Criminal Record

[Flanz]

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I smoked too much marijuana and had a psychotic breakdown involving lots of delusions and hallucinations. In the end I have a possession, paraphernalia, property destruction, and stolen property misdemeanors all dismissed and a breaking and entering and larceny misdemeanor charges which were not dismissed. I don't really remember what happened during this incident and have since quit smoking marijuana. These charges can not be expunged.

I was wondering if I would be able to get licensed as an Optometrist and how hard it would be to get a job as an Optometrist if I get licensed?

 

[thanotoriousfob]

I smoked too much marijuana and had a psychotic breakdown involving lots of delusions and hallucinations. In the end I have a possession, paraphernalia, property destruction, and stolen property misdemeanors all dismissed and a breaking and entering and larceny misdemeanor charges which were not dismissed. I don't really remember what happened during this incident and have since quit smoking marijuana. These charges can not be expunged.

I was wondering if I would be able to get licensed as an Optometrist and how hard it would be to get a job as an Optometrist if I get licensed?

oops wrong thread.

 

[KHE]

I smoked too much marijuana and had a psychotic breakdown involving lots of delusions and hallucinations. In the end I have a possession, paraphernalia, property destruction, and stolen property misdemeanors all dismissed and a breaking and entering and larceny misdemeanor charges which were not dismissed. I don't really remember what happened during this incident and have since quit smoking marijuana. These charges can not be expunged.

I was wondering if I would be able to get licensed as an Optometrist and how hard it would be to get a job as an Optometrist if I get licensed?

This is not a question for pre-opt, or optometry students or even practicing ODs. It would seem to me that your first place to start would be the state board for whatever particular state you're interested in practicing in.

 

[iVision]

or perhaps a license lawyer

 

[Flanz]

That's great, are you part of the board for all 50 states in the USA?
Thanks for the negativity but I know someone who has felonies on his record and got a license and a job as an Optometrist but I wanted to get other opinions from other areas.

 

[KHE]

That's great, are you part of the board for all 50 states in the USA?
Thanks for the negativity but I know someone who has felonies on his record and got a license and a job as an Optometrist but I wanted to get other opinions from other areas.

Again, this is something that really needs to be directed towards the state board for whatever states you're interested in practicing. It's likely that someone may have a felony on their record and be able to be licensed but if felonies that involve drugs are usually handled differently, particularly when it comes to licensing health care professionals. For instance, you may be able to get an optometry license but ineligible to get a DEA number. That's going to limit your ability to prescribe.

So really, ask the boards of the states you're interested in.

 

[4Eyes]

Whether or not you'll really need a DEA number is another question though. Depending on where you're working. At least in some places, you can still Rx pretty much anything an OD would need to Rx without one. On rare occasion, you might have to call a pharmacy back and tell them how to work it out on a patient's insurance. If your state didn't certify you for TPAs, though, that could be a big problem.

I have no idea how states decide if they're going to decline a license application for things like this. But the applications do have a long checklist of questions "have you ever been convicted of...."

 

[Cheap Eye Exams]

I smoked too much marijuana and had a psychotic breakdown involving lots of delusions and hallucinations. In the end I have a possession, paraphernalia, property destruction, and stolen property misdemeanors all dismissed and a breaking and entering and larceny misdemeanor charges which were not dismissed. I don't really remember what happened during this incident and have since quit smoking marijuana. These charges can not be expunged.

I was wondering if I would be able to get licensed as an Optometrist and how hard it would be to get a job as an Optometrist if I get licensed?

Your best bet would be to try to get into the Puerto Rico school of optometry. Then try to get licensed to practice in Puerto Rico. The other schools would be more harsh on having those charges on your record. Also, most of the other states would not look well on letting you get licensed. I say your best bet is to work in Puerto Rico.

 

[Cheap Eye Exams]

Also, if you go to the Puerto Rico Optometry website, you'll see that they make it easy for you to pass.

"Over 50% of the examinations are given completely online." is what they say. Meaning you can cheat on 50% of your exams.

http://www.optonet.inter.edu/about/highlights.asp

 

[gochi]

That's great, are you part of the board for all 50 states in the USA?
Thanks for the negativity but I know someone who has felonies on his record and got a license and a job as an Optometrist but I wanted to get other opinions from other areas.

You can try.

If not successful, get your degree from the UK (cheaper/faster), then after practicing a few years in the UK, you can write the American boards and start practicing in the states.

 

[Meibomian SxN]

I know people who graduated and have had run-ins with the law, and they still practice as ODs, MDs, and even a JD. Every professional board handles every case differently, and so as it was already suggested to you, I would start by calling and talking with the State Optometry board and asking/meeting with them. Our profession does not use narcotics on an everday basis (as opposed to some MD professions), so even a restriction is better than nothing.