Tag Archive for: Do You Have to Report a Criminal Charge to the Missouri Board of Nursing?

Do You Have to Report a Criminal Charge to the Missouri Board of Nursing?

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If you’re a licensed nurse in Missouri and you’ve been arrested or charged with a crime, one of the most pressing questions on your mind is probably: “Do I have to report this to the Missouri State Board of Nursing?” The answer is yes — in most cases, you are required to report criminal charges, even if the case is pending or ultimately dismissed. Failing to do so can create bigger problems than the charge itself, including potential suspension or revocation of your nursing license.

Let’s break down Missouri’s mandatory reporting rules, your legal obligations as a nurse, and how to report in a way that protects your career.

Mandatory Reporting Requirements in Missouri

The Missouri Board of Nursing enforces the Missouri Nurse Practice Act, which outlines the professional conduct standards for all licensed nurses. Under 19 CSR 20-20.025 and related provisions, nurses must report certain legal issues that could affect their fitness to practice.

You are required to report:

  • Any felony charges or convictions
  • Any misdemeanor charges involving moral turpitude, drugs, fraud, theft, or violence
  • Any pleas of guilty, no contest (nolo contendere), or Alford pleas
  • DUI/DWI arrests or convictions
  • Any disciplinary actions in other jurisdictions
  • Any finding of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a patient or vulnerable person

Even if the court dismisses the charge or you enter a deferred judgment program, the Board still expects you to disclose the incident.

When Should You Report?

The Missouri Board does not wait for criminal convictions. The duty to report often begins when you are formally charged or arrested, not when your case concludes. Waiting to see how the case plays out before informing the Board may be viewed as a failure to report in a timely manner — and that, in itself, can lead to disciplinary action.

If you’re unsure whether your particular charge requires reporting, it’s best to consult a nursing license defense attorneybefore making any disclosures.

How to Report a Criminal Charge to the Missouri Board of Nursing

Missouri nurses can report criminal charges through the online Nurse Licensure Renewal and Update System, or by submitting written notice to the Board. Here’s what to include in your report:

  • The nature of the charge
  • The date of the arrest or citation
  • The court handling the matter
  • Any pending or final outcomes, if available

It’s important not to minimize, omit, or misrepresent the situation. The Board can — and often does — conduct background checks and will cross-reference what you report with official court and law enforcement records.

What Happens After You Report?

Once reported, the Board may:

  • Open a formal investigation
  • Request your written explanation or supporting documents
  • Delay your license renewal
  • Issue an Administrative Complaint seeking probation, suspension, or revocation

If the underlying charge relates to drugs, violence, dishonesty, or patient harm, the risk of disciplinary action is especially high. However, voluntary, early reporting — paired with legal advocacy — may help reduce sanctions or lead to non-disciplinary alternatives such as a consent agreement or diversion program.

How an Attorney Can Help You

Self-reporting is not just a formality. What you say (and how you say it) can seriously impact the outcome of your Board case. An experienced Missouri nursing license defense attorney can:

  • Help you determine whether your charge is reportable
  • Prepare your disclosure in a legally safe and accurate way
  • Submit supporting documents or character evidence
  • Defend your license if the Board initiates disciplinary proceedings

Proactive legal representation ensures that one misstep doesn’t end your career.

Don’t Wait — Protect Your License Now

Facing a criminal charge is overwhelming enough. Don’t make it worse by mishandling your reporting duties. Whether you’ve been charged with DUI, shoplifting, drug possession, or another offense, the Missouri State Board of Nursing takes notice — and so should you.

Sanger Law Office, LLC represents nurses across Missouri in license defense matters, including cases involving criminal charges, investigations, complaints, and Board hearings. We know how to protect your rights, your license, and your livelihood.

Contact Sanger Law Office, LLC Today
📍 Serving Nurses Statewide in Missouri
📞 Call (785) 979-4353 for a confidential consultation
🌐 www.sangerlawoffice.com

Let us help you defend your license — because your career is worth protecting.

Do You Have to Report a Criminal Charge to the Missouri Board of Nursing?

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What Every Missouri Nurse Should Know About Criminal Charges and License Risk

For nurses in Missouri, getting charged with a crime can feel overwhelming. Beyond the legal consequences, you also face a critical question that could impact your career: Do you have to report your criminal charge to the Missouri State Board of Nursing?

