Declaratory order to Texas BON

karnie1o1 · Mar 9, 2014

the board cleared me without any further action needed ($150 review fee, 6 month wait, etc). received the letter about 3 weeks ago. Today I received an email from UTHSC. I'm in for the 2014 Summer semester.

ayala3 · Apr 13, 2014

Hello. Im new to this forum and was wondering if someone can help me. Im in the process to petition for a DO but do I go ahead and do my fingerprinting as well? Or do I have to wait till I submit my DO. Im having different answers. If someone can please let me know since the process is familiar to yall.

Redbeerd · Apr 21, 2014

From my understanding most programs require that you send in your prints regardless if you are sending in a DO or not, so schedule to do them promptly. The Austin BON will start a file on you when you complete the prints or when they receive your DO, whichever is first. Once they have both your prints/fbi criminal history and your DO they will have all they need to make a judgement within 30 days, or send you a letter letting you know they need further review and consequently $150 from you.

meward · May 7, 2014

karnie1o1 - would you mind giving us some insight into what you included in your packet? I know you said it took 7 months, why did it take so long? Does it take a long time to get the court documents? Also, if you wouldn't mind sharing what you included in your letter (what caused he, your actions after)? I am in a similar situation and I am starting to get everything together

meward · May 7, 2014

Karnie - Can you give us some insight into your letter? It must of been good since you got approved!

karnie1o1 · May 13, 2014

Karnie - Can you give us some insight into your letter? It must of been good since you got approved!

That's something you need to discover for yourself. If you can't tell them why you're capable, then perhaps you aren't.

If anything be honest, don't make excuses, and do EVERYTHING possible to make it right. It doesn't matter how much it costs. I made sure to expunge what I could, volunteer extra hours, donate money, attend extra classes/groups, etc. I didn't need to do all of this. I could have sent my packet in without lifting a finger. That packet was the sum of ~7 months of work and $5,000 of legal fees, notary costs, programs, etc.

There is a lack of information concerning this process because the people who complete it have worked long and hard to get there.

Raemon1 · May 16, 2014

Hello everyone,

I am writing this post today to get some insight. Perhaps somebody reading this has shared a similar experience and can offer insight. I am in the process of waiting on a response in regards to my DO. I have a shoplifting charge from 11 years ago when I was 18 years old. The charge seems benign but I am concerned about one thing. While serving out my probation I failed a drug screen. I was required to have weekly drug screenings in addition to my community service and shoplifting class. I completed all the requirements of probation and moved on with my life. I also obtained a non-disclosure agreement (although the BON can still see this offense!). My question is this, even though my offense was for shoplifting, will there be an issues regarding the failed drug screen? I obviously turned my life around and got away from those bad influences in my life. I just want to mentally prepare myself for a long and painful process. I am concerned that this will go to the review committee and prevent me from starting nursing school. Even though I never had any future drug offenses or issues will this raise a red flag? If anyone has had any similar experiences please share, I would greatly appreciate it!

Raemon1 · Jun 24, 2014

I wanted to share my DO experience. I was very concerned when I read many of the posts on this page. Fortunately, I did not have a lengthy and difficult experience completing the whole process. I had a shoplifting charge from when I was 18, which was 11 years ago. Even though I had a Order of Non Disclosure I still let the board know. I got a response within two weeks stating I needed to send a certified copy of the case. I am lucky to have a parent who is a lawyer so I didn't have to pay for this. If I had not had a lawyer in the family I would have had to hire one and pay for the attorney to get a judgement from the courts to obtain this copy. Its quite a hassle, so for those starting the process, be prepared to deal with this if your charge is very old. I sent the cert. copies overnight and received my clearance letter within 30 days. My advice to anyone starting this process is to be honest with the board and provide all documents that you have. An Order of Non Disclosure WILL show up on the FBI background check. If you dont have an order of non disclosure it should be fairly easy to get a certified copy. Good luck to all and please message me if you have any questions.

amberlyb22 · Jul 8, 2014

I have finally finished all my requirements and got accepted into nursing school. I did my fingerprints in April 2014. June 2014 I still had no response so I called the Texas BON. The lady seemed confused and said that they had received my prints back in April and that there was a hit. Why did I not receive any notification? She then proceeded to tell me to do a DO and get it in as soon as possible. When I was 17 (now 37) I was arrested for misdemeanor theft and it was dismissed. I have never disclosed this information on anything because I was told it was sealed. It has never even come up at any job or even a background ck to volunteer at my kids school. After hours of phone calls I finally got a date of the offense and drove to the court house and paid like $8 to get certified copies of my case. I mailed my DO the very next day. It has been 3 weeks and I just called today and it is still not showing up in their system. I have read all the posts on this page and am very worried. It seems as though no one is in a big rush to do anything. Had I have known back in April this wouldn't be as big of a deal but now I have until august 20 to submit my clearance or forfeit my hard earned seat. My advice to anyone is to call and double check on all your stuff. If I would not have called I would still be sitting here waiting for my blue post card to come in the mail. Now I hope and pray that my 1 offenses about 20 years ago does not keep me from starting school this August.

Wishbone09 · Sep 17, 2014

I just got a letter yesterday that I need to send a money order for $150 for additional review. I have a class a misdemeanor for public lewdness (skinny dipping and sex at the lake, though no one was there lol) from 6 years ago. Never been in trouble before or after. What are my chances? Any advice?

Trulyking · Oct 18, 2014

Does any one know if the court documents you send to them have to be notarized and sealed? I just got copies from the court and sent mine off a couple days ago along with my personal letter. Thanks

swanganzcath · Oct 22, 2014

Hi, I am currently a S1 in the program at UTHSC. I just found out about the DO a month ago and sent in all of my documents. A week ago, I received a blue post card that my FBI/background check had cleared and my file was clear, so I thought I was good with the BON. However, today I received a letter saying that my case is being moved to the Enforcement Department. I am supposed to graduate in May 2015; however, I was able to get into the school because my misdemeanors are not on my record. My question is did the school keep you from getting in with your background check? I am just worried about everything under the moon at this point. Please help.