Worried about my background check

i am 22 years old and have more than the minimum required observation hours to be accepted into the pta program. my gpa will be high enough as well, all i am worried about is 3 arrests i had when i was 18 years old. wrong place at the wrong time. 2 of those were DWI's and possession of marijuana. the 3rd was minor in possession of alcohol. i have since been clean and out of trouble. i am no "thug" and look very clean cut and well presented. i have a strong build as i work out regularly. will the dept disqualify me because of my background history? or will they see that i am on the right track now? please, any serious answers will indeed help

Arrests for DWI and possession are not "wrong place at the wrong time." You made the decision to drive despite being impaired/intoxicated. And you made the same decision again despite a previous arrest. At least own up to your dumb decisions.

Since noone here is in charge of the school you want to go to, nobody is going to be able to tell you whether or not they'll let you in. Go take the background test and find out. I'd guess since it's only been 4 years that you'll probably not get in, and there's most likely a lot of other people wanting in who have no record(s). If all of those charges were misdemeanors it shouldn't make much difference though. I think the marijuana charge would be the most damaging.

Thank you Southngirl! We don't come on this site to be judged. We all make mistakes and as long as you learn from it and stay out of trouble why not be given a second chance.

Good luck to you James King!

volunteer in the field to get an idea. It will save you time and money.

also talk to the advisor to ask

you might have problems with clinicals since they all do record checks.

i got a pardon and the only thing that shows up is other(speeding tickets)

i got a pardon 4 years ago and passed a criminal record check : ten times out of ten

volunteer in the field to get an idea. It will save you time and money.

also talk to the advisor to ask

you might have problems with clinicals since they all do record checks.

i got a pardon and the only thing that shows up is other(speeding tickets)

i got a pardon 4 years ago and passed a criminal record check : ten times out of ten

are you nuts? in Falmouth, Maine said: Dude,
The school will probably let you in if their is room. Not because they think you are a fine citizen, but because they will gladly take your money.
Because of the drug arrest, you will not be able to get ANY federal financial aid.
Oh, and even if you graduate without any additional incidents, no licensing board in the country will approve you for a license with a drug arrest/ conviction.
Smarten up, get your act together, and have fun working at Denny's brother!

If it's a midemeanor conviction- he will be able to financial aid. Sounds like you know a little about this process...personal experience? You'd think you'd have a little more heart....brother!

I think that it is blatant discrimation to hold misdemeanors against people for the rest of their lives! I think that some of these companies should be fined. Misdemeanors were never meant to follow people for the rest of their lives. I used to arrest shoplifters for a living and had I known, what I know now- I never would have been a part of the "profiteering" practices of loss prevention. It was initially designed to prevent loss to companies- but they also reserve the right, and practice it, to levy civil restitution fines against people that are caught. Let me enlighten a few of you "holier than though" individuals out there- NEARLY EVERYONE, AT SOME POINT, HAS BROKEN THE LAW IN THEIR LIFETIME." It only takes a knowledge of the law and rigorous self honesty to come to this realization. Nowhere in the constitution does it say that federal, state, city, or private business has the right to gather up all your personal information, to determine if you are worthy of employment. This practice has only become common w/in the last 40-50 yrs; since the advent of the computer. We actually do have privacy right- albeit nobody realizes it and or cares. In a free society, that values self indulgence, there are bound to be young people caught in the tuna nets...so to speak. Also keep in mind that people who levy charges against another, may be no better, and perhaps worse, than the person they are levying the charges against. Often times there may be limited witnesses and the police are more prone to believe the person who initially called the police. There have been more than 80 people exhonorated from death row- as the DNA proved them innocent(the amnesty project). And these cases were cases that were more heavily scrutinized- how about cases that were dumped on the desks of overburdened public defenders...how many of those people were innocent?! Not so black and white- is it!?

Sad as you think it is, that is our society. On the other side of the coin: Why should an upstanding citizen be denied a position because a company is forced to ignore the short-comings of someone with a criminal past and hire them anyway?
I guess it all comes down to who we want to have access to controlled substances that we as therapists are around all the time in hospitals and nursing facilities...Or the age old question: Who would you want to be treating you grandmother, mother, or you?
The only people who really seem to be against access to information are those with something to hide...kind of ironic.

