Applying to Pharmacy Schools and Becoming a Licensed Pharmacist with a Criminal Record

[mrjbb]

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Hi everyone, thank you in advance for reading my post!

I’ve been lurking on here and the pre-pharmacy forums for quite some time. I understand for the most part, where the industry sits and where it seems to be headed, however, I’ve been deeply interested for some time to enter the industry. I’m an older applicant (34m), non-traditional who started and owns his own business which is a family business, allowing me the ability to attend school full time. I have a family, 3 children and very supportive and loving wife. I started another non-profit that provided access to reduced medication and access to medicine/doctors for free for family’s that haven’t had traditional means of access or the ability to qualify for whatever reason for assistance.

Currently I have a 3.6 GPA and a 3.7 science GPA, several letters of recommendation, shadowing experience and I am almost done with my BS in Biological Sciences.

A little background on the felony(s) they are for battery. 2 counts, 2 individuals in the same circumstance same day/situation. Long story short I was at the wrong place and wrong time and definitely in the wrong state mentally as well as emotionally. Essentially I got into a pretty bad fight with 2 individuals. I was the aggressor, these individuals were much younger than me and although I felt provoked, I never should’ve lost my cool the way that I did and I’ve spent every single day of the past 10 years regretting my actions, analyzing what led me to those actions and how I can assure myself it will never happen again. I was sentenced to 4 years probation. Which I completed without any issues and I completed several anger management courses as.well as counseling.

10 years will have passed since the offense at the time of application. There’s no way for me to get my record expunged as I took a not so good deal and accepted a conviction with no adjudication withheld.

I’ve researched many state boards and I know a felony charge despite what some may say will not immediately disqualify me from a majority of states. I’ve spoken to an acquaintance criminal defense attorney who has helped several individuals in the past with criminal records gain admittance to state boards in various healthcare fields. He believes it is possible for me with proven re-integration into society, having my rights restored (which I do have) and showing great personal and professional growth and acceptance of my responsibility for my actions.

I’ve come here to see if anyone in the industry has heard of anyone gaining admittance to pharmacy school with a felony charge, adjudication not withheld and or knows a licensed pharmacist with a criminal record. I understand this could be an uphill battle, even for when it comes time to rotations in pharmacy school, but I just need an opportunity, the right opportunity to show personal growth, maturity and accountability.

I am ready to push through and move forward with my life. Unfortunately, the way society views felons is not very positive, however, I aim to do whatever it takes to become a fully licensed pharmacist. I also understand the implication this has for future employment. As Tony Robbins has said "There is no abiding success without commitment’. I am committed to overcoming my past, regardless of the difficulty I know I will face.

How are people in my position ever able to really re-integrate with society, those of us that are deeply remorseful for our mistakes and would never think about committing anything like that again.

For those that are going to say run from pharmacy, I can only begin to understand why, I’ve done my due diligence for quite some time and I am still (potentially yes stupid enough) to want to continue this journey.

Thank you everyone, please have a blessed day!

 

[bluc]

Good job on getting your life back together. You face three main obstacles:

1) getting licensed as an intern and later as a pharmacist;

2) getting someone to hire you;

3) job market is already bad which makes it even harder for you to find work…90% of the pharmacists are very similar so how are you going to compensate for the felony on your record? You might have to work in the middle of nowhere so you can build up your resume.

 

[mrjbb]

Good job on getting your life back together. You face three main obstacles:

1) getting licensed as an intern and later as a pharmacist;

2) getting someone to hire you;

3) job market is already bad which makes it even harder for you to find work…90% of the pharmacists are very similar so how are you going to compensate for the felony on your record? You might have to work in the middle of nowhere so you can build up your resume.

Thank you for the kind words and your response!

I’d primarily be gaining licensure in a state that does not bar someone with a convicted felony from applying. As most other states they review applications on a case by case basis, however, disclosure and proven rehabilitation play a very big part in a committees decision. I wholeheartedly believe I have a decent shot at licensure.

I plan on completing a residency and potentially a fellowship to attempt to mitigate the bad blemish I posses. There does exist an employer or multiple employers that are willing to look past the past of a felon and believes in second chances.

