Since
1922, the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners has made chiropractic services safe for Californians by upholding strict licensure standards for all Chiropractors in the state. Without a valid and current license, no one can serve legally chiropractic patients.
Although this practice keeps patients safe, it can be cumbersome for some license applicants. If you want to become a chiropractor in the state of California and have past criminal convictions or license issues, you almost certainly need the help of an attorney when filling out your license application.
This blog covers just a few of the most common reasons to hire an attorney to help you with your chiropractic license application.
1. You Have Been Convicted of a Crime as an Adult
Past criminal convictions can be difficult burdens to bear, especially for job seekers. Even if you have a thorough education and honorable work history, a past criminal conviction can make the application for a chiropractor's license exceptionally difficult.
The application requires everyone to submit lengthy court documents as evidence of past misdemeanor and felony convictions, but not all convictions must be documented. Generally speaking, cannabis convictions and juvenile court convictions don't have to be reported, but you should definitely consult an attorney if you have an adult criminal history of any kind.
Not only will your attorney help you determine whether or not you should disclose your criminal history, but they will also guarantee that the application has all of the supporting legal documents necessary to fully report your history.
2. You Have Suffered From a Documented Drug or Alcohol Addiction
Drug and alcohol addictions can change lives and have far-reaching effects. To make sure all patients get the best possible care from their chiropractors, the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners requires applicants to disclose their former or current addictions.
If you were previously dependent on drugs or alcohol to the point that you got into legal trouble, you likely need to report this on your application. This is especially true if you were under a conservatorship at any point.
An attorney will help you determine whether or not your addiction warrants reporting and how to fully disclose it to the board. Working with an attorney who specializes in professional license defense will help you get the best possible chance at obtaining a valid chiropractic license no matter how you lived in the past.
3. You Have Had a Professional License Revoked in the Past
Even if you haven't had trouble with the legal system, you could still face a barrier to receiving your chiropractic license: former professional license suspensions or revocations. Even if you have never been a chiropractor, any professional license issues should be disclosed on your application.
Although many professional license issues have little relation to the field of chiropractic medicine, in order to protect patients, the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners still requires supporting documentation that details all professional license issues.
Even former chiropractors who had their chiropractic licenses revoked can petition to have them reinstated, so no matter what happened in your past, you still have a chance at getting your license in the near future.
The legal documentation around license revocations and suspensions in California and other states varies wildly based on the professional board that creates it and state laws. An attorney can help you find the correct forms to fill out and obtain all of the supporting documentation your application requires.
Chiropractors help thousands of people live happier, healthier lives, and at Spiga & Associates, we help people from all walks of life become professional, licensed chiropractors in the state of California. If you think you need help with your application to the California Board of Chiropractic Examiners,
contact us
today.