Are you nuts? in Portland, Maine said: Sad as you think it is, that is our society. On the other side of the coin: Why should an upstanding citizen be denied a position because a company is forced to ignore the short-comings of someone with a criminal past and hire them anyway?
I guess it all comes down to who we want to have access to controlled substances that we as therapists are around all the time in hospitals and nursing facilities...Or the age old question: Who would you want to be treating you grandmother, mother, or you?
The only people who really seem to be against access to information are those with something to hide...kind of ironic.

It's not about sad/not sad...it's about the #'s, demographics, and employing our workforce! We are offshoring our jobs, we are telling everyone who will listen that we do not have the technical savvy in this country to get our employment needs met...so we are offering jobs to people from other countrys. That is simply not true. We have the savvy in this country- we are also one of the only countries that make arrests and convictions lucrative. We also encourage people to call the police on one another, rather than having a "mediator" employed on behalf of the state- to sort out the trivial, avoidable crap that clogs up our justice system. Do you know that we can be arrested for assault for pushing someone? If someone decides to be nasty about it- that can happen. I have law enforecment background and I used to arrest people for 8 yrs. You'd be surprised how ignorant the public is. Alll you hear about is the justice that has been denied- how about the persecution that should never have happened?! We have an imperfect system. Also, we have laws now that were not laws, during our parents day. Misdemeanors were not meant to be held against someone forever! There are more than 50 million people in america w/ some sort of record...that's a lot of people.

toodiminamerica in Apache Junction, Arizona said: It's not about sad/not sad...it's about the #'s, demographics, and employing our workforce! We are offshoring our jobs, we are telling everyone who will listen that we do not have the technical savvy in this country to get our employment needs met...so we are offering jobs to people from other countrys. That is simply not true. We have the savvy in this country- we are also one of the only countries that make arrests and convictions lucrative. We also encourage people to call the police on one another, rather than having a "mediator" employed on behalf of the state- to sort out the trivial, avoidable crap that clogs up our justice system. Do you know that we can be arrested for assault for pushing someone? If someone decides to be nasty about it- that can happen. I have law enforecment background and I used to arrest people for 8 yrs. You'd be surprised how ignorant the public is. Alll you hear about is the justice that has been denied- how about the persecution that should never have happened?! We have an imperfect system. Also, we have laws now that were not laws, during our parents day. Misdemeanors were not meant to be held against someone forever! There are more than 50 million people in america w/ some sort of record...that's a lot of people.

............also, I tend to have the old fashioned belief that the person who is qualified- should get the job!

toodiminamerica in Apache Junction, Arizona said: ............also, I tend to have the old fashioned belief that the person who is qualified- should get the job!

These days it's not so much about who's most qualified- it's more about who has less baggage. Companies are so scared of lawsuits, they have bought into this social hysteria. Why would someone who has say, been convicted of a DUI, be any more inclined to say...steal meds from a patient? Just because a person is a possible alcoholic, does not automatically imply that they would steal meds from a patient. When people try to justify a point, they use what we call a "slippery slope" to tie two similiar points- to reach a particular conclusion. However these arguements are not really based on fact.

Generally, 78% of the time according to public record in your State of Arizona, and 81% of the time in my State of Maine: people are multiple offenders. That means only about 20% of those who are convicted of a crime, misdemeanor or otherwise, never commit another. Say all you want about profiteering and the slippery slope, but it comes down to watching your back.
By the way, you are right: We are one of the few nations that runs the law enforcement and penal system like a business...a poor one at that, but it is much better than losing civil liberties without the chance to defend yourself whether you are right or wrong.
Just so you know, I paid a $150 dollar fine to avoid being arrested in Singapore for having chewing gum in my mouth when I left the airport and tried to get a cab...Think they made a profit there?

James King in Mission, Texas said: i am 22 years old and have more than the minimum required observation hours to be accepted into the pta program. my gpa will be high enough as well, all i am worried about is 3 arrests i had when i was 18 years old. wrong place at the wrong time. 2 of those were DWI's and possession of marijuana. the 3rd was minor in possession of alcohol. i have since been clean and out of trouble. i am no "thug" and look very clean cut and well presented. i have a strong build as i work out regularly. will the dept disqualify me because of my background history? or will they see that i am on the right track now? please, any serious answers will indeed help

Why do you want to be a PTA? Do you continue to abuse alcohol?

are you nuts? in Falmouth, Maine said: Generally, 78% of the time according to public record in your State of Arizona, and 81% of the time in my State of Maine: people are multiple offenders. That means only about 20% of those who are convicted of a crime, misdemeanor or otherwise, never commit another. Say all you want about profiteering and the slippery slope, but it comes down to watching your back.
By the way, you are right: We are one of the few nations that runs the law enforcement and penal system like a business...a poor one at that, but it is much better than losing civil liberties without the chance to defend yourself whether you are right or wrong.
Just so you know, I paid a $150 dollar fine to avoid being arrested in Singapore for having chewing gum in my mouth when I left the airport and tried to get a cab...Think they made a profit there?

