Applying to take the CNA test with record in CA

[hiimanurse]

Is it possible for me to take the CNA test even with a criminal record? I received a petty theft misdemeanor in California, and was able to get it expunged through informal diversion. My lawyer informed me that because of informal diversion, it would not show up during background checks. Would it still hurt my chances of taking the CNA test?

I have chosen to become a CNA because I was recently denied my NCLEX-RN by the BON due to the incident. I want to be a CNA so that I can still retain knowledge and gather work experience as well. Would being denied for the NCLEX-RN hurt my chances as well?

[Gr4ceffa, CNA]

hiimanurse,

Depends on the schooling policy, but they normally don't prefer "criminals", but acceptions could be made. If your lawyer informed you of an informal diversion, how is the misdemeanor showing up/how are they finding out?

[Ramcharger310, ASN, CNA, RN, EMT-B]

So you already finished RN school? Great.

This link has everything https://archive.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/occupations/Documents/Equivalency%20Process%20062215.pdf But I will type it out.

Step 1: Obtain official sealed transcripts or a official sealed letter on school letterhead showing completion of "The Fundamentals of Nursing." Word for word the CDPH states:

"If you were or are presently enrolled in the

Registered Nurse (RN), Vocational Nurse (VN)

or Psychiatric Technician (PT) program, you

must submit an official, sealed transcript of

training (students may substitute the official

transcript with a sealed school letter on official

school letterhead listing equivalent training in the

Fundamentals of Nursing course. The letter

must include the completion date(s), units/hours

received, and grade obtained in the course).

Copies of foreign transcripts are accepted'

Step 2: Fill out an "Equivalency Application Package."(CDPH 283B):

Here is a link to the Initial Application (CDPH 283B):

http://www.cdph.ca.gov/pubsforms/forms/CtrldForms/cdph283b.pdf

Step 3: It really is completed in step 1 but is so important, I want to list it separately. Fill out and complete a "Request for Live Scan Service"(BCIA 8016)

Here is a link to the Request for Live Scan Service (BCIA 8016):

http://ag.ca.gov/fingerprints/forms/BCIA_8016.pdf

Here is a link to the Request for Live Scan Service Sample (BCIA 8016 Sample):

http://www.cdph.ca.gov/pubsforms/forms/CtrldForms/bcia8016sample.pdf

Step 4: Contact the CDPH via email and let them know you completed and sent your forms in already, including a request for live scan, and that you want a letter stating you are "granted criminal record clearance" from the Criminal Background Section of the CDPH. They will send you a hard copy letter in the regular mail that you can take with you when you test to show you are good to go.

Here is their contact information:

Mailing Address: California Department of Public Health Aide and Technician Certification Section MS 3301 P.O. BOX 997416 Sacramento, CA 95899-7416 Telephone Number: [phone] Fax Number: [phone]

Website: CDPH Home Email: [email protected]

Any questions?

To the rest of the internet reading this, this is for CA ONLY.

Would being denied for the NCLEX-RN hurt my chances as well?

RN's/LVN's are under the CA. BON.

CNA's are under the CA. Dept. Of Public Health.

[hiimanurse]

So you already finished RN school? Great.

This link has everything https://archive.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/occupations/Documents/Equivalency%20Process%20062215.pdf But I will type it out.

Step 1: Obtain official sealed transcripts or a official sealed letter on school letterhead showing completion of "The Fundamentals of Nursing." Word for word the CDPH states:

"If you were or are presently enrolled in the

Registered Nurse (RN), Vocational Nurse (VN)

or Psychiatric Technician (PT) program, you

must submit an official, sealed transcript of

training (students may substitute the official

transcript with a sealed school letter on official

school letterhead listing equivalent training in the

Fundamentals of Nursing course. The letter

must include the completion date(s), units/hours

received, and grade obtained in the course).

Copies of foreign transcripts are accepted'

Step 2: Fill out an "Equivalency Application Package."(CDPH 283B):

Here is a link to the Initial Application (CDPH 283B):

http://www.cdph.ca.gov/pubsforms/forms/CtrldForms/cdph283b.pdf

Step 3: It really is completed in step 1 but is so important, I want to list it separately. Fill out and complete a "Request for Live Scan Service"(BCIA 8016)

Here is a link to the Request for Live Scan Service (BCIA 8016):

http://ag.ca.gov/fingerprints/forms/BCIA_8016.pdf

Here is a link to the Request for Live Scan Service Sample (BCIA 8016 Sample):

http://www.cdph.ca.gov/pubsforms/forms/CtrldForms/bcia8016sample.pdf

Step 4: Contact the CDPH via email and let them know you completed and sent your forms in already, including a request for live scan, and that you want a letter stating you are "granted criminal record clearance" from the Criminal Background Section of the CDPH. They will send you a hard copy letter in the regular mail that you can take with you when you test to show you are good to go.

