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California State Board of Pharmacy

Disclosure of Disciplinary Action, Arrest, or Conviction

Use of Criminal Convictions in Licensing Process

In reviewing applications for licensure, the board considers prior convictions of the applicant. 

Effective July 1, 2020, the board’s authority to deny an application based on certain criminal convictions was restricted.  (Business and Professions Code section 480.) Specifically, the board cannot deny an application on the basis of a conviction if:

Board Application Process with Criminal Convictions

Each applicant for licensure must submit their fingerprints to the California Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation for a criminal history background check.  Upon notification of an applicant’s criminal history, if any, the board will open an investigation and request supporting documents from the court and arresting agency to determine whether there is a basis to deny the application for licensure. 

Applicants with criminal convictions are not required to disclose a conviction on their application or provide supporting documentation. However, in order to expedite the review of convictions and the board’s ultimate licensing decision, applicants may voluntarily provide the following for each conviction:

Your disclosure of these items is voluntary – you may provide all, some, or none of them.  Your decision to not provide any information shall not be a factor in the board’s decision to grant or deny your application for licensure.  If information is not provided, the board may obtain arrest, court, prison or records from other sources to determine whether a conviction may be used as a basis for denying an application for licensure.    

The board does not pre-screen applicants with criminal convictions to determine eligibility for licensure and cannot offer legal advice. Please consult an attorney if you have any questions about completing the application.

Please refer to FAQs for Applicants with Criminal History for additional information.

If you have additional questions, please contact the Board of Pharmacy.

Revised August 2020