Everyone has commited some type of crime in this country- everyone. And I don't care what you say about statistics. I took statistics in college and I have worked in law enforcement occupations- I worked surveillance and I have made it my lifes work to study people. And one thing that I have found is that the 20-60-20 rule is pretty spot on. It's a theory that I studied re: honesty. It's known w/ in loss prevention circles. And this is only concerning matters of theft. There are plenty of other scenarios out there, when played out under the right circumstances, can lead to similar outcomes. And re: the chewing gum in Singapore...don't care. I don't live in Singapore- I live in America. I hate it when people make a point by comparing one thing to another. Yeah, their system is imperfect...so is ours. Of course in different degrees, but injustice is injustice, and it should be addressed. And if having chewing gum in your mouth at an airport is the worst you've ever done...I stand in awe- for you must be an angel sent straight from the heavens.

You have made a few good points in your responses. I think it is funny that you call me to the carpet for using other situations to make an example...that is what you have been doing all along. The reason I am a good therapist is because I listen and bring real life scenarios into the PT room to make it real for my clients. I guess I should reconsider my whole practice model since those are obviously not good ways to get results. I am going to have a hard time breaking it to the rest of the staff.

Fun talking to you, and good luck James King,

I'm out.

are you nuts? in Falmouth, Maine said: You have made a few good points in your responses. I think it is funny that you call me to the carpet for using other situations to make an example...that is what you have been doing all along. The reason I am a good therapist is because I listen and bring real life scenarios into the PT room to make it real for my clients. I guess I should reconsider my whole practice model since those are obviously not good ways to get results. I am going to have a hard time breaking it to the rest of the staff.

Fun talking to you, and good luck James King,

I'm out.

Well I'm gonna miss ya- I like a good, relatively educated dialogue. I didn't think we reduced ourselves to primitive name calling, or other foolish behaviour. This is good; this is how people open up about stigmatized topics- they have mature, adult dialogue. Thank you for the banter and apposing view; it was interesting. I'm sorry, but I don't know James King.

toodiminamerica in Apache Junction, Arizona said: Well I'm gonna miss ya- I like a good, relatively educated dialogue. I didn't think we reduced ourselves to primitive name calling, or other foolish behaviour. This is good; this is how people open up about stigmatized topics- they have mature, adult dialogue. Thank you for the banter and apposing view; it was interesting. I'm sorry, but I don't know James King.

LOL........!

When people try to justify a point, they use what we call a "slippery slope" to tie two similiar points- to reach a particular conclusion. However these arguements are not really based on fact.

That is not what "slippery slope" means.

formerlawyer in Woburn, Massachusetts said: When people try to justify a point, they use what we call a "slippery slope" to tie two similiar points- to reach a particular conclusion. However these arguements are not really based on fact.

That is not what "slippery slope" means.

Yes and no! A lot of what people are argueing here is that public opinion, based on hysteria, can be justified by saying that if "this" than "that." My point is that this is not necessarily so. A more appropriate logical fallacy might be: Argumentum ad numerum (argument or appeal to numbers). This fallacy is the attempt to prove something by showing how many people think that it's true. But no matter how many people believe something, that doesn't necessarily make it true or right. Example: "At least 70% of all Americans support restrictions on access to abortions." Well, maybe 70% of Americans are wrong! The problem w/ the statistics repeated above is that not all people who commit crime are caught- as a matter of fact, if you were to go by statistics, a great # don't get caught. So what officially makes one a criminal- getting caught? The study would be skewed- if you familiar w/ the scientific method, you would know that this stats cannot not be an accurate study; it is flawed by design.

This is getting lame. James King was the author of the original post. You (toodiminamerica) were very quick to defend him, but you don't know who he is.

I always get a good laugh when people try to sound smarter than they really are just to give it away by consistently using bad grammar and throwing around cliches that aren't even used correctly.

A more correct use of your "slippery slope" reference would have been: We are walking on a slippery slope when we start granting people with criminal backgrounds professional license to work in the medical field.
The meaning of the cliche being if we allow this now, what will we allow next? It is a reference often used in the legal field and politics regarding setting a precedent.

