{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-is-the-specific-look-back-period-for-an-owner-s-prior-felony-conviction-on-sba-form-1","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/questions/what-is-the-specific-look-back-period-for-an-owner-s-prior-felony-conviction-on-sba-form-1","question":"What is the specific look-back period for an owner's prior felony conviction on SBA Form 1919?","topic":"Criminal history","audience":"lender","bot_mode":"lender","short_answer":"SBA Form 1919 requires disclosure of felony convictions within the last five years, or any felony conviction that resulted in incarceration, probation, or parole in the last five years.","rule":"SBA's character requirements on Form 1919 specifically ask about felony convictions within the preceding five years, or any felony conviction where the applicant is currently incarcerated, on probation, or parole. This look-back period helps the SBA assess an applicant's character and risk, impacting eligibility. An applicant with a disqualifying conviction within this period is generally ineligible.","example":"A principal on a 7(a) loan application discloses a felony conviction for a non-financial crime that occurred seven years ago, with all incarceration and parole completed six years ago. The lender determines this conviction falls outside the current five-year look-back window and does not automatically disqualify the applicant based on that specific question.","what_lenders_check":"Lenders must accurately interpret and apply the criminal history questions on Form 1919. Any discrepancies or undisclosed information can jeopardize the guaranty. Thorough documentation of the principal's response and any supporting legal documents is critical.","required_facts":["Felony conviction","Look-back period","Incarceration status","SBA Form 1919"],"source_families":["SBA Form 1919 - Borrower Information Form","Criminal Justice Reviews for SBA Business Loan Programs - Final Rule","Policy Notice 5000-876441 - Citizenship and Residency Requirements"],"official_sources":[{"title":"SBA Form 1919 - Borrower Information Form","url":"https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2025-03/2025.02.27%20Form%201919%20-%20Updates%20%28FINAL%29_03-12-2025%20%281%29.pdf"},{"title":"Criminal Justice Reviews for SBA Business Loan Programs - Final Rule","url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/04/30/2024-09009/criminal-justice-reviews-for-the-sba-business-loan-programs-disaster-loan-programs-and-surety-bond"},{"title":"Policy Notice 5000-876441 - Citizenship and Residency Requirements","url":"https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2026-02/Policy%20Notice%205000-876441%20-%20Update%20to%20Citizenship%20and%20Residency%20Requirements%20and%20Recission%20of%20PN%2050000-872050.pdf"}],"related_questions":[],"related_terms":[{"term":"Look-Back Period","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/look-back-period"},{"term":"Felony Conviction","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/felony-conviction"},{"term":"Look-back periods","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/look-back-periods"},{"term":"Discharged felony conviction","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/discharged-felony-conviction"},{"term":"Claim on the SBA Guarantee","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/claim-on-the-sba-guarantee"},{"term":"Prior SBA approval","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/prior-sba-approval"}],"related_tools":[{"name":"SBA 7(a) payment & fee calculator","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/calculator"},{"name":"Find an active SBA 7(a) lender","url":"https://dealroom.so/lenders"}],"data_freshness":{"last_reviewed":"2026-06-13","sba_rule_sources_checked_through":"2026-06-13"},"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so SBA 7(a) Q&A","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-is-the-specific-look-back-period-for-an-owner-s-prior-felony-conviction-on-sba-form-1","source_type":"DealRoom Q&A"},"caveats":["Grounded in the current SBA rulebook; verify against official sources before relying on it for a live deal.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice and not an approval decision."]}