• Facebook
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
Call us now: (602) 344 9865
Chelle Law
  • Home
  • Arizona
  • Arizona Nursing Board Attorney (Nursing Lawyer)
    • Complaints
      • Investigations
      • Investigation Notice
      • Do They Investigate Every Complaint?
      • How Long Does an Investigation Last?
      • Can a Nurse Continue to Work While Under Investigation?
      • Will Having an Attorney Make You Look Guilty?
      • License Renewal
      • What Does the Board Do?
      • Nurse License Compact
      • How Do I Report a Nurse For Unprofessional Behavior?
    • Disciplinary Actions
      • Can Past Discipline be Removed from Nursys?
      • Administrative Violations
      • When is Discipline Removed From the NPDB?
      • Is a Decree of Censure Public?
      • Is a Letter of Concern Public?
      • Why a Nurse Should Not Voluntarily Surrender
      • Arizona Nursing Regulatory Journal Disciplinary Action
      • Title Restrictions
      • Who Does the Board Regulate?
      • Can You be a Nurse with a Misdemeanor?
    • Criminal History and Reporting Requirements
      • Problems with a DUI
      • Felony Issues
      • Fingerprint Clearance Cards
      • Misdemeanor Issues
      • Undesignated Felony Problems
      • What Crimes Should a Nurse Report?
      • How Long Does a Nurse Have to Report a Criminal Charge?
      • Can a Felon Become a Nurse?
      • What Would a Nurse be Subject to if Recently Convicted of a Felony? | Criminal Convictions
      • What Shows up on a Background Check for Nursing School?
    • Appeals and Hearings
      • How a Practice Restriction Could Cost a Nurse Practitioner Their DEA Registration
      • 2 Ways to Overcome a Summary Suspension
      • 3 ways the Board can Suspend Your License
      • Will a Nurse Be Placed on The OIG List After a Voluntarily Surrender?
      • Board Hearing
      • License Suspension
      • Can a Nurse Continue to Work if Suspended?
    • License Probation Terms
      • Will Your Boss Know If You Are on Probation?
      • Can You Work Registry While on Probation?
      • Can You Work Nights While on Probation?
      • Can Probation Require Drug Testing?
      • How Do I Keep My Nursing License Active When Not Working in Arizona? | Nurse License Renewal
      • What Does it Mean When a Nurse is on Probation?
  • Attorneys
  • Results
  • Contact Us
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
Arizona Nursing Board - Misdemeanor - Heading

Arizona Nurse Misdemeanor

Nurses contact our board of nursing attorney and frequently ask, does state law allow a nurse with a criminal misdemeanor conviction to get a license with the Arizona State Board of Nursing?

The short answer is yes.

A misdemeanor for an Arizona nurse will not necessarily prevent a nurse (like an RN, LPN, or NP) from obtaining a license or a career in the health or medical field. However, the Board has a public policy on its website which covers the details of what circumstances a nurse with a case that resulted in a felony criminal conviction can get licensed.

This policy does not apply to conduct involving misdemeanor charges or convictions. Once a nurse applies to the Arizona State Board of Nursing, they need to disclose any felony criminal court convictions on their application. It must occur no matter how much time or years have passed since the conviction.

The Board will also inquire about past misdemeanor charges that resulted in a conviction. It helps the Board ensure the nurse can perform safe patient care despite a felony or other conviction on their record.

Disclosing a Misdemeanor on an Arizona Nurse Application

Suppose a nursing applicant is not required to disclose a misdemeanor (like a misdemeanor DUI). In that case, the Board can still initiate an investigation based on fingerprint background check results.

The Board then contacts the nurse and initiates an investigation utilizing the Arizona Nurse Practice Act law. The investigation determines whether the nurse is a danger to the public, has any medical or mental health problems, and whether the nurse has been rehabilitated since the misdemeanor or charges occurred. The Board wants to know whether the applicant can provide safe nursing care.

The attorneys at Chelle Law assist nurses with interpreting Board policy (generally contained on the Board website). They also help nurses with their application to show the Board the nurse isn’t a danger to the health, safety, and welfare of the public and can provide safe care.

