The RHO and Sexual Conviction Record Check Scheme

Under the Sexual Conviction Record Check Scheme, prospective employers hiring an eligible applicant to work with children or mentally incapacitated persons may request a check to determine whether the applicant has any conviction records for specified sexual offences. The offences subject to checking range from rape and indecent assault to sexual offences against children or mentally incapacitated persons. This scheme is intended to help employers better assess whether an eligible applicant is suitable for work involving children or mentally incapacitated persons, and therefore applies only to eligible applicants serving these groups, such as teachers, school janitors, school bus drivers, or bus assistants.  

An “eligible applicant” under the Scheme means: 

1. Prospective employees, 

2. Contract renewal staff, and 

3. Prospective self-employed persons. 

Employers may communicate with the eligible applicant to confirm whether their daily duties involve frequent contact with children or mentally incapacitated persons and, with the applicant’s consent, request the check. 

Starting from 16 December 2024, the scope of the Scheme has been expanded to include prospective self-employed persons, such as private tutors and personal caregivers. The definition of employers has also been broadened beyond organisations or companies to include individuals, such as parents. On 15 December 2025, the Scheme was further expanded to cover volunteers. The government has indicated that it will eventually extend the Scheme to all existing employees and self‑employed persons once the expanded system operates smoothly. 

Eligible applicants may apply for the check at the Sexual Conviction Record Check Office at Police Headquarters in Wan Chai. Alternatively, they may submit the application form, upload documents, pay the fee, and book a fingerprinting appointment via the Police’s online services platform. Fingerprinting can be done at Police Headquarters or designated 24‑hour police stations. Applications submitted or renewed on or after December 16, 2024, will be valid for 36 months, while applications submitted before that date will be valid for 18 months. Applicants may apply for renewal during the final three months of the validity period, entirely online, without needing to visit the police headquarters in person. However, if the validity period has expired, a new application must be submitted.  

Whether or not there are such convictions is disclosed only to the applicant. After successfully submitting fingerprints, the applicant will receive a letter containing a unique enquiry code. The applicant may provide this code and the first four digits of their identity document to the prospective employer, who can then use an automated telephone enquiry system to check the result. During the validity period (36 months for applications submitted or renewed on or after December 16, 2024; 18 months for applications submitted before that date), the applicant and any authorised employers may check the result an unlimited number of times. 

The prospective employer will only be informed whether the applicant has any conviction records for specified sexual offences. No further details of the conviction will be disclosed. Convictions that are regarded as “spent” under Section 2(1) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Ordinance, including sexual offences, are also not included in the disclosure. Please note that the enquiry code and result are confidential, and employers must safeguard the applicant’s personal data and must not disclose or share it with third parties.