California BON investigating 2 misdemeanor driving convictions from 10 years ago!!!!

Karl Farmer · Aug 5, 2011

Paying a fine does not constitute a 'conviction'. Unless your first offense was a criminal act, like in some states, then it was an MVD issue only, and has no bearing on anything other than your driver license, so why would you put that on any application for anything? Were you arrested, or were you given a citation in each case? There is a huge difference between being arrested (for a crime), versus receiving a citation.

caliotter3 · Aug 5, 2011

You are not the only person prevented from receiving a nursing license in CA for similar circumstances. Wonder if other states have such 'standards'? Contrast the state's 'standards' for issuing a license with their 'standards' for handling your case. Losing your file, sitting on your file, not having the ability to address any questions about your file, then disposing of your file when the time limit to act has come and gone. All typical for the CA nursing boards. Among the practices that make it such a pleasure to deal with them.

skain · Aug 5, 2011

Hi Karl, from my understanding the driving on a suspended license holds a fine of $600. The BON told me that anyhting even traffic fines over $300 must be reported. There was no criminal offense and I did not get arrested. I'm just wondering how many traffic tickets does the BON take into consideration or the type of traffic violations before they deny an application??? and Thank You for responding.

Karl Farmer · Aug 6, 2011

A fine is still not a criminal charge nor conviction. I doubt traffic violations will affect a nursing license, even at $600. But in this state, it IS now a crime to drive without a license, or with a suspended license. So the way it's headed, everyone will be a criminal. And what a BON does nobody can guess. They are the enemy, their goal is to take your license at every opportunity, fact.

BurmaCharm · Feb 23, 2012

Hi! Were you able to get your license?

Hello everyone!!! Ok here's my story, about 10 years ago in 2001 I was caught driving on a susoended license in my ex-boyfriends car. I didn't know it was suspended because the DMV had sent out the letter the day before I was stopped and did not receive the notice of suspension until after the fact. The officer pulled me over for having a tail light out which he then proceeded to tell me that the DMV had just sent out the letter the day before. To make a long story short they towed the car and the officer (nice fellow) drove me home.
Now 1 year later and some change in 2002 I was stopped again for a speeding ticket but was driving without a license, license was valid. I was just absent minded and forgot it in my other purse. The fine in 2001 was $600 and the fine in 2002 was $500. Now rewind to 2011, I have passed my NCLEX and when I filled out my application I disclosed my most recent conviction from 2002 because in all honesty I really forgot about that incident from that night. After waiting 1 1/2 months for them to "investigate" the 2002 ticket now they want to "investigate" the second.
I dont understand?????? There were no drugs involved, no alcohol was involved. They were traffic tickets and thats it. I have been an outstanding citizen except for my traffic violations, Now they are asking me why didn't I disclose the traffic fine from 2001. I really need to work and can't take the hold up any longer.
My question is since I have passed the NCLEX can I just go to Nevada or Texas and apply there??? My results have alreaddy showed that I passed. All my hard work and studying just seems to be in vain now. It all really seems like a cruel joke that the BON is playing on me. I'am willing to relocate if need be.
Any advice is greatly appreciated:up:
-Jobless and Helpless in California

mihaSK · May 30, 2012

as an applicant, you should present the board with as much detailed and truthful information as possible. you must report: (1) traffic ticket(s) that resulted in a fine of over $300.00; (2) conviction(s) that have been expunged (i.e., a conviction that was stricken or deleted from official records); (3) all misdemeanors, felonies and/or convictions that resulted in nolo contender pleas; (4) convictions that occurred prior to the age of 18; and (5) military convictions or dishonorable discharge.

i believe that you must write a letter to brn explaining the situation of traffic violation and also submit a letter of recommendation from a professor. you should be truthful about it and not hide anything. you'll pay your fine, jump through some hoops, but at the end you should receive your license (it might just take a little longer).