In California, nurses are governed by the Nursing Practice Act (NPA), which is part of the Business and Professions Code (BPC). This law gives the BRN the authority to regulate the practice of nursing in the state - and to impose discipline when necessary for violations of the NPA.nnCurrently licensed nurses have affirmative reporting and disclosure obligations. Specifically, nurses must disclose license discipline and criminal convictions within 30 days in accordance with 16CCR1441. Although nursing applicants no longer have an obligation to disclose their convictions during their application process, it may be beneficial to explain and mitigate the underlying conviction.nnFor each instance, licensees must provide:nnA detailed written explanation of the circumstances and events that led to the arrest, conviction, or discipline;nDocuments related to the arrest or discipline;nCourt documents; andnAny related mitigating evidence or evidence related to rehabilitation.nnFailure to disclose a disciplinary action, arrest, and/or conviction to the California BRN may result in disciplinary action, including suspension or revocation of your nursing license.nnIf you are a licensed California travel nurse and are licensed to work in another state (or multiple states), then your nursing license may be in jeopardy if you do not disclose or declare:nnAny disciplinary actions by a nursing board in another state; or nAn arrest or conviction in another state. nnFor example, if you are working in another state as a travel nurse when you are arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI). While you may not be required to report a misdemeanor DUI arrest, the BRN will likely be notified of the arrest through law enforcement agencies. If you are convicted of a DUI - even in another state - then you will be required to disclose that conviction to the BRN. nnThe nursing board will investigate the matter and may take disciplinary action for a DUI, depending on the facts of the case. If you are convicted of a DUI and failed to report it to the BRN, then that may be the basis of a separate disciplinary cause of action. nnIn the past, it often took time for licensing boards and law enforcement agencies in different states to communicate. With the internet and shared databases, it is a relatively simple matter for a nursing board to learn about an arrest, conviction, or disciplinary action in another jurisdiction. For this reason, these types of disclosures should be made as soon as possible, within the statute deadlines, after consulting a healthcare license defense attorney. nnIf the BRN learns of a criminal matter or disciplinary issue in another state, it will typically begin an investigation into the allegations. If investigators find that there is evidence to support a formal disciplinary action, then the BRN will file an Accusation (or formal charge) against your license. The matter will then move forward to an administrative hearing, where a judge will hear evidence and issue a decision.