License Requirements
Criminal Background Convictions
Must I disclose all criminal convictions, even minor offenses in college?
As a result of changes to Business and Professions Code (BPC) section 480 effective July 1, 2020, the California Board of Naturopathic Medicine (Board) no longer requires prior criminal record history from applicants. Any record will be discovered upon receipt of fingerprint results, at which time, the Board will request the applicant to voluntarily provide evidence of rehabilitation and further explanation of the events.
Please note that the Board is notified of all criminal history, including convictions that have been dismissed or expunged. The Board may not deny a license on the basis of a conviction that has been dismissed pursuant to Penal Code sections 1203.4, 1203.4(a), 1203.41, 1203.42, or 1203.425, or a comparable dismissal or expungement.
How might a criminal conviction affect my application for licensure?
The Board frequently receives questions about criminal convictions and how they could affect an application for a naturopathic doctor's license.
The Board is unable to provide legal advice to applicants or their representatives. However, every situation is unique and is addressed on an individual basis. The Board reviews each conviction based not only on the conviction itself in relation to the statutes, but also on the underlying issues that led to the conviction.
The Board may also learn of new charges by the Department of Justice as a result of the fingerprint process.
A conviction that does not, at first glance, appear to be substantially related to the qualifications, functions or duties of a naturopathic doctor, may, under closer scrutiny, be revealed otherwise (e.g.; reckless driving, DUIs, and sex crimes). All information related to an applicant's criminal history is considered. The specific conviction; when it occurred; the circumstances surrounding the conviction; the number of convictions; compliance with the court's terms and conditions; and rehabilitation are all factors considered when determining an applicant's eligibility for licensure.
The Board has four options relative to licensure: issue a full and unrestricted license; issue a license with a public letter of reprimand; issue a probationary license; or deny a license. These actions must be substantiated by appropriate evidence.