3 misdemeanor DUI's from over 20 yrs ago

Nurses Recovery

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Hi,

I'm a nurse in Florida who got 3 misdemeanor DUI's before I became a nurse. They are 20, 30, and 32 years old. I've been sober for 20 years, and a nurse for 10 years. I had no problem getting a license in Florida, but I hear that it's harder to get a license by endorsement. I'm interested in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, but I'm open to hearing about ANY states where someone with a similar situation was able to get a license. I'd also like to know what conditions they put on the license - AA meetings, psychiatric evaluation, restricted license, IPN Program, etc. Thank you!!

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Hi @2bamboo

I am currently a nursing student in Pennsylvania and while I can’t speak for licensing by endorsement, I will say that I know some nurses who have nursing licenses who also have some pretty serious (but nonviolent) felonies in their background. They are also pretty amazing people with years clean and sober in recovery. It is possible to work with the PA BON but I do not know how many hoops you’ll have to jump through or what your odds of being granted an unrestricted license are. If you apply for a license please share your experience so others in your shoes will have a better idea what to expect!

I’ve also heard PA might become a compact state, which might help people in your situation.

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That's good to know. I will update on here if I apply to any other states.

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I applied for, and was licensed as an RN in PA in 2016 with a DUI from 1980. There were no stipulations on my license, however it did add approximately 2 months to the processing time. If I recall correctly, if you answer yes to any of the trigger questions PA requires a letter of explanation as well as a criminal background check covering a minimum of 5 years for your current state of residence as well as documentation from the court in which your case was tried detailing the final outcome.

As I was preparing my application I spoke with a representative of the PA board of nursing and explained that I was more than willing to submit the criminal background investigation from my current state, but that I was charged in another state. I was told that submitting from my current state of residency was all that was required. While my application was being reviewed it was determined that they also required a criminal background state from the state in which I was charged.

As for becoming a compact state. While you would be able to work on your FL license, if it grants multi-state privileges, it does not lessen any of the requirements of your new state in applying for licensure and you will still be required to submit documentation regarding your previous DUIs.

Best wishes.

ETA: To clarify. You would be allowed to work on your FL license, if it provides multi-state privileges, while your PA license is being processed. You would, however, be required to apply for licensure in PA as soon as you relocate.

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Thanks for replying! I did assume it wouldn't be too hard with one DUI - it's my 3 that I'm worried about. If they do grant me the license with restrictions, I fear that nobody would hire me because of those restrictions - so why even bother. That's why I'm trying to find out on here if anyone has ever been in my predicament. If Florida gave me an unrestricted RN license 10 years ago with 3 DUI's, now 10 years on with no further arrests and being sober, why wouldn't another state give me an unrestricted license too? Is Florida that much more lenient than other states? Or is it just that getting a license by endorsement is always more strict than your original state was? Thanks.

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