Juvenile felony and licensing

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Hi,

I just want to inquire about the licensing and examination. My big concern is I have a juvenile record when I was 17 years old. It was a felony ( assault w/ deadly weapon charge) but I was not tried as an adult. I was detained at the Los Pradino juvenile detention center for 2 months before being released on probation and had to complete community service. I completed all the necessary requirements that the court ordered me to do such as probation, community service and I've also graduated with a High school Diploma at Walnut high school. I am now 28 years old and it's been 11 years since and I have stayed out of trouble.

I have completed all my prerequisites to apply for the OTA (Occupational therapy assistant) program at Santa Ana college but it is a 3 year waiting list to get in. I plan to take my chances and apply at Stanbridge college which currently has a "developing program status" from the board of OT but the program cost $40k. I really want to get into the health field especially as OTA because I feel this is where I would excel the most in helping people in general and the satisfaction I get with helping patients. I'm just concerned about my prior juvenile record if it will automatically disqualify me from taking the board exam and ultimately receiving a license. Is there any relative chance that I will be able to take the exam and granted a license. Any info, will greatly be appreciated.

By the way, is there anyway I can do an early determination review prior to entering the program and graduation so at least I would know my chances.

Sorry I know this is a different topic but any info help guys. Thanks and godbless.!

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Specializes in Electrophysiology, Medical-Surgical ICU.

it may depend on how it looks in your record...if its a youthful offender charge you should be fine, if it was expungded you should be fine, but if it on there like a regular charge i would say contact your state board of OT and ask them.

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Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.

questions we seem to be encountering more and more often have to do with the effects of a criminal history on nursing licensure:

  • is it possible to become licensed as a nurse if you have a criminal history and if so, can i get a job?
  • is it possible to become licensed as a nurse if you have a mip, dui, or other related charges?
  • what happens if you are charged or convicted of a crime after licensure?
  • can i go to nursing school and/or be licensed/be employed if my record has been sealed or expunged?
  • what if i have a "deferred adjudication"? will i have to declare this as a conviction?
  • will i be able to go to nursing school and/or attend clinicals with a criminal record?
  • what can happen if i receive a mip/dui/dwi or other charge while still in school

these are questions that the members of allnurses.com cannot answer. the only reliable source of information is your state board of nursing.

if you are a nursing student or are interested in becoming a nurse you need to contact your bon and/or your school of nursing directly. you need to be completely candid with them as to the nature and disposition of the crimes. each board of nursing makes a determination on a case by case basis and some are willing to issue a declarative statement in advance.

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Specializes in Peds, Med-Surg, Disaster Nsg, Parish Nsg.

Moved to Nursing Licensure With a Criminal History forum.

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Thanks for the replies.

I actually contacted the BON, board of RT, Board of LVN and board of OT and they seem to give me the same answer, which is they will do an individual review based on recency of the crime, severity and time elapse..etc but I was reading this publication about this applicant applying for a license and the applicant gets denied due to "statutory provisons" that the board follows. Here's the link, http://www.bot.ca.gov/public/ota1853_2008_10_21_charging_document.pdf

I'm in a dilemma because I got accepted at santa ana college for the OTA program for Fall of 2015! ;( and my other option is private school in irvine which is $40k for the 16 month program. I'm just stressing out it will either cost me $40k in loans to find out if i will get licensed by the board or I will waste 4-5 years in the community college only to find out if i will get licensed or not. =/ I emailed the california board of OT and I havent got a response yet.

Btw, I did a livescan for personal record review and it showed my felony record.

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Hi, I know I'm a lttle late on this post but I'm going through the same thing. I have a misdemeanor battery charge from when I was 14 and now I am worried that I won't be able to get my license when I apply. Just so you know, sealing (in the case of our juvenile records) or expunging your record will not prevent it from showing up on the live scan. I got my record sealed and it still shows. So they will definitely see any arrest or conviction you have on your record (at least anything you have been fingerprinted for).

If you find out, post it!!! I want to know if it's worth spending all the hard work, money, and time away from my daughter or if I will just end up screwed over in the end.

Please let us know! :)

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Well... what happened?

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