Pass NCLEX found out I had an arrest record

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Hi I recently passed my NCLEX, and after I sent in my 50 dollar licensing fee I received a letter stating that they have learned that I was arrest back in 2004. I was arrested for using my roommates credit card (freshman in college and very dumb). I sent them in all the info, the police record and the court record showing that no charges were filed. So my question is since I was never charged, will I still be able to get my license and also how long will it take for me to hear back from them? Anyone who has gone through the same thing please let me know something because I'm sweating balls over here, I paid all this money for school, and to finally pass nclex and not be able to practice will be really messed up.

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

If you don't have any type of felony conviction I don't think you should have a problem. Your school should have discussed this with you though at the beginning of your program. When I started nursing school for my LPN they made sure to let us know if we had any past arrests or convictions to make them aware so the students could explain to the licensing board ahead of time the circumstances before we actually took the NCLEX. As long as it wasn't anything crazy, they said no one had ever been rejected that they'd heard of. I don't think you'd have much to worry about but I would find out who you need to talk to, email, write letters to or whatnot to explain it away ASAP.

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I went through this with a misdemeanor DUI conviction from 8 Yeats ago, I sent in everything (I took care of all the fees, classes etc back then on time) and I tested in nov 2011- passed, and didn't get my license until march 2012. They have to do an application evaluation which takes a long time. I know mine is completely diff but I know a girl from work who had a registration ticket that set her back too.

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Hi I recently passed my NCLEX, and after I sent in my 50 dollar licensing fee I received a letter stating that they have learned that I was arrest back in 2004. I was arrested for using my roommates credit card (freshman in college and very dumb). I sent them in all the info, the police record and the court record showing that no charges were filed. So my question is since I was never charged, will I still be able to get my license and also how long will it take for me to hear back from them? Anyone who has gone through the same thing please let me know something because I'm sweating balls over here, I paid all this money for school, and to finally pass nclex and not be able to practice will be really messed up.

As someone who used to run background checks for a social service organization that was bound to IL's DHS Disqualifying Convictions list, I can tell you that arrest records cannot be held against you, only convictions.

Anyone can get arrested for anything - doesn't mean you are guilty. If you begin to have some real problems, I would definitely consult an attorney.

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No I'm not having any issues I just want to know how long it will take them to send me my license, I've been hearing that it takes months to get a license.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Moving to Nursing Licensure with Criminal History forum.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Whether you are licensed and how long it takes depends on the BON, as they review these matters on a case-by-case basis. Following up occasionally can't hurt, but in the end, all you can do is wait for their decision.

My only other advice is that should they ask you to appear before them at a hearing (IMO, I doubt they will but I'm also not the BON) you better have an attorney standing next to you. The BON is not the nurse's friend and you need someone on your side helping you plead your case.

Best of luck.

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Just checked the online license look up this morning and they gave me my license!!!! I just sent them my court documents Tuesday and it's Saturday morning and I'm officially a nurse!!!!

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Best wishes with your nursing career.

Closing as resolved.

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