Will I Lose My Nursing License for a Felony Conviction?

 Posted on March 06, 2025 in Felonies

It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to become a nurse. You have put in countless hours studying and learning through hands-on experience, and you are now in an immensely rewarding and in-demand line of work. Losing your nursing license due to a felony conviction could be devastating. Fortunately, being convicted of a felony does not automatically mean that your nursing license will be revoked. However, the Maryland Board of Nursing will likely conduct an investigation and hold a hearing to determine whether you can keep practicing. The MBON may choose to revoke your license, suspend your license, or place you on probation. What happens in your criminal case can have a great impact on how the MBON will look at your case. It is important to promptly inform your Bel Air, MD criminal defense lawyer that you hold a professional license. When protecting your nursing license is a high priority, your attorney will need to approach your case with special care.

Nursing License Revocations and Suspensions For Criminal Convictions

 Nurses who are convicted of any offense will be asked to provide the MBON with more information and answer any questions regarding the offense. There are few strict rules regarding which offenses disqualify people from the nursing profession. The board of nursing has fairly broad discretion to suspend or revoke a nursing license or to place a nurse on probation due to a felony conviction or a misdemeanor of moral turpitude.

 The MBON is largely concerned with whether you will safely care for vulnerable patients. Your nursing license is likely most at risk if you are convicted of:

• Sex crime - People who are convicted of a felony sex offense are very likely to see their nursing licenses revoked. 
• Violent crimes - Violent felonies are taken very seriously. Nurses who have committed felony assaults may be viewed as a danger to patients. 
• Crimes of dishonesty - When you first applied for your nursing license, you were likely told over and over again to be honest on your application, even if there is something that could count against you because lying would make the situation far worse. Committing a crime like fraud would be treated similarly.  
• Crimes against vulnerable victims - Any felony committed against a vulnerable victim may cause the MBON to revoke or suspend your license. 

Boards of nursing are generally more willing to work with nurses whose offenses directly relate to a substance abuse disorder. Nurses struggle with substance abuse at a higher rate than most other professions. If you are willing to accept treatment and comply with any court-ordered requirements, there is a good chance that your nursing license can be restored after a probationary period.

Contact a Bel Air, MD Felony Defense Lawyer 

Seger Law, LLC understands the importance of preserving a hard-earned professional license. Aggressive Bel Air, MD criminal defense attorney Chelsey Seger can fight to have your charges reduced to misdemeanors or pursue an acquittal at trial. Contact us at 443-208-4692 for a complimentary consultation.