You are right in stating that a large number of people who commit crimes are never caught...probably a majority of them. That just furthers the question: If the majority of criminals never get caught, aren't the ones who are arrested just plain stupid?

By the way, the scientific method has absolutely nothing to do with statistics in your reference to the numbers.

1. Ask a question
2. Conduct research
3. Form a hypothesis
4. Test your hypothesis
5. Analyze your data and form a conclusion
6. Record your research and continue if necessary

I guess you could make it an experiment by committing crimes and trying not to get caught...THAT WOULD BE SMART, let me know how it goes!

Guys,
You both seem to be very smart and educated. I guess no sane person would ever want someone with criminal record to treat their loved ones or have access to controlled substance. However, having a record should not bare a person from being a PTA for life. I think the record should be "reset to zero" after a certain period of time (e.g. 10 years or so).

Are you nuts? in Cumberland Center, Maine said: This is getting lame. James King was the author of the original post. You (toodiminamerica) were very quick to defend him, but you don't know who he is.

I always get a good laugh when people try to sound smarter than they really are just to give it away by consistently using bad grammar and throwing around cliches that aren't even used correctly.

A more correct use of your "slippery slope" reference would have been: We are walking on a slippery slope when we start granting people with criminal backgrounds professional license to work in the medical field.
The meaning of the cliche being if we allow this now, what will we allow next? It is a reference often used in the legal field and politics regarding setting a precedent.

You are right in stating that a large number of people who commit crimes are never caught...probably a majority of them. That just furthers the question: If the majority of criminals never get caught, aren't the ones who are arrested just plain stupid?

By the way, the scientific method has absolutely nothing to do with statistics in your reference to the numbers.

1. Ask a question
2. Conduct research
3. Form a hypothesis
4. Test your hypothesis
5. Analyze your data and form a conclusion
6. Record your research and continue if necessary

I guess you could make it an experiment by committing crimes and trying not to get caught...THAT WOULD BE SMART, let me know how it goes!

Hi Bully- how are you today? I see your back! And yes you do use the scientific method to get "statistics." You have to conduct a scientific method, to conduct some studies, that reach a particular outcome, that becomes a stat. You were the one shooting people down and then you call youself a councelor- what do you councel...rocks?! And not getting caught just makes you a better and smarter criminal?!- that's wonderful!!!

are you nuts? in Falmouth, Maine said: You have made a few good points in your responses. I think it is funny that you call me to the carpet for using other situations to make an example...that is what you have been doing all along. The reason I am a good therapist is because I listen and bring real life scenarios into the PT room to make it real for my clients. I guess I should reconsider my whole practice model since those are obviously not good ways to get results. I am going to have a hard time breaking it to the rest of the staff.

Fun talking to you, and good luck James King,

I'm out.

If I'm so stupid, how come you seem to be getting so frustrated? And I don't use bad grammar- I make typos, but not bad grammar. A slippery slope can also mean- "if this" than "that." And yes, that is what people keep doing a lot of- in reference to criminal records. And maybe I don't know Mr. King, but I do know a bully when I "read" one- "Smarten up, get your act together, and have fun working at Denny's brother!" He was simply on this forum to acquire some positive feedback. I'm pretty sure he didn't attack you. So I wonder who is more inclined toward aggression- him or you?

Are you nuts? in Cumberland Center, Maine said: This is getting lame. James King was the author of the original post. You (toodiminamerica) were very quick to defend him, but you don't know who he is.

I always get a good laugh when people try to sound smarter than they really are just to give it away by consistently using bad grammar and throwing around cliches that aren't even used correctly.

A more correct use of your "slippery slope" reference would have been: We are walking on a slippery slope when we start granting people with criminal backgrounds professional license to work in the medical field.
The meaning of the cliche being if we allow this now, what will we allow next? It is a reference often used in the legal field and politics regarding setting a precedent.

You are right in stating that a large number of people who commit crimes are never caught...probably a majority of them. That just furthers the question: If the majority of criminals never get caught, aren't the ones who are arrested just plain stupid?

By the way, the scientific method has absolutely nothing to do with statistics in your reference to the numbers.

1. Ask a question
2. Conduct research
3. Form a hypothesis
4. Test your hypothesis
5. Analyze your data and form a conclusion
6. Record your research and continue if necessary

I guess you could make it an experiment by committing crimes and trying not to get caught...THAT WOULD BE SMART, let me know how it goes!

