If I have an expunged felony do I disclose it on my medical school application?

[Judoka1113]

I have a felony from when I was 19 years old for telling someone that I was gonna kill him. Now I'm 35 and planning to apply to medical school. Should I disclose my felony conviction on medical school application even though it was reduced and expunged? I'm a California resident.

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[TriagePreMed]

No, you do not. When you fill out the AMCAS, you'll see the section for criminal records explicitly states that expunged records are not to be disclosed.

Good luck on your app cycle.

 

[Pons Asinorum]

I would highly recommend following up with your lawyer and verifying that that record is *actually* expunged, i.e. when a background check is run, that it comes up clean. Wouldn't be the first time.

 

[denco88]

I would highly recommend following up with your lawyer and verifying that that record is *actually* expunged, i.e. when a background check is run, that it comes up clean. Wouldn't be the first time.

We actually learned in my criminology class that even when records are expunged or people are exonerated, it still shows up on private background checks. Still, if its expunged, as was said above, no need to disclose it

 

[Judoka1113]

On the AMCAS application is says: You don't need to include expunged felony charges (in states where available). Then it says that Illinois residents don't need to disclose any expunged felony charges. I'm a California resident, does anyone if expunged felony is supposed to be included on the AMCAS application for California residents? Or do I have to move to Illinois and apply form that state?

 

[Amalgamate]

We actually learned in my criminology class that even when records are expunged or people are exonerated, it still shows up on private background checks. Still, if its expunged, as was said above, no need to disclose it

This is true, I have an expunged felony, it does not show up on public criminal background checks like the one med schools run (they use a regular background check company) but it does show up on government related ones such as the one for licensing. I have talked to several state licensing boards about it and asked if it ruled me out or would prevent me from practicing and most said it would be considered on a case by case basis and acknowledged but for my type of crime which is non violent and non drug related (used someones credit card when I was young and stupid) they did not see a problem

So my advice being that I'm in the same boat is that you do not have to on med school apps, but to email the state board and talk to them because you will when you go for licensing

 

[TriagePreMed]

On the AMCAS application is says: You don't need to include expunged felony charges (in states where available). Then it says that Illinois residents don't need to disclose any expunged felony charges. I'm a California resident, does anyone if expunged felony is supposed to be included on the AMCAS application for California residents? Or do I have to move to Illinois and apply form that state?

No, you don't have to disclose as a California resident. I don't know why they add the specifics to Illinois that way. They also do it for other specifics regarding Oregon. Expunged records are not to be disclosed.

If your offense was expungeable, you will probably have no issues with the licensing boards. I know attorneys with criminal records involving drugs before they went to law school.

 

[Judoka1113]

Thanks guys, this issue really had me stressed out. It's a real load off my shoulders, since there is nothing I would like more than to be able to practice medicine. I even thought about majoring in physics so I could get a PhD in astrophysics in the case they deny me the privilege of being a doctor. Now I will just concentrate on majoring in biology so I can prepare myself better for medical school. Thanks again.

 

[Amalgamate]

Thanks guys, this issue really had me stressed out. It's a real load off my shoulders, since there is nothing I would like more than to be able to practice medicine. I even thought about majoring in physics so I could get a PhD in astrophysics in the case they deny me the privilege of being a doctor. Now I will just concentrate on majoring in biology so I can prepare myself better for medical school. Thanks again.

Definitely keep me posted since I'm in the same situation, how close are you to applying, or is this a case where you were checking before going down that road

 

[Judoka1113]

Unfortunately not that close. I just got done with all of my prereqs except for Physics II, III, and Bio III (Botany) which I'll finish in the next year. I plan to transfer to a university next year and since I got Organic out of the way already, I'll have a year and a half to go there, so I would say another year and a half before I apply. How close are you? Keep me posted on your situation if you can, and good luck.

 

[Amalgamate]

Unfortunately not that close. I just got done with all of my prereqs except for Physics II, III, and Bio III (Botany) which I'll finish in the next year. I plan to transfer to a university next year and since I got Organic out of the way already, I'll have a year and a half to go there, so I would say another year and a half before I apply. How close are you? Keep me posted on your situation if you can, and good luck.

