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IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER

This guide provides general information about employment opportunities in the state or jurisdiction covered by this guide. While we strive for accuracy, hiring policies change frequently. Always verify current hiring practices directly with employers. Individual results vary based on offense type, time since conviction, and specific job requirements. This is not legal advice. Consult an attorney for guidance on your specific situation.

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Felon Friendly Jobs in Orlando, FL

2026 Employers, Free Reentry Help and Record Clearing

November 3, 2026

Looking for felon friendly jobs in Orlando? Orlando is the seat of Orange County and the hub of Central Florida's job market, with tourism, health care and life sciences among its biggest employers. Both the City of Orlando and Orange County Government have removed the conviction question from their job applications. Hiring decisions are made case by case, so always check the current job posting for the role and location you want. Last reviewed November 2026.

Employers hiring in the Orlando area

The Orlando Economic Partnership lists Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, Universal Orlando Resort and Orlando Health among the region's leading employers. The national employers below hire across the metro; start with our guides, then search each careers site for openings near you.

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Free job and reentry help in Orlando

Clearing your record in Florida

Florida has two forms of record relief, sealing and expungement, and both are narrow:

  • Florida offers court-ordered sealing and expungement. First you apply to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for a Certificate of Eligibility ($75 fee), then you file a petition in court, and the judge decides. Some records are sealed automatically when the clerk sends FDLE a qualifying case result.

  • In general you can seal or expunge only one arrest record, in one proceeding. A record that has been sealed for 10 years may become eligible for expungement.

  • You aren't eligible if you were ever adjudicated guilty of any crime as an adult, and a felony conviction blocks relief even if your civil rights were restored. Some serious offenses, such as murder, sexual battery, robbery, arson, child abuse and drug trafficking, can't be sealed even when adjudication was withheld. A 2026 bill that would have allowed sealing some misdemeanor convictions didn't pass, so guides saying otherwise are wrong.

  • Community Legal Services holds free sealing and expungement clinics for Orange County charges. The Ninth Circuit State Attorney's Office answers process questions at 407-836-2492 but can't help you file.

Your rights when applying in Orlando

  • Florida law (F.S. 112.011) says state agencies, counties and cities can't reject you only because of a past conviction, but they may if it was a felony or first-degree misdemeanor directly related to the job. Police, corrections, fire and some public safety jobs are exempt.

  • Orange County Government doesn't ask about convictions on its application (since 2021). It runs background checks after a conditional offer and reviews each applicant individually; public safety jobs are excluded.

  • The City of Orlando removed the conviction question from city job applications in 2015. These city and county policies cover government jobs only, so most private employers can still ask about records.

  • Federal Bonding Program: FloridaCommerce certifies a free fidelity bond of $5,000 to $25,000 for your first six months on the job. Request it at a CareerSource center with a written job offer.

  • The federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit lapsed for people hired after December 31, 2025, and hadn't been renewed as of fall 2026.

Next steps

Sources

This page is for general information and is not legal advice. Employer policies and laws change; confirm details with the employer or a legal aid organization before you rely on them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Orange County Government ask about my record?

Not on the first application. It runs a background check after a conditional job offer, and public safety jobs are excluded.

Does the City of Orlando ask about convictions?

The city removed the conviction question from its job applications in 2015, though a background check may still happen later.

Can private employers in Orlando ask about my record?

Yes, most can. The city and county policies cover only government jobs.

Can a government job turn me down because of my record?

Florida law says a state, county or city employer can't reject you only because of a past conviction. They can if it was a felony or first-degree misdemeanor directly related to the job, and police, corrections and fire jobs are exempt.

Can I seal a record if adjudication was withheld?

Possibly. People with a withhold or dropped charges may qualify, but some serious offenses can't be sealed and the judge has the final say.

Can I seal a conviction in Florida?

Usually not. If you were adjudicated guilty of any crime as an adult, FDLE will deny the application. Relief is mainly for people whose adjudication was withheld or whose charges were dropped.

Where can I get free help sealing my record in Orlando?

Community Legal Services holds free sealing and expungement clinics for Orange County charges; check its website for upcoming dates.

Where can I get free job help in Orlando?

CareerSource Central Florida offers free career coaching, resume help and job placement, and Goodwill and United Against Poverty run free job programs.

What is the Federal Bonding Program?

It's free insurance that protects an employer for your first six months on the job. Ask a CareerSource center about it once you have a written job offer.

Is the WOTC tax credit still available to employers?

No. It lapsed for people hired after December 31, 2025, and hadn't been renewed as of fall 2026.

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