California licensing with a DUI

sandiegodui · Aug 20, 2012

For starters, yes. AA meetings will benefit you in many ways.

You should refer yourself to a Professional License Attorney Specialist. There are former Deputy Attorney Generals and Licensing Board Prosecutors who have participated in hundreds of matters involving professional licensing.

Generally speaking, with regard to any inquiry, absent any different approach by someone like your Professional License Attorney Specialist, may I suggest you consider the following:

I do not know what the licensing board looks for, but my guess is an acceptance of full responsibility and rehabilitative success.

I would spend much less time on the facts of the arrest and say:

"The police arrested me for misdemeanor DUI. I accepted responsibility and pled guilty."

I would then move on to total compliance with the terms of probation, with details that also include your new knowledge of the specifics of impairment and your decision and implementation of a vow to not drive with any amount of alcohol in your system.

The entire tone of any explanation may be: "I did it, it was my fault and I'll never do it again. This was a singular indiscretion."

"I learned that it is easy to relax one's standards when not working."

"I know that when I am drinking, my judgment is impaired and my reaction time is slower."

"I know that while driving, I need to be absolutely sober and alert, because I do not want to put others at risk."

...

It is safe to say the Board will look for satisfaction and proof that you addressed alcohol and substance abuse monitors, AA, counseling, testing, etc.

javigarcia · Aug 30, 2012

Thanks for the great reply sandiegodui. I have been considering AA meetings and have gotten in contact with an office near my home where I can go. One issue that causes concern to me is that the board of registered nursing might think that I am an alcoholic that is currently seeking rehabilitation. A couple of my friends have told me this. Do you think this might happen?

DavidKarl · Mar 18, 2013

As noted earlier, in 2012 the CA Court of Appeals ruled that any CA nurse can now have her license 'revoked' upon conviction of a FIRST DUI. Another CA court ruled in 2012 that a teacher can also have his certificate revoked upon the FIRST DUI conviction. Knowing this: Is it logical to hope that if you have a DUI prior to applying for a license, that you will be granted a license? Not really. In fact, I suspect you will be facing a shock when you are denied a license, if you graduate. Also, in some states, public urination is now classified as a SEX offense, with resulting sex offender registration. I was convicted of DUI in 2010, and my CA license was spared, just prior to the court of appeals ruling- but I lost my license in other states, and have determined there is no chance of my obtaining a license in other states- this is the new state of the union. In fact, I have written a book of my experience, yet to be published. For those amongst us you who are so pure as the driven snow, here's another bite to ponder: A few states now ask whether you are taking ANY psychoactive meds when you reapply, whether for anxiet, depression, etc.- meaning, a PROZAC Rx can ban you from renewing your license. Yes- the walls are closing in. But again,you might want to take a cold hard look at the new CA laws, to decided whether to continue your nur$ing education.

Josie, RN/LCSW · Jul 29, 2013

I agree with DavidKarl 100%. No way is California going to license you, despite work history, excellent grades, letters of recommendation, or anything else. I had a DUI that was 10 years old and my application for licensure was denied (I graduated in 2010). I appealed and then was offered a "Stipulated Settlement" which was so totally impossible to adhere to it was ridiculous; it was designed so that someone desperate enough to sign it just to be able to take the NCLEX would fail one of the 50+ criteria and then get a permanent revocation. I also was informed that, if I didn't withdraw my appeal, the Internet record would be available to the public for 10 years (instead of the 1 year that they ILLEGALLY make it available to the public if you withdraw your appeal).

I have a Bachelor's degree from Notre Dame, a Master's in Clinical Social Work from The University of Chicago, and had worked as a medical social worker for 15 years when I applied for the license. I had (upon appeal) submitted more 'supporting documentation' than you can believe, all for nothing. In addition, the California Board of Registered Nursing FURTHER punishes you by putting the whole thing on the Internet - for all to see: Your denial, your court records, police reports (which, in my case, was absurd because the police report was thrown out of court as being "false" and so I didn't even get convicted for the first item (California DUI's have two separate components)).....an attorney told me the BRN had no legal right obtaining and then publishing that report. AND, then they send your denial to the National Data Bank so anyone who checks can see it. That part never comes off.