Where I differentiate from other pharmacists is the adversities I’ve faced while rebuilding my life and the attitude and work ethic I know I can bring to any employment opportunity I come across; that is a good fit for an employer and myself of course.

I am incredibly resilient, very capable of personally and professionally taking responsibility and my past and current business experiences have uniquely situated me in a position where I best understand where to take responsibility and contribute to my environment rather than just take from it.

I am wiling to put myself out there, to open myself up to judgement and flat out denial to achieve a greater purpose professionally in my life. I’m not entirely naive, rather I am willing to do whatever it takes. I have nothing to prove to anyone other than most importantly myself and then my family.

I appreciate all responses regardless of where or what they may lead or say.

 

[lord999]

Ok, really easy test on whether you can get licensed or not is to get a childcare worker license in your state. The same background investigation as pharmacy, if it is denied, going to pharmacy school is a waste of your time.

If the battery was done on someone who was a minor at the time of the crime, it is highly unlikely you will be able to get a license. Most of the practice acts were revised to not allow violent or sexual crimes against minors to be withdrawn from consideration (even CA with its rather progressive view towards ex-felon rehabilitation).

I plan on completing a residency and potentially a fellowship to attempt to mitigate the bad blemish I posses. There does exist an employer or multiple employers that are willing to look past the past of a felon and believes in second chances.

You will be prohibited from working in a federal facility or accepted to a training program that relies on federal funding which is most fellowships outside industry. Thank you, Bill Clinton (Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994).

 

[lord999]

And to your question on felons in pharmacy school, depends on the state. No, in AZ (too conservative a state and a state board). Yes, in MN for nonviolent/nonsexual/non-drug related crimes, though I was surprised that a couple of violent crimes felons did get through, but they have a sad stories after pharmacy school (one committed public suicide as they could not find good work, the other fell into substance abuse and lost their job and reputation on it). MN is a hard no on drug related crimes (we're talking federal trafficking, not DUI or possession). CA is similar to MN but more permissive. DC and surrounding states is less permissive than MN but more permissive than AZ.

 

[mrjbb]

And to your question on felons in pharmacy school, depends on the state. No, in AZ (too conservative a state and a state board). Yes, in MN for nonviolent/nonsexual/non-drug related crimes, though I was surprised that a couple of violent crimes felons did get through, but they have a sad stories after pharmacy school (one committed public suicide as they could not find good work, the other fell into substance abuse and lost their job and reputation on it). MN is a hard no on drug related crimes (we're talking federal trafficking, not DUI or possession). CA is similar to MN but more permissive. DC and surrounding states is less permissive than MN but more permissive than AZ.

Thank you for your response. I have an uphill battle. Unfortunately, a majority of people still do not believe in the rehabilitation of felons/ ex-criminals, until they suddenly become one or someone truly close to them is in a position to be. Then everyone is about second chances.

As long as it doesn’t affect people and their personal lives, it doesn’t need to be addressed, fixed or they don’t want to be bothered with it.

Not to turn this into anything political, but the highest office in the land somehow landed a felon, many conservatives willingly championed for it, yet someone like me who made a mistake regardless of the gravity, has shown remorse, their ability to re-integrate with “normal” (if such a thing) society will still be labeled negatively.

I understand, my actions signed me up for this and the consequences to follow will always be mine to bear. But we live in a world where compassion is evidently non-existent.

Regardless, it’d be a disservice to myself not to try my absolute best.

Ok, really easy test on whether you can get licensed or not is to get a childcare worker license in your state. The same background investigation as pharmacy, if it is denied, going to pharmacy school is a waste of your time.

If the battery was done on someone who was a minor at the time of the crime, it is highly unlikely you will be able to get a license. Most of the practice acts were revised to not allow violent or sexual crimes against minors to be withdrawn from consideration (even CA with its rather progressive view towards ex-felon rehabilitation).


You will be prohibited from working in a federal facility or accepted to a training program that relies on federal funding which is most fellowships outside industry. Thank you, Bill Clinton (Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994).

