LICENSING INFORMATION

Associate Degree Nursing and LVN - RN Transition Program

Students completing the curriculum for the Associate Degree Nursing or the LVN - RN Transition program will receive the Associate of Applied Science degree and are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The Texas Board of Nursing (BON) determines eligibility for licensure. The BON provides individuals the opportunity to petition the Board for a Declaratory Order as to their eligibility in accordance with the Nursing Practice Act.

Vocational Nursing Program

Students completing the curriculum for the Vocational Nursing program will receive a certificate and are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Exam for Licensed Vocational Nurses (NCLEX-PN). The Texas Board of Nursing (BON) determines eligibility for licensure. The BON provides indivi-
duals the opportunity to petition the Board for a Declaratory Order as to their eligibility in accordance with the Nursing Practice Act.

Circumstances leading to Ineligibility
for State Licensure

The Board of Nurse Examiners has identified certain circumstances that may render a potential candidate ineligible for licensure as a licensed vocational nurse or registered nurse in the State of Texas. The board provides individuals the opportunity to petition the board for a De-
claratory Order as to their eligibility in accordance with Section 301.257 of the Nursing Practice Act.

If you are required to answer "yes" to any of the following questions, go to the Texas Board of Nursing website and access declaratory order process information. Processing a petition may take 6 to 12 months, or longer, after you pro-
vide all required documentation and depending on your circumstances. Once all requested documents have been received, you will be notified that the petition has been transferred to the Enforcement Department for review.

1.  ___ No  ___ Yes  

    For any criminal offense, including those pending appeal, have you:

    A.   been convicted as a misdemeanor?

    B.   have been convicted of a felony?

    C.   pled nolo contendere, no contest, or guilty?

    D.   received deferred adjudication?

    E.   been placed on community supervision or court-ordered probation, whether or not
          adjudicated guilty?

    F.   been sentenced to serve jail or prison time? court-ordered confinement?

    G.  been granted pre-trial diversion?

    H.  been arrested or any pending criminal charges?

     I.  been cited or charged with any violation of the law?

    J.  been subject of a court-martial; Article 15 violation; or received any form of military
         judgment / punishment / action? 
          (You may only exclude Class C misdemeanor traffic violations)

NOTE:  Expunged and Sealed Offenses: While expunged or sealed offenses, arrests, tickets, or cita-
tions need not be disclosed, it is your responsibility to ensure the offense, arrest, ticket or citation has, in fact, been expunged or sealed. It is recommended that you submit a copy of the Court Order expunging or sealing. It is recommended that you submit a copy of the Court Order expunging or sealing the record in question to our office with your application. Failure to reveal an offense, arrest, ticket, or citation that is not in fact expunged or sealed, will at a minimum, subject your license to a disciplinary fine. Nondisclo-
sure or relevant offenses raises questions related to truthfulness and character.

NOTE:  Orders of Non-Disclosure: Pursuant to Tx. Gov't Code 552.142(b), if you have criminal matters that are the subject of an order of non-disclosure you are not required to reveal those criminal matters on this form. However, a criminal matter that is the subject of an order of non-discloure may become a char-
acter and fitness issue. Pursuant to other sections of the Gov't Code chapter 411, the Texas Nursing Board is entitled to access criminal history record information that is the subject of an order of non-disclosure. If the Board discovers a criminal matter that is the subject of an order of non-disclosure, even if you properly did not reveal that matter, the Board may require you to provide information about that criminal matter.

    2.  Are you currently the target or subject of a grand jury or governmental agency investigation?  
         ___  No   ___  Yes  

    3.  Has any licensing authority refused to issue you a license or ever revoked, annulled, cancelled,
         accepted surrender of, suspended, placed on probation, refused to renew a professional license,
         certificate or multi-state privilege held by you now or previously, or ever fined, censured, repri-
         manded or otherwise disciplined you?    ___ No   ___ Yes  

    4.  Within the past five (5) years have you been addicted to and/or treated for the use of alcohol or any
         other drug?    ___ No  ___ Yes 

    5.  Within the past five (5) years have you been diagnosed with treated, or hospitalized for schizophre-
         nia and/or psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, paranoid personality disorder, antisocial personality
         disorder, or borderline personality disorder?    ___ No  ___ Yes 

    If  "YES"  indicate the condition:
          (   ) Schizophrenia and/or Psychotic disorders    (   ) Bipolar disorder
          (   ) Paranoid Personality disorder   (   ) Antisocial Personality disorder  
          (   ) Borderline Personality disorder

An individual enrolled or planning to enroll in a basic nursing program who has reason to believe that he/she is ineligible for licensure must petition the board for a declaration order as to his/her eligibility. The individual must submit a petition on forms provided by the board which includes:

    1.  a statement by the individual indicating the reason(s) and basis of potential ineligibility;

    2.  if the potential ineligibility is due to criminal conviction, any court documents including, but not
         limited to any indictments, judgments, probation records and evidence of completion of probation,
         if applicable;

    3.  if the potential ineligibility is due to mental illness (which is defined as an illness, disease, or
         condition which either substantially impairs the person's thought processes, perception of reality,
         emotional stability, judgment, or behavior), evidence of evaluation, including a prognosis, by a
         psychologist or psychiatrist, evidence of treatment, including any medication;

    4.  If the potential ineligibility is due to chemical dependency including alcohol, evidence of evaluation
         and treatment, after care and support group attendance; and

    5.  the required non-refundable fee of $39.00 (money order or cashier's check) made payable to the
         Texas Board of Nursing.