The answer is yes—in many cases, you are legally required to report it. Failing to do so can trigger additional disciplinary action, even if the underlying charge is later dismissed or reduced. Knowing when and how to report a criminal charge properly—and what to do next—can help protect your license, your livelihood, and your future in nursing.

Missouri’s Mandatory Reporting Rule for Nurses

Missouri nurses are licensed and regulated by the Missouri State Board of Nursing under Chapter 335 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri (RSMo).

Under § 335.066(2), the Board has the authority to discipline any nurse who is found guilty of or pleads guilty to a felony or certain misdemeanors, particularly those involving:

  • Controlled substances
  • Fraud
  • Moral turpitude
  • Assault or abuse
  • Sexual misconduct

More importantly, Title 20 CSR 2200-4.020 of the Missouri Code of State Regulations requires nurses to report any criminal conviction, guilty plea, or nolo contendere plea within 30 days of that legal outcome.

This includes misdemeanor charges, not just felonies—and it applies even if the conviction is later expunged or sealed.

Do You Have to Report an Arrest or Just a Conviction?

Technically, you are not required to report an arrest—only a conviction, plea of guilty, or nolo contendere. However, if the arrest leads to a charge and that charge results in a plea or conviction, you are then legally required to report it within the 30-day window.

That said, early reporting and legal guidance can sometimes help mitigate damage, especially if the Board finds out through background checks or external reporting channels.

What Happens If You Don’t Report?

Failing to report a qualifying criminal charge or conviction is a violation of your ethical and regulatory obligations as a licensed nurse in Missouri. Even if the crime is relatively minor, non-reporting can lead to:

  • A formal Board complaint
  • An independent disciplinary investigation
  • License suspension, probation, or revocation
  • Public listing of Board action on your license profile
  • Mandatory reporting to the National Practitioner Data Bank

In many cases, the cover-up causes more damage than the original charge.

How to Report a Criminal Charge to the Missouri Board of Nursing

Reporting is typically done in writing. You may use the Board’s self-reporting form, or you may submit a signed letter that includes:

  • Your full legal name and license number
  • The date and type of charge or conviction
  • The name of the court and jurisdiction
  • A summary of the incident (factual and neutral)
  • A copy of the judgment or plea agreement, if available

If you’re unsure what to say—or how to avoid self-incrimination—do not submit anything until you speak with a professional license defense attorney.

Should You Report If the Case Is Still Pending?

No. You are not required to report pending charges. The obligation kicks in only after a plea or conviction. However, if you are convicted, enter a plea deal, or complete diversion, then you may be required to report the final disposition, even if you avoid jail time.

Deferred adjudication or diversion programs may still count as a guilty plea for the purposes of nursing regulation, depending on how the court treats the outcome.

What Charges Put Your License at Greatest Risk?

Not all criminal charges carry the same consequences. Some offenses raise immediate red flags for the Board, including:

  • DUI / DWI (especially with aggravating factors)
  • Drug possession or diversion
  • Assault or domestic violence
  • Theft or fraud-related crimes
  • Sexual misconduct or exploitation
  • Child endangerment or abuse

Even if a conviction is for a first-time offense, it may still result in license probation, monitoring agreements, or mandatory treatment. And in serious cases, the Board may initiate revocation proceedings.

Legal Defense and Proactive Strategies

The most effective way to protect your nursing license after a criminal charge is to:

  • Retain a criminal defense attorney and a license defense attorney early
  • Avoid making incriminating statements in your report to the Board
  • Provide mitigating evidence (rehabilitation, character references, compliance with court orders)
  • Demonstrate your fitness to practice through evaluations or proof of continued education

Often, a skilled lawyer can help negotiate an agreement with the Board—such as probation, participation in the Alternative Program, or conditional monitoring—without a permanent disciplinary mark on your license.

When to Call an Attorney

Many nurses wait too long to seek legal help, hoping a minor charge won’t impact their license. Unfortunately, even a misdemeanor can follow you for years if handled improperly.

If you’ve been charged with a crime—or if you’ve already entered a plea—consult with a professional license defense attorney immediately. Your legal rights and your ability to keep practicing nursing depend on taking fast, informed action.

Contact Sanger Law Office, LLC for a Free Consultation

At Sanger Law Office, LLC, we represent Missouri nurses facing license discipline due to criminal charges. Whether you’re preparing to self-report or you’ve already received a notice from the Board, we can help you take the right steps to protect your future.

📞 Call (816) 520-8040 for your free consultation today. Let us help you defend your license—and your livelihood—with experience and compassion.