As required by the North Carolina Nursing Practice Act, applicants for nurse licensure as specified below are required to undergo a fingerprint-based State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) criminal history check:
- Applicant Seeking Licensure by Examination (NCLEX)
- Applicants Seeking Licensure by Endorsement (Reciprocity)
- Applicants Seeking Reinstatement of a North Carolina license (expired 6 months or longer)
Prior Criminal Convictions
If you have prior criminal convictions (misdemeanors and/or felonies) regardless of the age of conviction, you must submit the following to the Board of Nursing:
- Original Certified Court Documents for all Convictions (Misdemeanors or Felonies); and
- A detailed explanation of the events leading to the arrest and any other pertinent details if the conviction occurred within the last 5 years or if you're reporting a Felony conviction regardless of when it occurred
The Board of Nursing may deny an applicant based on a conviction of a crime only if the board finds that the applicant's criminal conviction history is directly related to the duties and responsibilities for the licensed occupation, or the conviction is for a crime that is violent or sexual in nature. The Board of Nursing must specifically consider the following factors by law when denying an applicant for licensure due to a criminal conviction:
- The level and seriousness of the crime.
- The date of the crime.
- The age of the person at the time of the crime.
- The circumstances surrounding the commission of the crime, if known.
- The nexus between the criminal conduct and the prospective duties of the applicant as a licensee.
- The prison, jail, probation, parole, rehabilitation, and employment records of the applicant since the date the crime was committed.
- The completion of, or active participation in, rehabilitative drug or alcohol treatment.
- A Certificate of Relief granted pursuant to G.S. 15A-173.2.
- The subsequent commission of a crime by the applicant.
- Any affidavits or other written documents, including character references.
Applicant’s denied licensure in whole or in part because of a criminal conviction have the right to appeal the decision of the Board within 30 days after receipt of the Board’s decision to the superior court located in the county where the applicant resides or where the Board is located pursuant to NC. Gen. Stat §90-171.37B(a) and §150B-43 et al.
Within North Carolina
Live Scan is digital fingerprinting and transmission of the impression directly to the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for processing. If you are within North Carolina, use Live Scan to obtain and transmit your digital fingerprints electronically to the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Submission and Fee Information
How to submit...
The background check application is completed within the initial application process.
Fee Information: $38.00
FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE
Valid Forms of Payment:
- Credit or Debit Card; MasterCard or Visa only
Retrieve Your Forms
Next, access, print and sign your Live Scan Application forms which include (1) 'Electronic Fingerprint Submission Release of Information' and (2) 'Applicant Information'
To retrieve your forms, select the Get Forms button located on the Criminal Background check tile.
Processing
Call your local Sheriff office in order to confirm they are able to complete the Live Scan process or if they are able to refer you to another location. Take both of your printed and signed Live Scan Application forms to your local Sheriff office. The law enforcement personnel will obtain and transmit your fingerprints via Live Scan directly to the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).
The forms are NOT editable once submitted. Please answer all questions carefully. If you discover an error once the forms are generated simply cross out the incorrect information and write in the corrected information. The forms are there to assist law enforcement with completing the fingerprinting process.
Please reach out to cbc@ncbon.com with any questions or concerns.
Criminal Background Check Results
The Application Confirmation which serves as your official receipt will be available on the Nurse Portal profile upon successful completion of the application process. To access, select the license tile and then the corresponding confirmation page under the file heading.
If a valid email address is listed with the North Carolina Board of Nursing, you will receive a confirmation via email verifying receipt of your online application.
Upon successful completion of the online application, you may check your application status via Nurse Portal. Licensure information can be verified on the Board's website. The Board of Nursing’s electronic database serves the primary source of licensure information for nurses in North Carolina.
Outside of North Carolina
Submission and Fee Information
How to submit...
The background check application is completed within the initial application process.
Fee Information: $38.00
FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE
Valid Forms of Payment:
- Credit or Debit Card; MasterCard or Visa only
Retrieve Your Forms
Next, access, print and sign your Background check Application forms which include (1) 'Fingerprint Submission Release of Information' and (2) 'Applicant Information'.
To retrieve your forms, select the Get Forms button located on the Criminal Background check tile in the Nurse Portal account at the very bottom of the page.
Processing
Call your local fingerprinting office in order to confirm they can provide you with a hard copy of your fingerprints or can refer you to a location that can. Take both of your printed and signed Background check Application forms to your appointment. The fingerprint agency will provide you with a fingerprint card which must be mailed in to the address listed on your forms. Be sure to include the information from the right-hand column such as reason printed and employer information. We do not have an ORI for Livescan outside of NC law enforcement.
The forms are NOT editable once submitted. Please answer all questions carefully. If you discover an error once the forms are generated simply cross out the incorrect information and write in the corrected information. The forms are there to assist law enforcement with completing the fingerprinting process.
Please reach out to cbc@ncbon.com with any questions or concerns.