I’m aware some states will not license me. The states I have in mind review on a case by case basis and they factor many aspects of your unique situation. As such, background checks in these states require an explanation and thorough review as well as a meeting with the board prior to a decision being made. Licenses are not flat out denied for these states usually, unless it’s for sexual acts with minors etc.

Yet, I’m not naive enough to not understand I can be denied by every state, every job and every opportunity available.

I appreciate your time! Enjoyed your responses!

 

[steveysmith54]

Ok, really easy test on whether you can get licensed or not is to get a childcare worker license in your state. The same background investigation as pharmacy, if it is denied, going to pharmacy school is a waste of your time.

If the battery was done on someone who was a minor at the time of the crime, it is highly unlikely you will be able to get a license. Most of the practice acts were revised to not allow violent or sexual crimes against minors to be withdrawn from consideration (even CA with its rather progressive view towards ex-felon rehabilitation).


You will be prohibited from working in a federal facility or accepted to a training program that relies on federal funding which is most fellowships outside industry. Thank you, Bill Clinton (Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994).

I actually think that the best test is to apply to be a pharmacy technician. Likely if you can be a tech, you can be an intern, and ultimately RPh.

Seems like CA BOP issues licenses to most applicants whose records are not closely related to the function of a Pharmacist. From what I've seen is they issue the license, but concurrent place the license on disciplinary action, which prevents the licensee from working as PIC/being an preceptor, owning a pharmacy for 2-5 years. It will say something like this "Through a disciplinary action of the Board, the Application for a Pharmacy Technician License is granted. Upon satisfaction of all statutory and regulatory requirements, the license is issued, immediately revoked, the revocation stayed, and the license is placed on probation for five years subject to the terms and conditions in the decision."

The better question if pharmacy is worth it for OP, do his career plans align with what a Pharm.D degree offers? I am not sure.

I do command OP for what he has accomplished professionally and having his personal life in order.

 

[mrjbb]

I actually think that the best test is to apply to be a pharmacy technician. Likely if you can be a tech, you can be an intern, and ultimately RPh.

Seems like CA BOP issues licenses to most applicants whose records are not closely related to the function of a Pharmacist. From what I've seen is they issue the license, but concurrent place the license on disciplinary action, which prevents the licensee from working as PIC/being an preceptor, owning a pharmacy for 2-5 years. It will say something like this "Through a disciplinary action of the Board, the Application for a Pharmacy Technician License is granted. Upon satisfaction of all statutory and regulatory requirements, the license is issued, immediately revoked, the revocation stayed, and the license is placed on probation for five years subject to the terms and conditions in the decision."

The better question if pharmacy is worth it for OP, do his career plans align with what a Pharm.D degree offers? I am not sure.

I do command OP for what he has accomplished professionally and having his personal life in order.

I appreciate the response. Your suggestion definitely seems like a valid test. In my thorough research even after I made this post, is it’s definitely possible and likely to be licensed in some capacity in most states as long as I have gone through great lengths to rehabilitate, never commit anything like the charges I was convicted of, have shown remorse and that I have grown and moved on from my past mistakes and having recent persons that can speak to my character fitness at the time of application, especially if the incidents occurred over a decade + before. But most importantly that I've had no incidents since then.

 

[clarkbar]

Thank you for your response. I have an uphill battle. Unfortunately, a majority of people still do not believe in the rehabilitation of felons/ ex-criminals, until they suddenly become one or someone truly close to them is in a position to be. Then everyone is about second chances.

As long as it doesn’t affect people and their personal lives, it doesn’t need to be addressed, fixed or they don’t want to be bothered with it.

Not to turn this into anything political, but the highest office in the land somehow landed a felon, many conservatives willingly championed for it, yet someone like me who made a mistake regardless of the gravity, has shown remorse, their ability to re-integrate with “normal” (if such a thing) society will still be labeled negatively.

I understand, my actions signed me up for this and the consequences to follow will always be mine to bear. But we live in a world where compassion is evidently non-existent.

Regardless, it’d be a disservice to myself not to try my absolute best.


