Whiterabbit

Thank you so much! Congratulations on your successes, and I really appreciate your detailed reply. This certainly gives me hope.

Thanks so much. I really appreciate the responses.

Thanks so much. One attorney I spoke with said the BON isn't supposed to take into account charges after 7 years, but he didn't say they didn't, so I'm not sure. That was also in regards to misdemeanor charges. I'm continuing to reach out to attorneys, but I'm hoping someone can offer a firsthand account.

Hi All, I was wondering if anyone with a criminal record has received their nursing license in California after the new law went into effect on July 2020? If so, what was the process? It seems like the standard protocol prior to July 2020 was denial, then a grueling process of submitting arrest records, letters of recommendation, etc., only to obtain a provisional license for 3 years. I believe the new law states that a license cannot be denied if it's over 7 years old and the charges have been expunged. I have been accepted to a BSN program and I have 2 misdemeanors from 20 years ago, which brings me to my next question. Both of my charges were sealed, not expunged, because they occurred in a state where expungement is only allowed for juvenile cases. Has anyone had experience with sealed vs. expunged records in California? I understand that expungement is literally removing someone's record as if they are not guilty (though it still shows up on an FBI background check), and sealing is just hiding the record from public view, which also still shows up on a livescan. Another issue involves obtaining the arrest records - once a record is sealed, you can't get access to the records without a court order to reopen the case, which my attorney has strongly advised me not to do. I don't have any of those records anymore, and I'm not sure how the board will make an assessment without them. I am contemplating spending a ton of $$$ on school, living expenses, books, etc., so any advice would be greatly appreciated. I have spoken to several attorneys who have all given me different information, and I have called the board of nursing a several times. Everyone has said "it probably won't be a problem", but it's a huge risk to take for a "probably". As you all know, I would be devastated if I went through this whole process only to be denied or offered a provisional license.