California Job Application Form Template

Updated on August 4, 2026

California's Fair Chance Act bars a conviction question on the application entirely for employers with 5 or more employees, and bars any inquiry into criminal history until after a conditional offer of employment has been made. This form leaves that question out by design, and adds the pay-scale request right most competitor templates leave out entirely.

The form below is the editor: type straight into the highlighted blanks. A candidate can complete the form and sign the certification on screen, or you can download a clean Word or PDF file to hand out — no sign-up, no watermark.

0 of 12 blanks filled

Tap any highlighted blank in the document below and type straight into it.Free — no sign-up, no watermark

Job Application Form

This application is submitted to by on .

1. Applicant

Address:
Phone:
Email:

2. Position

Position applied for:
Availability:
Desired compensation:

3. Pay Scale Request

Applicants may request the pay scale for this position. Under California Labor Code §432.3, the Employer must provide a good-faith estimate of the wage range it reasonably expects to pay for this position upon hire.

4. Education

5. Employment History

6. References

7. Certification

I certify that the information provided in this application is true and complete to the best of my knowledge.

The Applicant

Date:

No conviction question — by law, not just by choice

Under the Fair Chance Act (Government Code §12952), an employer with 5 or more employees cannot ask about criminal history anywhere on the job application, and cannot make any inquiry into it until after extending a conditional offer of employment. This form doesn't include a conviction question at all, and isn't meant to — adding one back in would put a California employer out of compliance.

The pay-scale request right most applicants don't know they have

Under Labor Code §432.3(c)(1), an applicant can request the pay scale for the position they're applying to, and a California employer must provide it — this duty has no employer-size threshold and has applied since 2018. Separately, Senate Bill 642 (effective January 1, 2026) tightened what counts as a valid "pay scale": it must now be a good-faith estimate of the wage range the employer reasonably expects to pay for the position upon hire, closing the loophole of overly broad, meaningless ranges some employers previously posted.

The sections, explained

Applicant and position: Name, contact details, position applied for, and availability.
Desired compensation: What the candidate is looking for — California also bars asking about salary history, so this form only asks for what's desired.
Pay scale request: Tells the applicant they can request the pay scale for the position, which the employer must provide under Labor Code §432.3(c)(1).
Education and employment history: The candidate's education background and prior employment — no conviction question is included, in compliance with the Fair Chance Act.
Certification: The candidate certifies the information provided is accurate, signed and dated.

Requirements checklist

No conviction question before a conditional offer
Employers with 5+ employees cannot ask about criminal history on the application, and cannot inquire at all until after a conditional offer of employment.
Cal. Gov. Code §12952
Pay-scale request right, no employer-size threshold
An applicant can request the pay scale for the position, and the employer must provide it — this duty applies to employers of any size.
Cal. Labor Code §432.3
SB 642 (2026): pay scale must be a good-faith estimate for the position upon hire
As of January 1, 2026, a valid pay scale must be a good-faith estimate of the wage range the employer reasonably expects to pay for the position upon hire — broad, non-specific ranges no longer satisfy the duty.
SB 642 (2025-2026)
No salary-history questions
California bars asking a candidate about their current or prior salary.
Cal. Labor Code §432.3(b)

How to use this template

Fill in the applicant and position details. Type into the highlighted blanks: the candidate's contact details, the position applied for, and availability.
Leave the criminal history section out. This form doesn't include a conviction question, in compliance with the Fair Chance Act — don't add one back in.
Add education and employment history. Fill in the education background and prior employment blanks.
Have the applicant certify and sign, then download. The applicant signs the certification on the signature line at the foot of the form. Download it as a Word or PDF file for your records.

Frequently asked questions

Can I add a criminal conviction question to this form?

No — for employers with 5 or more employees, California's Fair Chance Act bars asking about criminal history on the application entirely. This form is designed to stay compliant by leaving it out.

Can an applicant ask what the job pays?

Yes — under Labor Code §432.3(c)(1), an applicant can request the pay scale for the position, and the employer must provide it, regardless of employer size.

What changed with SB 642?

Effective January 1, 2026, a valid pay scale must be a good-faith estimate of the wage range the employer reasonably expects to pay for the position upon hire — vague or overly broad ranges no longer satisfy the requirement.

Can I ask about the candidate's current salary?

No — California bars asking about salary history. This form only asks for the candidate's desired compensation.

When can I ask about criminal history?

Only after extending a conditional offer of employment — never on the application itself or earlier in the process, for employers with 5 or more employees.

Related templates

Disclaimer

This template and guide are provided for general information only and do not constitute legal advice. California hiring law changes over time. Confirm current requirements with the California Civil Rights Department or an employment attorney before finalizing your application form.