I was lucky: I also applied in another state whose criminal criteria only pertains to felonies, and I was approved. Since then, I have endorsed my RN license to two other states whose criteria ALSO pertains to felonies and who don't consider the fact that one has already been denied for a license in something (check the different states for that). Bottom line is DO NOT EVEN APPLY TO CALIFORNIA because you will be punished indefinitely, in one way or another. Apply somewhere else, go and work there for 2 years or more, and THEN apply to California for an endorsement down the line. This is the only way you will be able to have a career as a nurse. Trust me.

mlbluvr · Jul 29, 2013

Which states told you they only preclude felonies?

mlbluvr · Jul 29, 2013

The entire tone of any explanation may be: "I did it, it was my fault and I'll never do it again. This was a singular indiscretion.""I learned that it is easy to relax one's standards when not working."Wonderfully stated.

mlbluvr · Jul 30, 2013

"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending". -Maria Robinson (Although this is untrue for nurses in regard to licensure, etc.- it's useful for other aspects of life).

mainecat · Aug 23, 2014

is this true?? i have a dui from 6 years ago. nothing before or after the conviction. and yes, it has been expunged. I finished my RN program in june and i am still "pending" to take the NCLEX. I am applying in california. is there no hope??

tyvin, BSN, RN · Aug 24, 2014

mainecat I am so sorry; hopefully it will happen. I had a DUI in 1986 and I'm trying to endorse my license to WA state. I am currently trying to get a pardon for the DUI because my state does not expunge DUIs. I hear it doesn't matter because the federal finger print check shows the expunged (is that true?). Also, when they ask if your ever been convicted etc... what does one do? If you say no, it's not true though expunged.

In my case it doesn't matter because there is no chance for it. I applied for the DUI pardon 1 year ago and just called and was told it would take another year. I'm afraid to apply for licensure and get turned down. I don't know if a pardon will make a difference but it's worth a try.

Anyway, I know people applied to CA and it's tough. I know that the DUI thing in CA is impossible but has anyone ever been approved for licensure with a past DUI recently (sounds like a new thread).

There are other places but I understand. Bless you and good luck :)

CaliCalinurse · Oct 15, 2014

Hey JOSIE!!!

I have recently been denied licensure in California. I am considering applying to Hawaii but I am confused as to if I have to disclose my licensure denial in California. I'm not sure if you can help me in this department but I was wondering if you had to disclose this information on your application to other states or if you didn't mention it since technically there is no disciplinary action because you don't have a license.

I had no idea that they publish all of this information on the internet... definitely feeling lost and confused. I have 2 DISMISSED charges on my record, clean background check and all and have been working in hospitals for years. I never would have applied to California initially if I knew it would be this rough.

Carl Winslow · Oct 16, 2014

Yeah, unfortunately once your license has been denied or disciplined in ANY state, they put all of that in public records and you HAVE to disclose it on EVERY state licensing application. It sucks I know. I'm in the same boat: 2 old DUI's from when I was 19 and 22 years old (expunged and both were misdemeanors). I haven't graduated yet, but I'm not even applying to California at all for that same reason.

But, just remember that California is full of goofs and it is one of the most upside down states in the country. I highly doubt other states will punish you for the rest of your life because you were denied in Ca. It seems that unless you are a holy than thou robot who has never had a single misstep in your entire life, you are more or less denied a license in Ca, and other states know this. I've read about people having a shoplifting charge at 16 years old being denied by Ca.*coo-coo! California is just insane; period. I've read plenty of other stories about people being denied in Ca, then getting accepted into other states. California has OK weather and beaches. The list of positives ends there. California has high unemployment rates, goofy laws, high property taxes, high income taxes, high crime rates...consider this a blessing in disguise and just get the heck out of California; I know I am!

I mean, just look at this ENTIRE thread. Don't you find it a bit odd that nearly EVERY person on here with some sort of problem is from California? Also just Google, I dunno, "DUI RN license". It is page after page after page of California BON, California denied my license, California, California, California. What, do people in Idaho not get DUI's? Do the only people with criminal records reside in California? NO! So that should tell you something. Don't give up hope and press on. Screw California.