Frequently Asked Questions About How Having a Criminal Conviction
Could Affect Getting a Clinical Psychologist License
1.
I am applying for the first-time for a license to be a clinical psychologist and I have a criminal
conviction in my past. Can I still
get
a license?
ANSWER: Depending on the type and nature of the conviction, most likely yes if you are
otherwise qualified. There are a few kinds of convictions that by law automatically bar an
applicant from receiving a clinical psychologist license. If you have one of these, your
application cannot be approved. Most types of convictions, however, do not automatically
prevent an applicant from obtaining a license. These convictions, along with other factors,
may be considered by the Department in its decision whether to grant a license. If you
have a conviction that is not an automatic bar to licensure, we encourage you to apply and
participate in the Department’s review process. Last year, for all licensed professions,
99% of applicants with a conviction who aren’t barred by law and who accurately
completed the application disclosing their conviction have obtained a license.
2.
Which convictions are an automatic bar to obtaining a license as a clinical psychologist?
ANSWER: If you have been convicted of one of the following offenses,
your a
pplication
by law cannot be approved and you will not receive a license:
• An offense requiring registration under the Sex Offender Registration Act
• An offense where the sentence imposed requires registration under the Sex Offender
Registration Act
• Involuntary sexual servitude of a minor
• Criminal battery against any patient in the course of patient care or treatment
• A forcible felony, depending on the date of your conviction and the date of your
release from confinement. Please refer to questions 6, 7, and 8 below for more
information.
3.
Which convictions will the Department consider when determining whether an applicant
qualifies for a clinical psychologist license? (These are NOT an automatic bar to obtaining a
license, but they do need to be disclosed on your application.)
• Arson • Assault
• Burglary • Reckless homicide
• Stalking • Manslaughter
• Battery • Unlawful use of weapons
• Healthcare fraud • Narcotic drug possession or sale
• Theft • Driving under the influence
• Felonies that do not by law • Misdemeanors involving dishonesty or
prevent you from getting a license that are directly related to your job as a clinical
psychologist
4. Which convictions will the Department NOT consider when determining whether an applicant
qualifies for a clinical psychologist license? (These convictions do need to be disclosed on your
application, but they will not have a negative effect on your request for a license.)
• Cannabis possession or sale
• Traffic offenses (except driving under the influence and reckless homicide)
• Trespass
• Vandalism
• Convictions that have been expunged, sealed, vacated, or reversed by the court or a juvenile
conviction/disposition. These convictions do NOT have to be disclosed to the Department. Please
refer to question 5 below for more information.
5. I have a juvenile conviction in my past, or an adult conviction that has since been expunged,
sealed, vacated, or reversed by the court. Should I notify the Department of this conviction?
ANSWER: No. Individuals applying for a license should not disclose to the Department
any adult convictions that have been expunged, sealed, vacated, or reversed by the court
or any juvenile conviction/disposition.
6.
I have a forcible felony conviction in my past. Can I get
a clinical psychologist
license?
ANSWER: Possibly. Applicants with a forcible felony conviction must meet all license
application requirements and qualify under the law for review of a forcible felony
conviction. For more information on who may file a petition for review and the process
for doing so, please click here.
7. What forcible felonies qualify for review? The review process applies to the following
forcible felonies:
• First Degree Murder • Robbery, Armed Robbery, & Aggravated Robbery
• Second Degree Murder • Vehicular Hijacking &
• Intentional Homicide of an Unborn Child Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking
• Home Invasion • Voluntary Manslaughter of an Unborn Child
• Drug-induced Homicide • Kidnapping & Aggravated Kidnapping
• Unlawful Restraint & • Forcible Detention
Aggravated Unlawful Restraint • Involuntary Servitude
• Trafficking in Persons • Aggravated Battery
• Compelling Organization Membership • Compelling Confession or Information by Force or
of Persons Threat
• Causing a Catastrophe • Possession of a Deadly Substance
• Making a Terrorist Threat & • Material Support for Terrorism
Falsely Making a Terrorist Threat • Hindering Prosecution of Terrorism
• Boarding or Attempting to Board an • Armed Violence
Aircraft with Weapon • Attempt of any of the above offenses
8. I have a conviction in my past and have submitted my application. What can I expect next?
ANSWER: The Department may contact you to request additional information or request
an informal conference to discuss your past conviction.
If your past conviction is a forcible felony: you will need to take an additional step for
your application to be considered. If you have a forcible felony conviction that qualifies
for review under the law, you will receive a document called a “Notice of Intent to
Permanently Deny Licensure.” This document is the first step in the forcible felony review
process. This Notice does NOT mean your application has been denied, but you must
submit a Petition for Review within 20-days of the mailing date stamped on the Notice of
Intent to Permanently Deny Licensure. For more information about forcible felony
convictions, please refer to questions 6, 7, and 8, click here for first-time health care
worker applicants, or click here if you previously had a health care worker license that
was permanently revoked or denied.
DISCLAIMER: The above questions and answers are provided for general information only and may not be completely accurate
in every circumstance, do not purport to be legal advice, and are not intended to be legally binding on the Department in a
particular case. Questions involving interpretation of the law and your legal rights and obligations should be addressed to your
lawyer.