Probably about the same, it would be sooner but I'm going to retake some stuff to improve gpa for DO applications, and I'm starting to study for mcat.

I've had a lot of the same concerns so I've PMed a few members on here with criminal history that were currently in med school(misdemeanor and felony) so definitely don't give up hope, just realize you have to do extra work now to make up for anything that might come up

 

[mafunk]

Actually the California Medical Board DOES require that you disclose ALL past charges and convictions, including those that have been expunged. The background check they do does allow them to find expunged records. Also if you fail to disclose you are automatically disqualified for lisc. Go to their site and see for yourself.

 

[sector9]

Actually the California Medical Board DOES require that you disclose ALL past charges and convictions, including those that have been expunged. The background check they do does allow them to find expunged records. Also if you fail to disclose you are automatically disqualified for lisc. Go to their site and see for yourself.

That's a solid 7-month bump. And the OP wasn't asking about joining the California Medical Board, he was asking about applying to medical school. He'll cross the medical license application bridge when he comes to it

 

[TriagePreMed]

That's a solid 7-month bump. And the OP wasn't asking about joining the California Medical Board, he was asking about applying to medical school. He'll cross the medical license application bridge when he comes to it

I'm not a lawyer/legal expert, so this is not legal advice; this is just my understanding and experiences. Be warned.

Agreed. You can "hide" your expungment from any US-MD/DO college. You can't, however, "hide" it from any licensing board. In California, my understanding is that the law says that the only times you have to say "yes" are for a) Lottery jobs, b) Government jobs, and c) Licensing of any kind (yes, even something like a Realtor). Otherwise, the law allows you to say "no."

 

[dnl2111]

Actually the California Medical Board DOES require that you disclose ALL past charges and convictions, including those that have been expunged. The background check they do does allow them to find expunged records. Also if you fail to disclose you are automatically disqualified for lisc. Go to their site and see for yourself.

I have seen nothing of the sort on the Medical Board of California's website. In fact, while the Board does state that "[f]ailure to disclose a conviction is considered to be dishonest, and therefore an egregious breach of ethics and unprofessional conduct," it does not at any point explicitly or implicitly state that it is exclusively addressed with license disqualification and/or revocation.

California's Penal Code also provides little evidence of this claim, although it does address the necessity of reporting such a an expunged conviction when seeking licensure. California Penal Code, § 1203.4.(a):

...The order shall state, and the probationer shall be informed, that the order does not relieve him or her of the obligation to disclose the conviction in response to any direct question contained in any questionnaire or application for public office, for licensure by any state or local agency, or for contracting with the California State Lottery.​

No explicit or implicit statement of automatic license denial/revocation for nondisclosure of a felony conviction expungement.

 

[TriagePreMed]

I have seen nothing of the sort on the Medical Board of California's website. In fact, while the Board does state that "[f]ailure to disclose a conviction is considered to be dishonest, and therefore an egregious breach of ethics and unprofessional conduct," it does not at any point explicitly or implicitly state that it is exclusively addressed with license disqualification and/or revocation.

California's Penal Code also provides little evidence of this claim, although it does address the necessity of reporting such a an expunged conviction when seeking licensure. California Penal Code, § 1203.4.(a):

...The order shall state, and the probationer shall be informed, that the order does not relieve him or her of the obligation to disclose the conviction in response to any direct question contained in any questionnaire or application for public office, for licensure by any state or local agency, or for contracting with the California State Lottery.​

No explicit or implicit statement of automatic license denial/revocation for nondisclosure of a felony conviction expungement.

While I agree with your interpretation, we should be realistic in noting that failure to disclosure will pretty much end up in being denied licensing.

 

[farhana]

I hope you are in med school now .My niece has a similr problem when she was 19 ,possing a fake ID, her case was sealed . Now she wants to apply for med school , will this be a problem , please help.

 

[Goro]

Answer: yes.

 

[farhana]

Can you please advise us .You can reach me at [email protected] will reward you for your advise .