you must have completed your entire sentence — including probation, parole, and payment of all fines and restitution — before the waiting period begins. The specific waiting period depends on the classification of the offense. Consult with a Wyoming attorney or legal aid organization for guidance on your specific situation.

Wyoming Background Check Laws

No state lookback limitLast updated: 2026-04-01

Wyoming has no state lookback limit — convictions appear on background checks indefinitely. There is no ban-the-box law and no Clean Slate law. Limited expungement is available for certain misdemeanors and non-violent felonies. Protections for job seekers with records are very limited compared to most other states.

Overview

Wyoming does not impose a state-level time limit on how far back employers can look at criminal convictions. Under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), convictions can be reported indefinitely, and Wyoming has no stricter state law. A conviction from decades ago can still appear on a standard employment background check. Wyoming does not have a ban-the-box law for either public or private employers. Employers can ask about criminal history at any point in the hiring process, including on initial job applications. Wyoming does not have a Clean Slate law. The state offers limited expungement for certain misdemeanors and non-violent felonies under Wyo. Stat. § 7-13-1501 et seq. Eligible individuals can petition for expungement after completing their sentence and a waiting period. However, many offenses are excluded, and the overall protections for job seekers with criminal records in Wyoming are among the most limited in the country. Wyoming does have a certificate of rehabilitation process that can help demonstrate rehabilitation to employers and licensing boards, though it does not seal or expunge the underlying record.

How Far Back Does a Background Check Go in Wyoming?

Record Type	Rule in Wyoming
Felony Convictions	Reported indefinitely. No state time limit on felony conviction reporting. Some non-violent felonies may be eligible for expungement by petition.
Misdemeanor Convictions	Reported indefinitely. No state time limit on misdemeanor conviction reporting. Many misdemeanors are eligible for expungement after a waiting period.
All Convictions	No state limit. Convictions can be reported indefinitely under FCRA defaults. Wyoming has no statute restricting how far back consumer reporting agencies can report criminal convictions.
Arrests (No Conviction)	Under the FCRA, arrests that did not lead to conviction can be reported for up to 7 years. Wyoming does not impose a stricter limit. Arrests resulting in dismissal or acquittal may be eligible for expungement.
Pending Cases	Pending charges can be reported and considered by employers. Wyoming does not restrict reporting of pending criminal cases.

Ban the Box / Fair Chance

No statewide law

Wyoming does not have a ban-the-box law at the state level for either public or private employers. Employers can ask about criminal history on job applications and at any stage of the hiring process. No Wyoming cities or counties have enacted local ban-the-box ordinances as of 2026.

Clean Slate / Auto-Sealing

No Clean Slate law

Wyoming does not have a Clean Slate law providing automatic record sealing or expungement. All record clearing requires filing a petition with the court. Under Wyo. Stat. § 7-13-1501 et seq., certain misdemeanors and non-violent felonies can be expunged by petition after completion of sentence and a waiting period. Violent felonies, sex offenses, and homicide are not eligible. Wyoming also offers a certificate of rehabilitation that does not seal records but can demonstrate rehabilitation to employers and licensing agencies.

What Employers Can Do in Wyoming

When can employers ask about criminal history?: Wyoming employers — both public and private — can ask about criminal history at any point in the hiring process, including on the initial job application. There are no state restrictions on timing.
What can they consider?: Wyoming employers can consider any conviction regardless of age or relevance to the job. There is no state law requiring individualized assessment or evaluation of the relationship between a conviction and the position. Federal EEOC guidance recommends considering the nature of the offense, time elapsed, and job relevance, but this is not mandated by Wyoming state law. Wyoming has very limited protections for job seekers with criminal records.
Individualized assessment required?: No state requirement for individualized assessment, though EEOC guidance recommends it.