HOW DO YOU THINK THEY GET STATISTICS? I like the little "cut and paste" you did on you're scientific method steps...brilliant! You see Mr. "Are you nuts"- unlike Mr. King, I do defend myself from attack. So keep attacking and I'll keep defending- if that's the kind of game you want to play.

toodiminamerica in Scottsdale, Arizona said: Hi Bully- how are you today? I see your back! And yes you do use the scientific method to get "statistics." You have to conduct a scientific method, to conduct some studies, that reach a particular outcome, that becomes a stat. You were the one shooting people down and then you call youself a councelor- what do you councel...rocks?! And not getting caught just makes you a better and smarter criminal?!- that's wonderful!!!

Statistics involves simple data collection and number crunching, not experimentation.
Yes, I did reference my eighth grade chemistry book to correctly state the steps of the scientific method.
Funny how I am the bully, but every one of your posts has an underhanded jab at me...I guess I shouldn't have saved all of mine until the end.
"If I'm so stupid, how come you seem to be getting so frustrated?" SHOULD HAVE BEEN A COLON OR NO COMMA AT ALL.
"if this" than "that." SHOULD HAVE BEEN: "If this," then, "that."

I'll stop there because I could pick apart your grammar all day, and yes, I know the difference between bad grammar and a typographical error: Bad grammar is a result of a lack of a formal education: typos are a result of nothing more than pure laziness...Where do you fit in?

Don't know where you got the idea that I am a counselor. This is a board for PT, PTA, students and prospective students...Which are you?

Funny how you get very defensive when someone challenges your thought process with facts and real life situations.

I would hope we all strive for some utopia where crime does not exist. Unfortunately, that is not the case. No society is perfect, but people who live the right way should be rewarded.

Are you nuts? in Portland, Maine said: Statistics involves simple data collection and number crunching, not experimentation.
Yes, I did reference my eighth grade chemistry book to correctly state the steps of the scientific method.
Funny how I am the bully, but every one of your posts has an underhanded jab at me...I guess I shouldn't have saved all of mine until the end.
"If I'm so stupid, how come you seem to be getting so frustrated?" SHOULD HAVE BEEN A COLON OR NO COMMA AT ALL.
"if this" than "that." SHOULD HAVE BEEN: "If this," then, "that."

I'll stop there because I could pick apart your grammar all day, and yes, I know the difference between bad grammar and a typographical error: Bad grammar is a result of a lack of a formal education: typos are a result of nothing more than pure laziness...Where do you fit in?

Don't know where you got the idea that I am a counselor. This is a board for PT, PTA, students and prospective students...Which are you?

Funny how you get very defensive when someone challenges your thought process with facts and real life situations.

I would hope we all strive for some utopia where crime does not exist. Unfortunately, that is not the case. No society is perfect, but people who live the right way should be rewarded.

Some stats ARE based on scientific study! I only get defensive when people attack others for absolutely no reason! And if people are imperfect, as you state, why would they be held to a level of accountability that is impossible. You have just proven my point! You have this reductionist approach to an arguement- you win the battle but you lose the war. You have proven that people are petty! Picking apart my punctuation and a few mispells doesn't prove your point @ all. Whether I used the slippery slope theory out of context or not- a slippery slope arguement does apply. And a slippery slope goes both ways! And by the way it is a logical fallacy, often applied to arguements- not a cliche

Are you nuts? in Portland, Maine said: Statistics involves simple data collection and number crunching, not experimentation.
Yes, I did reference my eighth grade chemistry book to correctly state the steps of the scientific method.
Funny how I am the bully, but every one of your posts has an underhanded jab at me...I guess I shouldn't have saved all of mine until the end.
"If I'm so stupid, how come you seem to be getting so frustrated?" SHOULD HAVE BEEN A COLON OR NO COMMA AT ALL.
"if this" than "that." SHOULD HAVE BEEN: "If this," then, "that."

I'll stop there because I could pick apart your grammar all day, and yes, I know the difference between bad grammar and a typographical error: Bad grammar is a result of a lack of a formal education: typos are a result of nothing more than pure laziness...Where do you fit in?

Don't know where you got the idea that I am a counselor. This is a board for PT, PTA, students and prospective students...Which are you?

Funny how you get very defensive when someone challenges your thought process with facts and real life situations.

I would hope we all strive for some utopia where crime does not exist. Unfortunately, that is not the case. No society is perfect, but people who live the right way should be rewarded.

