Question about new PA PALS online BON registration

MedTrex · Jun 23, 2018

An incident occurred back in 2011 in Ohio that was caused by a mental illness. I was young. So, I stupidly plead guilty and was convicted. The misdemeanor charge was "false info to obtain ohio OL" or providing false info to obtain Ohio driver's license, but it was due to a mental illness. I have been treated for the illness and have fully recovered. The misdemeanor charge has been expunged in 2016.

What are my chances of getting an RN license from the PA BON given the nature of the misdemeanor charge and the fact that it has been expunged. Pennsylvania changed their licensing rules in February of this year (2018). In the past with the PA BON, you were not required to disclose expunged records. Is this still the case today after the modifications of the rules? If not, what are my chances? Has anyone in a similar situation with an expunged record applied recently to the PA BON for a license and got their RN license? I'm very worried. Any info or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Ladyscrubs · Jun 30, 2018

Hi MedTrex

Not from PA but do to lack of response to your inquiry, went on PA BON website. I did see the paper questionnaire/renewal of what you mentioned. Of what I read on the site and some of the new (download pdf regarding PALS) the questions on the renewal application will probably be the same, except it is an on-line format. Go on site, log in and read the application... you can log on and off as many times as you need without renewing at that time. I could go on myself and browse around if I wanted to create an account, so no big deal.

When Ohio and later on when Michigan went to on-line renewal, it was found found to be the same questions as was on the paper form. The advantage is that you save a stamp and the BON gets their money quicker.

If it says expunged records do not need to be disclosed.. well you are all set. DO it, do it now!

"Yet is it far better to light the candle than to curse the darkness.":yes:

MedTrex · Jul 9, 2018

Hi Ladyscrubs. Thanks for your response. Are you saying that once I create an account, I would be able to check out the application and go through the application without actually completing the it? Wouldn't it be like having it so that you need to complete each section of the application before going onto the next section until I get to the legal questions section? In that case wouldn't I have an incomplete application in the system for 2 years until I finish the nursing program? Your response would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

jlambirt · Jul 15, 2018

Find a local Livescan office or whatever fingerprint background check service is available where you live. It's usually around $50 to get a fingerprint check. I happened to find a local business that offered the service. The results email hit my phone before I got to my car. I had charges and a plea deal in the military and wanted to see what exactly showed on my record.

If your record is clean, your best bet is to say nothing on your application. The whole point of expungement is to allow a fresh start after serving your punishment. Think about it...what's the point of getting your record cleared if you're going to tell everyone about it anyway?

In the military, we called it the idiot test. We would ask applicants to disclose all prior drug use and criminal activity. You'd be surprised at how many kids with clean records listed their pot smoking and shoplifting.

MedTrex · Jul 21, 2018

Find a local Livescan office or whatever fingerprint background check service is available where you live. It's usually around $50 to get a fingerprint check. I happened to find a local business that offered the service. The results email hit my phone before I got to my car. I had charges and a plea deal in the military and wanted to see what exactly showed on my record.
If your record is clean, your best bet is to say nothing on your application. The whole point of expungement is to allow a fresh start after serving your punishment. Think about it...what's the point of getting your record cleared if you're going to tell everyone about it anyway?
In the military, we called it the idiot test. We would ask applicants to disclose all prior drug use and criminal activity. You'd be surprised at how many kids with clean records listed their pot smoking and shoplifting.

Actually, PA doesn't do FBI checks for Nursing. In fact, I don't think they do any FBI checks for any of their medical licenses. As far as the expunged misdemeanor charge is concerned, are you saying that It's OK to say no to the question asking if you have prior convictions? I don't know. That seems like a risky thing to do as a medical board usually requires the applicant to disclose convictions even if expunged. I'm just frustrated at the prospect of having to disclose it. That is why I wanted to know if PA still has the policy where you don't have to disclose expunged records, especially in their PALS online application system for that legal question even after the changes they made in February 2018. I know that some of the few paper applications they have left on their website still says you don have to disclose, but I'm not sure about the online PALS system for this.