All individuals applying for a health professional license or registration in the State of Michigan are required to submit fingerprints and undergo a criminal background check. This requirement is mandated by Public Act 26 of 2006 which states that “an applicant for initial licensure or registration shall submit his or her fingerprints to the department of state police to have a criminal history check conducted.”

Criminal background checks are mandatory for all nursing students at the student's own expense.
All information gained will be held in strictest confidence.

Students with felonies or certain misdemeanor convictions will not be admitted as outlined below.

Students entering the nursing program must give permission to do a criminal activity check to comply with Michigan Law.  No student will be admitted to the program if convicted of a felony or attempt/ conspiracy to commit a felony within 15 years preceding the date of admission; or a misdemeanor conviction involving abuse, neglect, assault, battery, criminal sexual conduct, fraud, theft (or similar misdemeanor in state of federal law) against a vulnerable adult within 10 years of conviction.

Additionally, ANY criminal convictions may prevent admission to the nursing program. Applicants should know that criminal activity of any sort may prevent:

1. clinical placements in the program (making success in the program impossible);
2. the ability to take NCLEX-RN or to be licensed as a Registered Nurse.
3. employment in the field of nursing. Employers do not have to hire anyone with a criminal background and some employers are refusing to hire those who have past criminal activity.

Criminal activity associated with substance abuse is particularly damaging to the candidacy of the applicant.
Currently the Michigan State Board of Nursing investigates candidates eligible to take the RN licensing examination for the following issues:

1. Felony conviction.
2. Misdemeanor conviction punishable by imprisonment for a maximum of 2 years.
3. Treatment for substance abuse in the past 2 years.
4. Malpractice settlements. Awards or judgments in the past 5 years.
5. Having federal or state health professional license or registration revoked, suspended, or otherwise disciplined; been denied a license; or currently with disciplinary action pending against the applicant.
6. Having been fired, censured, or requested to withdraw from a health care agency staff or had your staff privileges involuntarily modified.
7. Filed or written an RN application in another US jurisdiction.
8. Filed an RN or PN license application in Michigan.
9. Hold another RN license in another state.

A determination is made by the State Board of Nursing regarding eligibility to take NCLEX-RN examination. No one at MCCC can make the decision about eligibility to take the NCLEX-RN or licensing examination as a Registered Nurse. Questions or concerns about licensing should be directed to the Michigan State Board of Nursing at www.michigan.gov/healthlicense.