Key Laws in Wyoming

Wyo. Stat. § 7-13-1501 et seq. (Expungement of Criminal Records)
Provides for expungement of certain misdemeanor and non-violent felony convictions by petition after completion of sentence and applicable waiting periods. Violent felonies, sex offenses, and homicide are excluded. The petitioner must demonstrate rehabilitation and that expungement serves the interest of justice.
Wyo. Stat. § 7-13-1101 et seq. (Certificate of Rehabilitation)
Allows eligible individuals to obtain a certificate of rehabilitation demonstrating they have been rehabilitated. Does not seal or expunge the record but can be presented to employers and licensing boards as evidence of rehabilitation.
Wyo. Stat. § 7-13-1401 (Expungement of Non-Conviction Records)
Provides for expungement of arrest records and charges that did not result in conviction, including dismissals and acquittals.
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) — Federal(1970)
Federal law governing background check agencies. Allows reporting of convictions indefinitely but limits reporting of non-conviction arrests to 7 years. Requires applicant consent before running a background check.

Frequently Asked Questions — Wyoming

How far back does a background check go in Wyoming?: Wyoming has no state limit on how far back criminal convictions can be reported. Under the FCRA, convictions can appear indefinitely. Arrests that did not lead to conviction are limited to 7 years under federal law. A decades-old conviction will still appear on a Wyoming background check unless it has been expunged.
Does Wyoming have ban-the-box?: No. Wyoming does not have a ban-the-box law for either public or private employers. Employers can ask about criminal history on job applications and at any point during the hiring process. Wyoming is one of the states with the fewest protections for job seekers with criminal records.
Can I get my record expunged in Wyoming?: Wyoming allows expungement for certain offenses under Wyo. Stat. § 7-13-1501 et seq. Eligible offenses include certain misdemeanors and non-violent felonies. You must have completed your entire sentence (including probation, parole, and payment of fines/restitution), waited the required period, and demonstrated rehabilitation. Violent felonies, sex offenses, and homicide are not eligible. You must petition the court.
What is a certificate of rehabilitation in Wyoming?: A certificate of rehabilitation (Wyo. Stat. § 7-13-1101 et seq.) is a court document that acknowledges you have been rehabilitated. It does not seal or expunge your criminal record — the record remains visible on background checks. However, it can be presented to employers and licensing boards as official evidence that you have turned your life around. Some licensing boards are required to consider the certificate when evaluating applications.
Can a Wyoming employer refuse to hire me because of an old conviction?: Yes. Wyoming has no state law preventing employers from considering old convictions, and there is no requirement to evaluate whether the conviction is relevant to the job. Wyoming has very limited protections for job seekers with criminal records compared to many other states. Federal EEOC guidance recommends individualized assessment, but it is not mandated by Wyoming law.
Will a dismissed charge show up on a Wyoming background check?: A dismissed charge may appear on a background check unless you have petitioned for expungement under Wyo. Stat. § 7-13-1401. Once expunged, the record should not appear on standard background checks. If you have dismissed charges, pursuing expungement is recommended.
Does Wyoming have any automatic record clearing?: No. Wyoming does not have a Clean Slate law or automatic record-clearing mechanism. All expungement requires filing a petition with the court. The certificate of rehabilitation also requires a petition and does not clear the underlying record.
How long do I have to wait before I can apply for expungement in Wyoming?: Waiting periods vary by offense type. Generally, you must have completed your entire sentence — including probation, parole, and payment of all fines and restitution — before the waiting period begins. The specific waiting period depends on the classification of the offense. Consult with a Wyoming attorney or legal aid organization for guidance on your specific situation.

Wyoming Resources

Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation — Criminal Records
The state agency that maintains criminal history records. You can request your own criminal history record here.
Wyoming Legal Services
Provides free legal assistance to low-income Wyoming residents, including help with expungement petitions and employment rights.
Wyoming Department of Workforce Services
Employment resources and workforce programs for Wyoming residents, including those with criminal records.

Disclaimer: This is informational only, not legal advice. Background check laws change frequently. Consult a qualified attorney in Wyoming for advice about your specific situation. Information was last verified on 2026-04-01.

Sources

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