Here is their contact information:

Mailing Address: California Department of Public Health Aide and Technician Certification Section MS 3301 P.O. BOX 997416 Sacramento, CA 95899-7416 Telephone Number: [phone] Fax Number: [phone]

Website: CDPH Home Email: [email protected]

Any questions?

To the rest of the internet reading this, this is for CA ONLY.

RN's/LVN's are under the CA. BON.

CNA's are under the CA. Dept. Of Public Health.

Thanks so much @Ramcharger310!

I have a couple of questions. The FAQ of the DOPH states that:

"All convictions must be reported to the CDPH even if the court granted a dismissal pursuant to PC 1203.4 or any other applicable statute, with the exception of marijuana-related offenses specified in the marijuana reform legislation and codified in Health and Safety Code sections 11361.5 and 11361.7"

Don't I still I need to inform the DOPH, and would sending a letter do this? My next question is, on section 3 of the initial applicant form, since I was not convicted, would I state no? In the same section, would I inform them of my denial from the NCLEX even though it was from the BON? It would be hard answering the number of the license/certificate if it's a different department.

[Ramcharger310, ASN, CNA, RN, EMT-B]

Thanks so much @Ramcharger310!

I have a couple of questions. The FAQ of the DOPH states that:

"All convictions must be reported to the CDPH even if the court granted a dismissal pursuant to PC 1203.4 or any other applicable statute, with the exception of marijuana-related offenses specified in the marijuana reform legislation and codified in Health and Safety Code sections 11361.5 and 11361.7"

Don't I still I need to inform the DOPH, and would sending a letter do this? My next question is, on section 3 of the initial applicant form, since I was not convicted, would I state no? In the same section, would I inform them of my denial from the NCLEX even though it was from the BON? It would be hard answering the number of the license/certificate if it's a different department.

You inform them on the CNA application. It states to list any convictions even if the court granted a dismissal pursuant to PC 1203.4. This means an expungement. If you get an expungement and apply for any sort of gov't issued certification/licensure, it must be disclosed. If you did not do this when applying to sit for the NCLEX, I would bet this is why they said no.

So yes, list the conviction. CDPH will look at your Livescan and see the expungement.

As for section 3 part 2, that refers to if you had a license or certification and some sort of negative action was brought against it. You never tested or was issued a thing.

Updated application link

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/CDPH%20Document%20Library/ControlledForms/cdph283b.pdf

Also, have you looked into testing for the LVN exam?

[hiimanurse]

Thanks so much Ramcharger310! I didn't think of testing for the LVN because of it being the same board that looked at my RN application. Would the expungement help my CNA application? If I did the LVN application would I even have a shot? I also informed the BON about the incident but they had me do a lot when I had to inform them, compared to just noting it on the CNA application.

[hiimanurse]

Also, have you looked into testing for the LVN exam?

Would applying even matter, since I was denied my NCLEX from the same board that looks at LVN applications?

[Ramcharger310, ASN, CNA, RN, EMT-B]

Would applying even matter, since I was denied my NCLEX from the same board that looks at LVN applications?

RN and LVN's are under different Boards. It never hurts to ask.

Board of Vocational Nursing & Psychiatric Technicians

Have you talked to your RN advisor at school on what your options are? I am sure they could offer some guidance. Some RN schools offer an LVN option after 3rd semester.

[Tdizzle]

I have a criminal background that was dismissed pursuant to 1385 PC and was granted a CNA license. You should be ok but depends if your case was dismissed or expunged.

[hiimanurse]

Have you talked to your RN advisor at school on what your options are? I am sure they could offer some guidance. Some RN schools offer an LVN option after 3rd semester.

Nice! I'll look at what I can do to be an LVN as well, but I will ask my advisor or department head if it is a possibility.

I have a criminal background that was dismissed pursuant to 1385 PC and was granted a CNA license. You should be ok but depends if your case was dismissed or expunged.

It was dismissed through informal diversion during pre-trial. Since I was never technically convicted I couldn't expunge it. Would it being dismissed it better than expungement?

[hiimanurse]

Hey Ramcharger310, just a question, how long does the application usually take to process? Because the NCLEX application took a while, especially since I had a prior incident.

[Ramcharger310, ASN, CNA, RN, EMT-B]

Hey Ramcharger310, just a question, how long does the application usually take to process? Because the NCLEX application took a while, especially since I had a prior incident.

That's beyond my knowledge, I am still in my first semester RN program. The cna approval should take around 30 days. You may still want get a cna cert while waiting for the lvn board to respond.