How do you reward one group of individuals, by condemning another? You may have plenty of "formal education" but you have little common sense! Formal education in America is a bit of a joke- they teach you how to memorize but they don't teach you how to think! If you could think beyond the box, you would see how arresting more people for petty crap and condemning them to a life of secondary citizenship only serves to divide this country further than it already is. Based on my knowledge of surveillance and statistical DATA, approx. 450 million don't get caught- makes a lot of professional criminals!

toodiminamerica in Scottsdale, Arizona said: Some stats ARE based on scientific study! I only get defensive when people attack others for absolutely no reason! And if people are imperfect, as you state, why would they be held to a level of accountability that is impossible. You have just proven my point! You have this reductionist approach to an arguement- you win the battle but you lose the war. You have proven that people are petty! Picking apart my punctuation and a few mispells doesn't prove your point @ all. Whether I used the slippery slope theory out of context or not- a slippery slope arguement does apply. And a slippery slope goes both ways! And by the way it is a logical fallacy, often applied to arguements- not a cliche

oooops- I forgot to place a period at the end of the above sentence- sorry!

Are you nuts? in Portland, Maine said: Statistics involves simple data collection and number crunching, not experimentation.
Yes, I did reference my eighth grade chemistry book to correctly state the steps of the scientific method.
Funny how I am the bully, but every one of your posts has an underhanded jab at me...I guess I shouldn't have saved all of mine until the end.
"If I'm so stupid, how come you seem to be getting so frustrated?" SHOULD HAVE BEEN A COLON OR NO COMMA AT ALL.
"if this" than "that." SHOULD HAVE BEEN: "If this," then, "that."

I'll stop there because I could pick apart your grammar all day, and yes, I know the difference between bad grammar and a typographical error: Bad grammar is a result of a lack of a formal education: typos are a result of nothing more than pure laziness...Where do you fit in?

Don't know where you got the idea that I am a counselor. This is a board for PT, PTA, students and prospective students...Which are you?

Funny how you get very defensive when someone challenges your thought process with facts and real life situations.

I would hope we all strive for some utopia where crime does not exist. Unfortunately, that is not the case. No society is perfect, but people who live the right way should be rewarded.

Inference is a vital element of scientific advance, since it provides a prediction (based in data) for where a theory logically leads. To further prove the guiding theory, these predictions are tested as part of the scientific method. If the inference holds true, then the descriptive statistics of the new data increase the soundness of that hypothesis. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (a.k.a., predictive statistics) together comprise applied statistics.

Read more at Suite101: Statistical Testing in Scientific Research: Methods Used to Analyze Data Gathered Through Experimentation scientificresearchmethods.suite101.com/article.cfm/statistical_testing_in_scien

toodiminamerica in Scottsdale, Arizona said: Inference is a vital element of scientific advance, since it provides a prediction (based in data) for where a theory logically leads. To further prove the guiding theory, these predictions are tested as part of the scientific method. If the inference holds true, then the descriptive statistics of the new data increase the soundness of that hypothesis. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (a.k.a., predictive statistics) together comprise applied statistics.

Read more at Suite101: Statistical Testing in Scientific Research: Methods Used to Analyze Data Gathered Through Experimentation scientificresearchmethods.suite101.com/article.cfm/statistical_testing_in_scien

Hmmm- you might find this helpful! I took Statistics 270 and had a 3.5 average. I am also a science major. I was also an EMT and Dialysis Tech., Yada, yada, yada! Now, I think I am done- I'm "out." But unlike Mr. Spellcheck- I actually mean it!

So obviously you just don't get it. This forum is for active physical therapy professionals and students of physical therapy. I didn't see anywhere that mentioned douche bags who have studied science and have a pseudo-law enforcement background...Loss prevention, err, mall cop. What is that?
I end my comments on this topic by asking a question (rhetorical, of course...that means I don't need an answer): Why is it that all your attacks on me are speculative (lack of common sense?), and mine are all proven over and over again in your very repetitive rants.

had a record before and have been in your situation.

can you do this occupation?

probably not. you can't get a licence with any record

---------------------------------

heres the school program in my area

www.vcc.ca/programs-courses/detail.cfm?div_id=6&prog_id=175

They want 30 hours of volunteering and a criminal record search.

can you volunteer with a record ? To volunteer you must do a criminal record search. Its free for volunteers. This is why i said to volunteer. You will get your answer and it will save you time, money and headaches.

can you pass a crim record search? No, it will show up.

you can explain your situation. But of the thousands of companies that i interview for..all of them said no after i said i had a record. Some even were rude and told me to leave...

if you dont believe me. respond to some job add and then tell em you have a record. They will probably hang up..

--------------------------------------
if you want to get your record erased there is a process and it takes time

not sure about the process in the states. in canada you have to wait 3 years for misdameanours and 5 for felony/indictable.

Then, it takes 24 months or more to process the application. (my pardon took 33months)

------------------------------------------------------
what other careers?

Anything if you get your record cleared. Although some places do poly;s and you probably will get nailed. or enhanced security checks...so avoid those careers ie. law enforcment, sheriff....

----------------------------------------------------------------

how long take's to erese felony record in texas? and misdemeanor record ? i want to go for PT

are you nuts? in Falmouth, Maine said: Dude,
The school will probably let you in if their is room. Not because they think you are a fine citizen, but because they will gladly take your money.
Because of the drug arrest, you will not be able to get ANY federal financial aid.
Oh, and even if you graduate without any additional incidents, no licensing board in the country will approve you for a license with a drug arrest/ conviction.
Smarten up, get your act together, and have fun working at Denny's brother!

Wow! I can't beleive the jugdemental comments that were posted on this ADVICE site! People who are interested in helping and rehabilitating patients get log on to gain advice and get answers to questions they cannot answer thenselves not to be judged for their past bad decisions. I agree, you should own up to your own decisions, but everybody makes bad decisions. I'm sure you do things that are not acceptable in our society (denny's commentor).I do not mean to bring religion into this convo but we are not on this earth to judge and demean others, we are here to learn and gain as much knowledge as we can and be as respectful to our fellow man as possible. There are going to be mean and spiteful people everywhere you go but I hope when I graduate my fellow colleagues are not as mean and evil as you are. That would be a stressful, uncomfortable, and horrible work environment. I can assure you that you will be accepted into a program and you will not be denied the oppurtunity to help and heal patients that need your help to gain independence and confidence to move on with their lives.

thank you for that last comment! i agree he originally came on to ask a question he couldnt answer on his own, not to be judged and horribly belittled and put down! i am a firm believer that we all can make a few mistakes, and sometimes not learn from them right away, however that doesnt mean that noone can eventually learn from them and make some very remarkable and miraculous changes in there lives! i wish him nothing but the absolute best in his journey as a physical therapists assistant! if it is in fact true that you have learned from and moved on from your previous mistakes, then i think you could most definately plead your case and depending on how well you can present your self and your situation (what happened then and what you're doing differently now, i dont see why you wouldnt have just as fair a chance as the next person with absolutely nothing on his record, not even a jaywalk. i wish you nothing but the absolute best in your future and on your journey! good luck!!!

I am in a similiar situation- just wondering what the consensus is--- I just started the program and my CBC came back positive--- the majority of you seem to think there is no chance of becoming a PTA with a positive CBC-- does anyone know the truth?

Posted from a previous thread:
As a recent graduate of PTA program and individual with a previous charge (>10 years) I can tell you that I have not found any sources of what types of charges are acceptable and unacceptable. I know this, not all PTA's have lived a life without a few "trip-ups" but it is very difficult to determine what the boards will accept or reject. The criminal background check and review is handled on a state level, during your application for state licensure you will have to submit a packet of information to the state. One of the questions will read something like this..."
Have you ever been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty, nolo contendere, or no contest to, a crime in any jurisdiction other than a minor traffic offense? You must include all misdemeanors and felonies, even if the court withheld adjudication so that you would not have a record of conviction. Driving under the influence or driving while impaired is not a minor traffic offense for the purposes of this question."

An answer of yes will have to be detailed in writing to the specific address mentioned on the form. From there your guess is good as mine on what they will accept and what they will reject. Just a quick search of California I found.. www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/LnC/Pages/LnCContact.aspx
Not sure if that is the exact address that handles licensing of PT's and PTA's but they might get you in the right direction. Again, I know PTA's with previous charges, and some with flawless records..mostly depends on the nature of the crime and how long ago it was. I do know an individual that had to sit in front of a review board; he was waivered and attained his PTA license.

toodiminamerica in Apache Junction, Arizona said: If it's a midemeanor conviction- he will be able to financial aid. Sounds like you know a little about this process...personal experience? You'd think you'd have a little more heart....brother!

Yea, he will be able to get financial aid. The other guy is an ass!

