Does CVS Hire Felons in 2024? Here‘s Everything You Need to Know

Having a felony conviction makes finding a job exponentially harder. Many employers won‘t even consider applicants with a criminal record. According to the National Institute of Justice, over 75% of ex-felons struggle to find stable employment in their first year after release.

But major retailers like CVS do open their doors to felons for certain positions. In my 5 years of experience in HR, I‘ve seen companies increasingly move to a fair chance hiring model. With realistic expectations and the right approach, you can get a job at CVS despite having a felony.

Official CVS Policies on Hiring Felons

CVS does not have any official policy that automatically disqualifies felons from employment. According to a company spokesperson, CVS considers:

• The nature and gravity of past crimes
• The time passed since conviction and completion of the sentence
• Evidence of rehabilitation

They evaluate felons for employment on an individual basis instead of blanket discrimination. Certain roles do remain off limits to felons, which I‘ll cover shortly.

Positions Most Accessible to Felons

While exclusions apply for management and pharmacy jobs, most front end and entry-level roles are attainable for felons at CVS.

Some of the most felon-friendly positions at CVS include:

• Cashier
• Retail store associate
• Customer service associate
• Stocker / inventory clerk
• Loss prevention officer
• Photo lab technician
• Shift supervisor

I would avoid applying to jobs in asset protection, pharmacy services, or operations management with a felony conviction.

Here‘s a table summarizing accessible and restricted roles:

CVS Background Check Policy

CVS conducts criminal background checks on all job candidates as part of the hiring process. Background checks at CVS go back 7 years for most positions.

Some states limit background checks used for employment to only show convictions less than 7 years old. These states include California, Colorado, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Texas, and Washington.

Always be transparent about your criminal history upfront in the job interview. Don‘t let the background check surprise them. Show you have nothing to hide.

Does CVS Drug Test Employees?

CVS administers drug tests in certain situations, such as:

• Pre-employment: Drug tests are required before hiring for pharmacy staff and management roles.
• Reasonable suspicion: Employees can be tested if management has evidence of on-duty drug use.
• Post-accident: Employees must take a drug test after any workplace accidents.

While not all staff seem to be regularly tested after hiring, it‘s best to expect you may have to take a pre-employment drug screening.

Evaluating Felons in the Hiring Process

Based on my experience, here are some factors HR considers when deciding whether to hire a felon:

• Time since conviction – Applicants with older offenses tend to fare better. CVS is more open to those with convictions more than 2-3 years in the past.

• Relevance of crime to position – Convictions directly related to the job duties like theft for a cashier role raise larger red flags. Burglary would disqualify more for loss prevention jobs.

• Repeat offenses – One isolated conviction in someone‘s past is perceived very differently from multiple arrests and convictions over time. Recidivism signals higher risk.

• Evidence of rehabilitation – Felons who earn industry certifications, maintain steady employment, or have solid references ease HR concerns.

• Remorse and character – Admitting past mistakes with humility and integrity resonates more than excuses.

With an honest evaluation, companies like CVS give the majority of felons a fair chance while also protecting the business.

Tips to Improve Your Chances

I advise felon applicants to:

• Research company policies and be realistic about positions in reach.
• Fully own your criminal record from the start.
• Highlight work history and anything that shows you‘ve turned your life around.
• Obtain training, certifications or education related to the field.
• Secure strong references from employers, teachers, or counselors.
• If denied a job, ask politely for feedback on your application.

Showing transparency, hard work, and perseverance gives you your best shot. With the right qualifications and attitude, you can get your foot in the door at CVS.

The Bottom Line

While exceptions exist, CVS does consider hiring felons for a number of entry-level store roles. Focus on customer service, cashiering, stocking and photo lab positions over pharmacy, asset protection, and management jobs.

The specific nature of your conviction, when it occurred, and how you‘ve changed your life since are all key factors. With an honest approach, you can potentially start a rewarding career at CVS.