I’m aware some states will not license me. The states I have in mind review on a case by case basis and they factor many aspects of your unique situation. As such, background checks in these states require an explanation and thorough review as well as a meeting with the board prior to a decision being made. Licenses are not flat out denied for these states usually, unless it’s for sexual acts with minors etc.

Yet, I’m not naive enough to not understand I can be denied by every state, every job and every opportunity available.

I appreciate your time! Enjoyed your responses!

It has nothing to do with "people," the system doesn't provide stability and everyone is worried about a paycheck, so go along with the flow. You need to figure out what work field is compatible with whatever the state did to you and go from there.
Pharmacy school is a wreck. Definitely, someone will take your money, but they wont have a straight answer for you.

 

[CetiAlphaFive]

Hi everyone, thank you in advance for reading my post!

I’ve been lurking on here and the pre-pharmacy forums for quite some time. I understand for the most part, where the industry sits and where it seems to be headed, however, I’ve been deeply interested for some time to enter the industry. I’m an older applicant (34m), non-traditional who started and owns his own business which is a family business, allowing me the ability to attend school full time. I have a family, 3 children and very supportive and loving wife. I started another non-profit that provided access to reduced medication and access to medicine/doctors for free for family’s that haven’t had traditional means of access or the ability to qualify for whatever reason for assistance.

Currently I have a 3.6 GPA and a 3.7 science GPA, several letters of recommendation, shadowing experience and I am almost done with my BS in Biological Sciences.

A little background on the felony(s) they are for battery. 2 counts, 2 individuals in the same circumstance same day/situation. Long story short I was at the wrong place and wrong time and definitely in the wrong state mentally as well as emotionally. Essentially I got into a pretty bad fight with 2 individuals. I was the aggressor, these individuals were much younger than me and although I felt provoked, I never should’ve lost my cool the way that I did and I’ve spent every single day of the past 10 years regretting my actions, analyzing what led me to those actions and how I can assure myself it will never happen again. I was sentenced to 4 years probation. Which I completed without any issues and I completed several anger management courses as.well as counseling.

10 years will have passed since the offense at the time of application. There’s no way for me to get my record expunged as I took a not so good deal and accepted a conviction with no adjudication withheld.

I’ve researched many state boards and I know a felony charge despite what some may say will not immediately disqualify me from a majority of states. I’ve spoken to an acquaintance criminal defense attorney who has helped several individuals in the past with criminal records gain admittance to state boards in various healthcare fields. He believes it is possible for me with proven re-integration into society, having my rights restored (which I do have) and showing great personal and professional growth and acceptance of my responsibility for my actions.

I’ve come here to see if anyone in the industry has heard of anyone gaining admittance to pharmacy school with a felony charge, adjudication not withheld and or knows a licensed pharmacist with a criminal record. I understand this could be an uphill battle, even for when it comes time to rotations in pharmacy school, but I just need an opportunity, the right opportunity to show personal growth, maturity and accountability.

I am ready to push through and move forward with my life. Unfortunately, the way society views felons is not very positive, however, I aim to do whatever it takes to become a fully licensed pharmacist. I also understand the implication this has for future employment. As Tony Robbins has said "There is no abiding success without commitment’. I am committed to overcoming my past, regardless of the difficulty I know I will face.

How are people in my position ever able to really re-integrate with society, those of us that are deeply remorseful for our mistakes and would never think about committing anything like that again.

For those that are going to say run from pharmacy, I can only begin to understand why, I’ve done my due diligence for quite some time and I am still (potentially yes stupid enough) to want to continue this journey.

Thank you everyone, please have a blessed day!

My advice to you would be the same even if you didn't have a felony:

being a pharmacist is terrible. I have the dream job, and I was still trying to get out until I was forced to stay.


Also, just from my perspective: the sleep deprivation from having a kid in my 30s absolutely beat me up.
In pharmacy School, I was sleeping ***very*** little due to studying and extracurricular activities. I only thrived because I was in my 20s.


If you think you're going to be able to continue doing your business and non profit stuff, you're wrong. Even if you try, P2 year is going to chew you up