California Professional License Defense Lawyer

Why Early Record Cleanup Matters for License Applicants

If you’re applying for a professional license in California and have a criminal conviction in your past, your record may become a major obstacle — but it doesn’t have to define your future.

Licensing boards like the Department of Consumer Affairs, Board of Registered Nursing, Commission on Teacher Credentialing, and Department of Insurance will often review your criminal history closely. In some cases, they may even seek to deny or delay your license. But with the right legal strategy, you may be able to clean up your record and significantly improve your chances.

Key Takeaways

• Criminal convictions can trigger license denials or disciplinary actions in California.
• Certain convictions can be reduced or dismissed through post-conviction relief.
• Cleaning up your record before you apply can make a big difference.
• Legal remedies like expungement, record sealing, or reclassification are available — but must be handled carefully.
• We help professionals navigate this process clearly and strategically.

How We Help Applicants with Criminal Records

Before you apply for a license, it’s critical to review your full criminal record — and understand how licensing boards might interpret it. At the Law Office of Jonathan Turner, we assist clients with:

• Petitions for Expungement under Penal Code § 1203.4
• Reduction of Felonies to Misdemeanors under Penal Code § 17(b)
• Sealing and destroying arrest records under Penal Code §§ 849.5 and 851.6
• Petitions for factual innocence under Penal Code § 851.8

These actions can improve how your record appears to boards and can, in some cases, change the legal classification of a past offense — which may help prevent a license denial.

Case Example: Turning a Felony into a Misdemeanor — Then Dismissing It

A recent client — a court reporter applicant — contacted us after the Court Reporters Board moved to deny her license due to a five-year-old felony conviction.

We reviewed her case and determined the conviction was eligible for:

• Reduction to a misdemeanor under Penal Code § 17(b)
• Expungement under Penal Code § 1203.4

We filed both petitions with the court, successfully reduced the charge, and obtained an expungement. Because of this, the Board was required to treat the conviction as a misdemeanor, not a felony — a major difference in licensing outcomes.

This case is just one example of how early legal intervention can shift the odds in your favor.

Boards That Commonly Review Criminal History

If you’re applying for a license through any of the following agencies and have a criminal record, we recommend speaking with a license defense attorney before submitting your application:

• Department of Consumer Affairs
• Board of Registered Nursing
• Commission on Teacher Credentialing
• Department of Insurance
• Board of Behavioral Sciences
• Board of Real Estate, Department of Social Services, and others

What to Expect from a Consultation

During your free consultation, we’ll:

• Review your criminal record and your licensing goals
• Identify potential options for record cleanup
• Map out the best next steps to support your license application
• Answer your questions about the board’s likely response

We know how stressful this process can be — and we’re here to help you navigate it with confidence.

Your record is part of your past. Your license is part of your future. We help protect both.

Contact Jonathan Turner today for a free consultation.