1.1 Convicted persons who have completed their sentences become rehabilitated after specified periods without further conviction. Examples of the relevant periods for each type of offence are listed in the Act:
| Sentence | Rehabilitation period |
| Imprisonment over 6 months conviction | 10 years from the date of conviction |
| Any Fine | 5 years from the date of conviction |
| Conditional Discharge or Bind-Over | 12 months from the date of conviction |
| Hospital Order (Part III Mental Health Act 1983) | 5 years from the date of conviction or 2 years from the end of the Order, if longer |
1.2 'Imprisonment' includes youth custody or detention in a Young Offender's Institution. The rehabilitation periods for under 18s are half the length of the period for adults.
2.1 Certain types of offence are excluded from rehabilitation. These include offences where the perpetrator was imprisoned for life, or for a period of imprisonment exceeding 30 months, or detained during Her Majesty's Pleasure. Note that the classification is by sentence, not offence.
2.2 There are special, and equivalent, provisions for Service Personnel subject to Services discipline.
3.1 A person who has become rehabilitated by the passage of time after sentence:
4.1 The Act excludes from operation of its regulation (i.e. convictions must be disclosed) certain occupations: