Tag Archive for: Can You Keep Your Missouri Nursing License After a Criminal Conviction?

Can You Keep Your Missouri Nursing License After a Criminal Conviction?

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A Clear Look at How Criminal Charges Impact Your License—and How to Defend It

If you’re a licensed nurse in Missouri and have been arrested or convicted of a crime, your first concern may be your job—but the more serious threat is your license. The Missouri State Board of Nursing (BON) has the authority to investigate and discipline nurses for certain criminal convictions, even if they happened off the clock and had nothing to do with patient care.

Whether the charge involves theft, drug possession, DUI, or assault, the consequences can be serious. But a conviction doesn’t always mean the end of your nursing career—especially if you understand your rights and take the right steps early.

Does a Criminal Conviction Automatically Result in License Revocation?

No. Missouri law does not automatically revoke your nursing license after a criminal conviction. However, depending on the type of offense, the Board may open a disciplinary case to evaluate whether you still meet the legal and ethical standards to practice.

Under RSMo § 335.066, the Board may discipline a nurse for:

  • Crimes involving moral turpitude
  • Crimes involving controlled substances
  • Crimes related to the qualifications or duties of a nurse
  • Any felony, or a misdemeanor that directly impacts your ability to practice

In some cases, the Board will allow a nurse to continue practicing with probationary terms or restrictions. In others, especially if the offense is serious or unreported, the result may be suspension or revocation.

Common Criminal Offenses That Trigger Board Action

While the Board reviews each case individually, the following types of convictions are most likely to result in disciplinary review:

🔹 Drug or Alcohol-Related Offenses

  • DUI or DWI
  • Possession of controlled substances
  • Drug diversion or theft from workplace

These raise concerns about impairment on the job or access to narcotics.

🔹 Violent or Assaultive Behavior

  • Domestic violence
  • Physical assault or threats
  • Disorderly conduct with violence

These can reflect on a nurse’s ability to handle patients safely and professionally.

🔹 Theft and Fraud

  • Shoplifting or employee theft
  • Medicaid or insurance fraud
  • Identity theft or credit card fraud

The Board may view these as indications of dishonesty or a lack of integrity, both of which are critical in healthcare.

🔹 Sexual Misconduct

Any conviction related to inappropriate sexual conduct—especially involving minors or patients—can lead to immediate suspension and possible revocation.

What If My Criminal Case Was Dismissed or Expunged?

If charges were dropped or expunged, that may strengthen your position—but you may still have to report the incident, and the Board may still review it.

Missouri BON may take disciplinary action based on the underlying conduct, not just the final court outcome. Expungement does not guarantee the incident is off limits to licensing boards.

When and How to Report a Criminal Charge or Conviction

Missouri nurses are legally required to report:

  • Any felony conviction
  • Any guilty plea or nolo contendere plea
  • Any misdemeanor that involves alcohol, drugs, violence, or dishonesty

You should report charges truthfully and promptly, but never do so without legal counsel. How you phrase your report matters, and any errors or omissions can be viewed as dishonesty—possibly worsening your situation.

Possible Disciplinary Actions by the Missouri Board of Nursing

If the Board finds that your conviction reflects poorly on your ability to practice nursing safely and ethically, they may impose:

  • Formal reprimand or censure
  • Mandatory ethics or substance abuse education
  • Probation with terms such as drug testing or supervision
  • License suspension or practice restrictions
  • Permanent revocation, in serious or repeated cases

All formal disciplinary actions become a matter of public record and may be reported to NURSYS and the National Practitioner Data Bank, which can affect your ability to practice in other states or obtain employment.

How Sanger Law Office, LLC Defends Nurses with Criminal Convictions

If you’ve been arrested, charged, or convicted of a crime, early legal intervention is critical. At Sanger Law Office, LLC, we defend Missouri nurses by:

  • Advising on self-reporting requirements and preparing written disclosures to the Board
  • Collecting mitigating evidence, including proof of rehabilitation, treatment, or continuing education
  • Negotiating alternatives to suspension, such as probation or participation in the Missouri Alternative Program
  • Representing you at disciplinary hearings, if formal charges are filed
  • Helping you avoid additional disciplinary action, even after a criminal conviction

We focus on showing the Board that you are accountable, rehabilitated, and still capable of providing safe, ethical patient care.

Key Defense Strategies That May Help Protect Your License

Every case is unique, but some effective defense approaches include:

✔️ Demonstrating Remediation

Evidence of alcohol/drug treatment, counseling, therapy, anger management, or similar steps can show you’ve addressed the underlying issue.

✔️ Isolated Incident Argument

If the conviction is your first offense, unrelated to work, and unlikely to recur, we may argue that it does not indicate a pattern of risk.

✔️ Positive Work History

Strong employment references, performance evaluations, or supervisor letters can show that you remain a safe, trusted professional.

✔️ Alternative Program Participation

In some cases involving substance use, we can help nurses enroll in non-disciplinary rehabilitation programs that may prevent public action.

Call Sanger Law Office, LLC today for a free consultation:

If you’ve been charged with or convicted of a crime in Missouri, and you’re concerned about your nursing license, don’t wait for the Board to take action. The steps you take now can protect your license and your future.

📞 Call Sanger Law Office, LLC today for a free consultation:
(816) 520-8040 for Missouri
(785) 979-4353 for Kansas

We’ll help you prepare, defend, and move forward—with your license and career intact.

Can You Keep Your Missouri Nursing License After a Criminal Conviction?

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A Clear Breakdown of What Happens to Your License After a Criminal Charge—and How to Defend It

If you’re a nurse in Missouri and you’ve been arrested, charged, or convicted of a crime, one of your biggest concerns is whether you’ll be able to keep your license. The short answer is: it depends on the charge, your response, and how you handle the Board’s investigation.

At Sanger Law Office, LLC, we’ve helped Missouri nurses protect their licenses after criminal offenses such as DUI, drug possession, assault, and theft. Here’s what you need to know about how criminal convictions affect your nursing license in Missouri—and what defense strategies can help you stay in practice.

Do Criminal Convictions Automatically Result in License Revocation?

No. A criminal conviction does not automatically mean you’ll lose your license. However, the Missouri State Board of Nursing is required to investigate any conduct that may violate RSMo § 335.066, the section of the Missouri Nurse Practice Act that outlines reasons for license discipline.

The Board can take disciplinary action for:

  • Felony convictions
  • Crimes of moral turpitude (acts involving dishonesty, fraud, or violence)
  • Any criminal offense that affects your ability to safely or ethically practice

This means even misdemeanor convictions—especially those involving theft, substance abuse, or violence—can trigger a formal investigation.

Criminal Charges That Commonly Trigger Board Action

The Missouri Board of Nursing reviews the facts of each case, but some criminal offenses are more likely than others to lead to disciplinary action:

🚨 Theft and Fraud

  • Shoplifting, Medicaid fraud, embezzlement, and financial crimes
  • Viewed by the Board as a question of trustworthiness and integrity in the workplace

🚨 Substance-Related Offenses

  • DUI/DWI, drug possession, or illegal use of prescription medications
  • Often lead to concerns about impairment and potential risk to patients

🚨 Violence or Assault

  • Domestic assault, battery, resisting arrest
  • Suggest impulsivity, poor judgment, or lack of self-control

🚨 Sexual Misconduct

  • Convictions for sexual offenses—regardless of whether they involve patients—can lead to immediate suspension and possible revocation

Reporting Requirements for Missouri Nurses

Missouri nurses are legally required to report certain criminal matters to the Board. You must report:

  • Felony convictions
  • Misdemeanor convictions involving drugs, alcohol, violence, or dishonesty
  • Plea agreements, even if adjudication is withheld
  • Any criminal offense that could reflect on your ability to safely practice

Failing to report a conviction can itself be considered unprofessional conduct and may worsen your disciplinary outcome—even more than the underlying offense.

What the Missouri State Board of Nursing Considers in Disciplinary Cases

When reviewing your case, the Board looks at:

  • The nature of the crime
  • Whether it was a first-time offense or part of a pattern
  • Whether it occurred on or off the job
  • Whether patients or coworkers were affected
  • Your explanation, accountability, and response
  • Whether you’ve completed probation, rehab, or counseling

The Board has broad discretion to close the case, issue a reprimand, impose probation, suspend your license, or revoke it—depending on how serious the situation is and whether they believe you’re still safe to practice.

Can You Still Renew Your License After a Conviction?

If your license is up for renewal and you’ve had a recent conviction, you must disclose it on the renewal application. If you don’t, the Board may treat your omission as dishonesty and take disciplinary action for failure to disclose, even if they would not have disciplined you for the underlying conviction.

Before renewing, consult a nursing license defense attorney to prepare your disclosure statement correctly.

Defense Strategies That Can Help Protect Your Missouri Nursing License

At Sanger Law Office, LLC, we use proven legal strategies to help nurses respond to criminal-related license threats. These include:

✅ Early Intervention

If you’ve been arrested but not yet convicted, we help you communicate with the Board before charges result in license action, and we work closely with your criminal defense attorney to protect your licensure interests.

✅ Mitigation and Rehabilitation Evidence

We present documentation showing:

  • Substance abuse treatment
  • Mental health counseling
  • Completion of criminal probation or diversion
  • Employment stability
  • Clean record since the offense
  • Support letters from supervisors or therapists

✅ Negotiation of Alternative Outcomes

In many cases, we can negotiate with the Board to:

  • Avoid formal discipline
  • Accept probationary terms instead of suspension
  • Enter a non-public alternative to discipline program for nurses in recovery
  • Create a re-entry plan that satisfies public safety concerns

✅ Representation at Hearings

If your case proceeds to a formal disciplinary hearing, we represent you, present your evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and argue for your right to continue practicing.

How Sanger Law Office, LLC Can Help

Our firm represents Missouri nurses in all stages of criminal and disciplinary issues, including:

  • Drafting responses to criminal-related Board inquiries
  • Preparing disclosure forms for license renewal
  • Attending Board hearings or settlement conferences
  • Advocating for reinstatement if your license was suspended or revoked
  • Preventing avoidable reporting errors that lead to discipline

We understand what’s at stake—your livelihood, reputation, and future—and we fight to protect it.

Call Sanger Law Office, LLC For Help

If you’ve been charged with or convicted of a crime, don’t wait until the Board takes action. The steps you take today can determine whether you’re able to keep your Missouri nursing license and continue your career.

📞 Call Sanger Law Office, LLC today for a free consultation:
(816) 520-8040 for Missouri
(785) 979-4353 for Kansas

Let us help you respond strategically and protect your license with experienced legal guidance every step of the way.