New Hampshire
New Hampshire
Final grade: A-
Exclusion Grade
B-
Relevance Grade
A
Due Process Grade
A-
Strengths
- Boards may only consider directly related crimes and must evaluate multiple mitigating factors (including evidence of rehabilitation) for licensing applications.
- Strong protections for due process.
Areas of Improvement
- Ban boards from using vague standards like “moral turpitude” and “good character” to disqualify applicants.
- Prevent agencies from considering old convictions.
New Hampshire’s laws on ex-offender licensing are some of the best in the nation, securing an A- thanks to a 2018 reform. New Hampshire also receives one of the highest grades in both the Relevance and Due Process categories.
Statute: N.H. Rev. Stat. §§ 332-G:10, G:13 (2014 & 2018), N.H. Rev. Stat. § 651:5 (2018)
Exclusion
| Overarching ban on blanket bans | Yes |
| Ban on considering arrest records | Yes |
| Ban on considering post-conviction relief records | Yes, annulled records |
| Time limit | No limit |
| Ban on vague, discretionary character standards | No |
Relevance
| Relationship between the crime and the license sought | "Substantial and direct relationship to the occupation" |
| Required factors for consideration | |
| Rehabilitation | Yes |
| Time elapsed since crime was committed | Yes |
| Age when crime was committed | No |
| Employment History | Yes |
| Testimonials | Yes |
Due Process
| Petition Process | Yes |
| Burden of Proof | Burden unspecified, state requires clear and convincing evidence |
| Right to appeal | Yes |
| Written notice requirement | Yes |