License Discipline and Convictions

Upon renewal of a registered nurse license, the Board requires licensees to indicate if they have had any license disciplined by a government agency or other disciplinary body; or if they have been convicted of any crime in any state, U.S. territory, military court or other country since they last renewed their license.

Reporting License Discipline and Convictions

"Conviction" includes a plea of no contest and any conviction that has been set aside or deferred pursuant to Section 1000 or 1203.4 of the Penal Code, including infractions, misdemeanor, and felonies. It is not necessary to report a conviction for an infraction with a fine of less than $1,000 unless the infraction involved alcohol or controlled substances. However, any convictions in which a plea of no contest was entered and any convictions that were subsequently set aside pursuant or deferred pursuant to Section 1000 or 1203.4 of the Penal Code must be disclosed. "License" includes permits, registrations, and certificates. "Discipline" includes, but is not limited to, suspension, revocation, voluntary surrender, probation, or any other restriction.

The following information must be provided for each license discipline or conviction sustained:

NOTE: See Important Notice Regarding Your Application for additional information for applicants with criminal convictions or discipline.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. You only need to report an arrest if you were convicted. Yes, if a traffic ticket was issued and you were fined over $1,000.

You must submit written proof from the court or police department specifying inability to locate the required documents. The Board verifies this and bases its decision on other substantial information (e.g., letters of recommendation, evidence of rehabilitation, etc.).

No. However, if your case is in the District Attorney's (DA) Office for non-payment, the DA notifies the Department of Consumer Affairs Family Support Unit. If you are deemed eligible for licensure, your license is issued on a temporary basis for 150 days. If at the end of that time period, you have not established a payment agreement with the DA's Office, your license is suspended.

Yes. Pursuant to Penal Code section 1203.4, you are required to report a conviction that was expunged. The law specifies that it does not relieve you from the obligation to disclose the conviction in response to any direct questions contained in any questionnaire or application for public office, for licensure by any state or local agency.

Failure to disclose all or part of your convictions may be grounds for disciplinary action as you falsified information required on your renewal of licensure.

Yes. Pursuant to Business and Professions Code, section 2765, a plea or verdict of guilty or a conviction following a plea of nolo contendere is considered a conviction. Any conviction substantially related to the qualifications, functions and duties of a licensee can be grounds for discipline of a license.

Yes. If you were under 18 years of age, but were tried and convicted as an adult, you are required to disclose the conviction.

Yes. Any offense or violation during your military career must be reported to the Board.

The Board reviews the RAP sheets (i.e., criminal record reports) to ensure that the conviction history matches what you provided on your Report of Conviction form and to determine if the violation is related to the qualifications of a licensee.

You may request a copy of your RAP sheet from the Department of Justice (DOJ). DOJ requires you to complete a "Record Review Process" form, complete another fingerprint card and pay a fee for processing. To obtain more information on this process, you must contact DOJ directly.

The information contained on your RAP sheet is retained indefinitely. Therefore, you should always report all convictions. Failure to disclose all past convictions may result in disciplinary action.

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