In California, all applicants for a professional license undergo a detailed background check. The results may lead to a recommendation that your application is denied. Although you will receive a letter outlining the reasons for the denial, below is an overview of common issues that could impact your application.nNursing License Denied for Failure to DisclosenWhen Assembly Bill 2138 became law on July 1, 2020, applicants for professional licensing could no longer be asked about their criminal history on the application forms. However, that does not absolve you of your duty to disclose any past convictions, and when your background check turns up those details, you could be accused of making false statements on your RN license application.nMany student nurses violate this disclosure requirement through genuine error. They may believe that they didn’t have to disclose a conviction because it was expunged or several years old, so it can’t possibly be on their record any longer. The truth is that when you submit your fingerprints, the BNR has access to the same information available to law enforcement agencies like the Department of Justice and the FBI. If you were ever convicted, they will find out about it.nThe California Board of Registered Nursing website does state that any conviction that has been expunged or dismissed will not be subject to disciplinary action (unless it involves a serious felony or a crime that requires registration), but it must be disclosed, and any convictions that occurred within seven years of the application date will undergo a full enforcement review.nIf you have been denied for failure to disclose, it likely won’t be enough to state that you didn’t know you had to report the information. Nicole Irmer can review your situation and help you make an appeal that includes an explanation of the underlying conviction and the reason for your initial mistake.nNursing License Denied for Prior ConvictionnThe BNR can deny a nursing license applicant if they have been convicted of any felony or even misdemeanor that is substantially related to the practice of nursing. Common examples include theft, fraud, DUI, or assault and battery. While it can help if the conviction has been expunged, the Board will consider additional factors such as:nHow much time has passed since the convictionnThe risk of recurrencenAny evidence of rehabilitation (for example, successful completion of substance abuse counseling)nLetters of reference and recommendation from professors, past employers, and anyone else who can attest to your good character since the conviction.nAn experienced nursing license denial lawyer can put together an appeal that includes any mitigating or explanatory information that you did not include with your original application for licensure. Nicole Irmer understands that people make mistakes and can present a compelling argument for a successful appeal.nNursing License Denied for Out of State DisciplinenIf you are licensed as a registered nurse in another state and have been disciplined by your state board in the past, you must disclose that information to the California BNR when you apply for a nursing license in this state. Failure to do so can be treated as making false statements on your application and result in a licensure denial, which will actually count as another strike against your registered nurse license. Talk to Nicole Irmer about addressing issues related to license discipline in another state.nNursing License Denied for Discipline on Other LicensesnIf you hold another professional license (for example, you are a licensed vocational nurse or LVN) and were disciplined by your licensing board, it could result in your California registered nurse license being denied. If you are in this situation, please let our office help you with your license denial appeal.