How an Arrest Affects Your License : BVNPT - Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians
- License Alliance
- Dec 28, 2025
- 3 min read
You have been arrested and the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians has been notified of your arrest. Now what?
The Board opens a case file and assigns an analyst to manage the case file.
The analyst contacts you by mail to request a statement about your arrest.
The analyst requests a certified copy of the arrest or detention report from the law enforcement agency that arrested or detained you.
If the district attorney, city attorney, or other prosecuting authority files criminal charges against you, the analyst monitors the criminal court processes and requests certified copies of court records.
If the district attorney, city attorney, or other prosecuting authority declines to file criminal charges against you, the analyst requests records documenting the decision from the district attorney, city attorney, or other prosecuting authority.
After obtaining these records and any other relevant information, the analyst reviews the circumstances leading to your arrest. If criminal charges were filed, the analyst may wait for the disposition of the criminal case and recommend appropriate Board action, which may include:
Notice of Warning
If the circumstances leading to your arrest or the criminal conviction do not warrant formal discipline, OR were an isolated incident where you displayed poor judgment, the Board may issue a notice of warning closing the matter and reminding you of your obligation as a licensee to conduct yourself professionally, honestly, and ethically at all times.
Citation
If the circumstances leading to your arrest or the criminal conviction warrant more than just a warning but not formal discipline, the Board may issue a citation imposing a fine and requiring corrective measures such as completing remedial classes. You may also receive a citation for failure to respond to or cooperate with the Board’s investigation under California Code of Regulations title 16, sections 2504.1 and 2518.8.
Discipline
If the circumstances leading to your arrest or the criminal conviction are substantially related to licensed practice and indicate you may be a safety risk to the public, formal discipline may be brought against you by the Board’s executive officer by filing a written accusation through the Office of the Attorney General.
Things to Remember:
The objective of the enforcement process is to ensure public safety. Please be aware the purpose of the enforcement process is not to punish you.
The enforcement process takes time and may be subject to delays due to factors beyond the control of the Board, such as the time required for the disposition of any criminal charges or the time required to obtain records. Please be patient.
You may contact the assigned analyst if you have questions about your case. Please be aware that the assigned analyst may not be able to answer all of your questions.
While your case is pending, you may wish to consider proactive rehabilitation efforts such as completing drug or alcohol rehabilitation, participating in support groups like Alcohol Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, taking anger or behavioral management classes, seeking mental health treatment, or attending psychological or family counseling even if you have not been ordered to do so by the court. Please be aware you should stay current with your criminal court case, including attending scheduled hearings and completing any court-ordered programs in a timely manner.
"Stay informed. Understand how an arrest may affect your nursing license and what steps you can take next".
Don't wait until you're under investigation to find a lawyer. Join License Alliance today for as little as $29/month and secure the professional defense you deserve.
License Alliance LLC is not an attorney or professional law corporation.
Comments