Education

To seek licensure as a registered nurse, individuals must achieve:

• Graduation from an approved/accredited registered nurse training program
• Passing score on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN)
• Meeting other State Licensing Board requirements, such as Pennsylvania Licensing Board requirements, as follows

Pennsylvania Licensing Board Requirements 

The following information from “The Professional Nursing Law,” which became effective January 1, 1986, clearly identifies the impact of felonies related to drugs and alcohol on licensure:
 

Section 6. The Board shall not issue a license or certificate to an applicant who has been convicted of a felonious act prohibited by the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L. 233, No. 64), known as “The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act,” or convicted of a felony relating to a controlled substance in a court of law of the United States or any other state, territory or country unless:

• At least ten (10) years have elapsed from the date of conviction;
• The applicant satisfactorily demonstrates to the Board that he has made significant progress in personal rehabilitation since the conviction, such that licensure of the applicant should not be expected to create a substantial risk of harm to the health and safety of patients or the public, or a substantial risk of further criminal violations; and
• The applicant otherwise satisfies the qualifications contained in or authorized by this act. As used in this subsection the term “convicted” shall include a judgment, an admission of guilt or a plea of nolo contendere. An applicant’s statement on the application of declaring the absence of a conviction shall be deemed satisfactory evidence of the absence of a conviction, unless the Board has some evidence to the contrary.

Felonies and misdemeanors, which do not fall under the provision above, may be a finding of impaired moral character. The determination of whether such conduct constitutes poor moral character is a discretionary matter for the Board of Nursing. Any felony may impact the licensure process.