Reporting a Misdemeanor Charge to the Arizona Board of Nursing

When a police officer issues a citation or arrest (which usually includes official charges) to a person, Arizona law requires the nurse to report any criminal misdemeanor charge that may affect patient safety to the Arizona State Board of Nursing. It must occur within ten business days; the nurse must report any felony charges.

It applies to both current licensees and applicants for licensure.

The Board has a page on its website which lists what misdemeanor charges the nurse must report. The board then reviews the investigator’s report to determine if disciplinary action is necessary. It’s important to note it’s considered unprofessional conduct when a nurse receives a misdemeanor or felony charge and fails to report it to the board within ten business days. It can result in additional disciplinary actions.

Arizona Criminal Charges Nurses Must Report

There are several criminal charges a nurse, nursing student, or applicant for a nursing license must report. These include:

  • Assault and similar offenses such as battery, threat of violence, harassment, striking another, touching with the intent to injure, etc. This includes domestic violence.
  • Theft and similar offenses such as stealing, receiving stolen property, looting, trespassing, passing bad checks, etc.
  • Fraud, such as identity theft, credit card fraud, misrepresentation, welfare fraud, insurance fraud, etc.
  • Abuse, neglect, and similar offenses such as child or elder abuse, physical or emotional abuse, abandonment, endangerment, etc.
  • Sexual offenses and crimes such as rape, molestation, sexual harassment, unwanted touch, prostitution, pornography, immoral sexual conduct, etc.
  • Drug and alcohol offenses such as DUI, theft of drugs, use of drugs, sale of drugs, growing, possession of drugs and/or paraphernalia, etc.
  • Arson such as deliberately setting a fire.
  • Animal abuse and animal cruelty.

Concealing Criminal Charges

The consequences can be dire if a nursing professional conceals a charge rather than a self-report. In most cases, the Board of Nursing will find out anyway. Should they find out, the discipline will be not only for the criminal charge but also for concealing it. It could eventually lead to an Arizona nursing license suspension.

Arizona Undesignated Offense

Being convicted of an Arizona Nurse Undesignated Felony could have massive repercussions on a nurse’s career. In 2010 the state of Arizona made a slight change to SB1096 and Arizona Revised Statute (ARS) § 13-604(A).

The change allows the Board to treat an undesignated offense that occurs/occurred after 23 July 2010 as a felony until the court enters an order designating the offense as a misdemeanor. See the Arizona Board of Nursing Felony Bar update.

If you’re interested in learning more about Arizona Nursing Board Criminal History laws and how to protect your rights, set up a consultation with Chelle Law and our Arizona Nursing Attorney. Reach out to us today.

Call Us Now: 602.344.9865

Contact Us

If you are in need of assistance or would like to hear more about the services we offer contact Chelle Law today!

Links of Interest

  • Home
  • Arizona Nursing Board Attorney (Nursing Lawyer)
    • Appeals
    • Complaint
    • Criminal History
    • Discipline
    • License Probation

Call Us Today!

602.344.9865

Hours/Office

Monday-Friday: 8:00am-5:00pm (MST/MDT)

Chelle Law 5425 E. Bell Rd, Ste 107

Scottsdale, AZ 85254

Contact Us Today!

5425 E. Bell Rd, Ste 107, Scottsdale, AZ 85254

info@chellelaw.com

Practice Areas

  • Professional Licensing Board Defense
  • Medical Contract Lawyer
  • Administrative Appeals & Hearings
  • Medical Contract Drafting
  • Fingerprint Card Attorney

Office Locations

  • Arizona
  • Indiana

Company

  • Robert S. Chelle, Esq. Founder & CEO
  • Sara Stark, Esq. Attorney
  • Renee Osipov, Esq. Attorney
  • Erin Howlett, Esq. Attorney

Resources

  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Sitemap

Follow Us

© 2022 Chelle Law. All rights reserved.  Disclaimer & Terms of Use.  Privacy Policy.

Scroll to top

How Much PTO Should a Physician Get Download



How Much PTO Should a Physician Get?

4 Factors to Consider with PTO

How Much Does Tail Insurance Cost Download

How Much Does Tail Insurance Cost for a Physician?

4 Key Aspects of Tail Insurance for Physicians

Physician Contract Review Checklist

Where Should We Send the Physician Contract Checklist?

28 Essential Physician Contract Terms to Put You in a Positive Financial Situation for Years to Come.