California Professional License Defense Attorney

A number of things can trigger an investigation by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing’s Division of Professional Practices.

A criminal conviction including a “no contest” or nolo contendre plea to even a misdemeanor gives the Commission jurisdiction to investigate the moral fitness of a teaching credential applicant or holder. Such convictions must be disclosed on all credentialing applications whether it is a first time applicant or a renewal. Even a conviction that has been set aside and dismissed under California Penal Code section 1203.4 must be disclosed on a credentialing application (and any professional licensing application for that matter). If you have a criminal past and are applying for a professional license, contact Sacramento Administrative Law Attorney Jonathan Turner for guidance.

Likewise, if you are teaching at a district and resign or otherwise leave your job due to an allegation of misconduct, your district is under an obligation to report you to the Commission’s Division of Professional Practices. A credentialing investigation will follow. A typical scenario is when a teacher is accused by the district of committing some form of misconduct. The district will threaten dismissal proceedings but then allow the teacher to resign instead. The teacher may be under the impression that with their resignation the entire incident is behind them. However, this is not the case as explained above. If you are a teacher accused of misconduct by your school district, contact Sacramento, California Teaching Credential Attorney Jonathan Turner.

Once the Commission’s Division of Professional Practices gains jurisdiction to investigate, the credential applicant or holder is notified of such with a Letter of Inquiry. When such a letter is received it is important that the teacher hire counsel such as Sacramento, California Professional Licensing Attorney Jonathan Turner. The investigation process can be lengthy and may include an appearance before the Committee of Credentials in Sacramento and/or an administrative hearing at the California Office of Administrative Hearings. Following the investigation process the license may be denied for a first-time applicant or suspended or revoked for a license holder. In short, much is at stake.

If you are applying for or hold any professional license and that license is threatened with discipline, contact Sacramento Administrative Law Attorney Jonathan Turner.