Can I Get My License and Find a Job with a Very Old, Pardoned and Sealed Criminal Record in Colorado?

DaniannaRN, ASN, BSN · Jul 29, 2022

That would be a good question for an attorney that specializes in this type of stuff. I live in NJ and I have a sealed adult criminal record. I never had to disclose it since it's sealed and the BON/potential employers are not able to see my record when they do a background check on me. Only if I apply for any government job I would have to disclose.

As a side note and I know it's not much now way after the incidents, but I'm so sorry this happened to you. You were a victim and never should have been charged with solicitation. You should have been helped to get out of that situation instead of being charged.

MEDFET, CNA · Jul 30, 2022

I lived a wild reckless life in my early years and know that people can change. It took me a long time after completing the class and passed plus state boards only to be on pause because DOJ and FBI had hits on background as I have learned not to put my business onto this forum to secure boundaries I can’t go into the details or background history what I will say is don’t let fear prevent you. I almost gave up let doubt creep in ect but I had to be my own legal assistant to gather all info on outcomes of everything they questioned and let’s say it was a lot I put in lots of volunteer hours and had my immediate family give personal letters to the board expressing my life history traumatic events ect like to show if given chance that I would make a difference! Hope that helps guide you. Your past shouldn’t define you but some humans just do not believe in second chances.

Nurse Pompom · Jul 31, 2022

Ask an attorney! Don't put your future in the hands of strangers on the net.

MEDFET, CNA · Jul 31, 2022

I believe she is asking if anyone has experienced this already in hopes that she can predict the outcome by following predecent

al_e_p · Aug 2, 2022

Hey there!

I'm in nursing school now and have a misdemeanor so I have done a little research on this. The nurse practice act in your state usually explains what will disqualify you. For CO:
(5) Criminal convictions. Unless there is a specific statutory disqualification that prohibits an applicant from obtaining licensure, certification, or registration based on a criminal conviction, if a regulator determines that an applicant for licensure, certification, or registration has a criminal record, the regulator is governed by section 24-5-101 for purposes of granting or denying, or placing any conditions on, licensure, certification, or registration.

Here is a link to 24-5-101:

https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2021A/bills/2021a_012_rev.pdf

I would still talk to a lawyer before going through nursing school though because of your specific situation. I wish you the best of luck and am happy that you are doing so well now!

solarex · Aug 3, 2022

On 7/26/2022 at 1:32 PM, HopefulNurse75 said:

Hello All-

I have always wanted to be a nursing and am in the process of taking my pre-reqs for admission into nursing school in Fall/2023.

When I was 18-24 years old, I was in an abusive relationship with a very violent man and was eventually a trafficking victim. I ended up with a couple of soliciting charges (misdemeanors) due to being a trafficking victim and also a 5th degree Felony (the lowest degree) for buying pizzas with a credit card that was not mine when I was 19.

I have had the entire record pardoned by the Governor of the state that the crimes occurred. My record has also been sealed by the Governor.

How will this affect my ability to complete nursing school, earn my RN license and work?

Do I have to disclose these things now that my record has been sealed?

I'm not sure how to handle all of this or really, if I should even bother. The crimes all happened more than 20 years ago.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Colorado law automatically DESTROYS all Sealed Misdemeanors at the 4 year mark and DESTROYS all Felonies at the 10 year mark except for murder, 1st degree assault, and rape. You will answer the question NO on have you ever been charged or convicted. You literally have no criminal record, and here is the thing.........you would have been perfectly fine without Colorado law and your record only being Sealed and not Destroyed because the only type of background checks that can see Sealed Records are FBI/Federal Government Positions such as DEA/ Veterans Affairs, Military, or Local/State Police. That's it. Public or Private Businesses in their Background Checks can not see sealed records, but you don't have to worry about that anyway, because Colorado Law, per state law, they destroyed ALL Sealed Misdemeanors at the 4 year mark and ALL Sealed Felonies at the 10 year mark with the exception of murder, rape, 1st degree assault.

You are 100% and perfectly fine to answer NO on the have you ever been charged or have you ever been convicted.