resdiency and criminal conviction

[jazzcat]

How would I find out if having a criminal conviction 16 years ago would effect getting a residency after medical school?

[drjohnwebb]

It depends on what your conviction was for. If it was a felony, you may have a problem. If it was a minor crime, see if you can get it expunged (taken off your record). That is going to be up to the board when you go to get licensed.

[Picard]

Call the medical boards you are interested in getting licensed from and ask them.

There are NO SUCH THING as "expungements" or "sealed" when it comes to dealing with government entities such as a Medical Board. "Expungement," "sealing," or even an outright "Pardon" only shields the record from public view (ie private employers). You still MUST disclose your conviction to the medical boards regardless of what you and your lawyers can do to "expunge" the record. Failing to do so will definitely get you in trouble, and possibly get your license yanked if you were to get one without getting caught. I used to do background investigations on new recruits when I was a cop. Most medical boards have sworn peace officers (badges and guns) doing background investigations on applicants. They have the same access to systems like NCIC/III... etc like every other cop out there... so it's very difficult to hide convictions from them.

P