Employment Questions.. Can They Ask That?
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Q: I APPLIED FOR A POSITION (EMPLOYMENT, VOLUNTEER, HOUSING, OR LICENSING) AND WAS DENIED
A: ON THE BASIS OF MY CORI. THE ORGANIZAION TOLD ME THAT I COULD GET A COPY OF MY OWN
CORI, BUT DID NOT PROVIDE ME WITH THIS INFORMATION OR WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE IF
WHAT THE EMPLOYER RECEIVED WAS ACCURATE. CAN I FILE A COMPLAINT?
A: Yes. You may complete and submit a CORI Regulatory Violations Complaint Form. This Form is
available at www.mass.gov/cjis. Generally, under the provisions of the CORI law and regulations, an
organization that is inclined to make an adverse decision on the basis of a CORI is required to provide
the subject with the opportunity to dispute the accuracy of the CORI. The organization is also required
to provide the following information: (a) a copy of the CORI; (b) information regarding which part of the
CORI makes the person ineligible for the position; (c) a copy of the organization’s CORI policy; and (d)
DCJIS’ information regarding the process for correcting a CORI.
Q: WHAT QUESTIONS CAN THEY ASK ABOUT MY CORI IN AN INTERVIEW OR ON AN EMPLOYMENT
APPLICATION?
A: Questions and/or complaints regarding the types of questions that can be asked about your CORI in
the employment context fall within the purview of the Massachusetts Commission Against
Discrimination (MCAD). To learn more about this topic and about how to file a complaint, please visit
the MCAD website at: www.mass.gov/mcad
Q: I WAS RECENTLY ASKED ABOUT MY CORI IN AN INTERVIEW. DO I HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW WHERE
THE INTERVIEWER RECEIVED THE CORI?
A: Yes. The CORI law (M.G.L. c. 6, s. 171A) requires an interviewer to identify the source of the CORI to
the applicant prior to questioning him/her about the information. If you were not provided with this
information, you may file a regulatory violation complaint with the DCJIS using the CORI Regulatory
Violations Complaint Form.
Section 7: List of Relevant Contacts and Websites
The information provided in this booklet is a summary of the applicable laws and regulations. Please see
the following for additional information:
DCJIS website: www.mass.gov/cjis
Phone: 617.660.4640
Massachusetts State Police State Identification Section
Phone: 508.358.3170
Office of the Commissioner of Probation website: www.mass.gov/probation
Phone: 617.727.5300
Greater Boston Legal Services: www.gbls.org
Phone: 617.371.1234
Section 8: Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions regarding my own CORI
Q: HOW DO I OBTAIN A COPY OF MY OWN CORI REPORT?
A: You can obtain a copy of your own CORI Report either using the iCORI system
(https://icori.chs.state.ma.us/icori/ext/global/landing.action?page=1&bod=1530207518325&m=present
Landing) or by submitting a request form via U.S. Mail (https://www.mass.gov/how-to/cori-forms-and-
information)
IMPORTANT: To submit a request electronically, you must have a valid Massachusetts Driver’s License or
Massachusetts Identification Card. To submit via paper form, the completed form must be notarized.
Q: WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I CANNOT AFFORD THE $25 FEE TO OBTAIN A COPY OF MY CORI?
A: There is a fee waiver request process for electronic and paper requests. For electronic requests, this
request is part of the submission. For paper requests, the Fee Waiver Form must be completed and
submitted with the paper request form. Please note that fee waivers ONLY apply to personal requests.
The Form is available at www.mass.gov/files/documents/2017/09/19/Fee%20Waiver%20Form_3.pdf