IT SEEMS MR.WHOMEVER THER WITH HIS HIGH AND MIGHTY SCIENTIFIC DEGREE IS MISSING OUT ON HOW TO CARE FOR OTHERS WHOM HAVE MADE A MISTAKE EARLIER WITHIN LIFE.HE SEEMS VERY PROUD OF WHOM HE IS AND HAS NOT A CONCERN OR NO ONE ELSE OTHER THAN HIMSELF AND HIS ACHIEVEMENTS.THE REASON HE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM HERE IS BECAUSE HE DON'T WANNA.IT WILL KNOCK HIM OFF THE PEDASTOOL,OF WHERE HE THINKS HE IS,SHOULD CRIMINAL BACKGROUNDS NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE.CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS STARTED IN DAYCARE,LAW ENFORCEMENT AND AREAS OF CATHOLIC PRIESTS.THIS IS WHERE THEY SHOULD HAVE STAYED.A PROTECTION OF OUR CHILDREN NOT A TOOL TO DEMISE THOSE WHOM HAVE A DREAM OF TURNING THEIR LIFE AROUND AFTER USING PRIOR UNSOUND JUDGEMENT,CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS ARE FAST BECOMING THE NUMBER ONE REASON FOR HOMELESSNESS IN AMERICA.A FELON,EVEN THOSE WITH MISDEMEANORS CAN NOT GET GOOD PAYING JOBS THAT THEY R ABLE TO CONTEND WITH WITHOUT A PARDON.LIKEWISE A FELON CAN'T GET HELP WITH SEC.8 HOUSING,OR EVEN FOODSTAMPS.HE BY THESE COMPLICATIONS ARE LEFT WITHIN A POSITION BY SOCIETY BLUNDER,SIMILAR TO MR SCOTTSDALE AZ. TO EITHER COMMIT ANOTHER CRIME,LIVE WITHIN HOMELESSNESS AND CHARITY OR MAYBE EVEN BECOME SUICIDAL IN THE POSITION OF HAVING NO WAY OUT.IF A FELON DOES COMMIT A CRIME BECAUSE OF THIS ,I SINCERELY HOPE YOU MR.SCOTTSDALE ARE AT THE OTHER END OF IT.IT WOULD GIVE YOU GREAT SUPPORT FOR YOUR OTHERWISE IDIOTIC AND SELFISH COMMENTS.

I am currently under the first time offenders act for theft by conversion and I want to go back to school for physical therapy assistant. Will the state allow me to do that?

James King in Mission, Texas said: i am 22 years old and have more than the minimum required observation hours to be accepted into the pta program. my gpa will be high enough as well, all i am worried about is 3 arrests i had when i was 18 years old. wrong place at the wrong time. 2 of those were DWI's and possession of marijuana. the 3rd was minor in possession of alcohol. i have since been clean and out of trouble. i am no "thug" and look very clean cut and well presented. i have a strong build as i work out regularly. will the dept disqualify me because of my background history? or will they see that i am on the right track now? please, any serious answers will indeed help

James call the physical therapy assisting board in your state and ask them what you need to do because ever state is different because you can do exemption in florida

I am currently a student working on my bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training at Florida Gulf Coast University. I recently finished my AA degree and was thinking about changing my curriculum to work on a Physical Therapy Assistant AS. My dilemma is that a few years back, I associated with a not so good group of peers and it got me into some trouble. I admit that at the time, I was ignorant and rebellious towards authority, as well as law enforcement. I was arrested several times for various accusations, ranging from petty marijuana possession to felony assault. The thing is it was my smart mouth and ignorant demeanor that got me arrested, although i shouldn't have been around the type of people i was around in the first place. The reason for explaining all of this is, though I was arrested many times, ironically, I was never convicted, and in most cases charges were never even filed. For those of you that don't know, Florida is one of the only states in the country that someone can be arrested and charged buy an officer, for a crime, at his discretion, without a formal information ever having to be filed. In essence this means an arresting officer can arrest anyone for anything at any time and that person, although arrested, is technically not charged with anything unless the D.A files an "Information" within 23 days. On the 22 day, charges are dismissed, and if incarcerated, you are released. The arrest stays on your record and shows up on a background check as “No Information/Nollo pross”. This is one of the ways that Florida acquires its funds in a state with absolutely no industries except tourism, healthcare, and of course, law enforcement. I am not trying to Justify myself to anyone, as I am merely providing information and background to those of you that would like to respond to this post. These arrests happened to me between the ages of 18 to 20. I am 23 now and have since steered clear of anything negative that may affect my life any further.

Any incite into my concerns reguarding my choice to pursue this career path is welcome!!

Sometimes there are repercussions that just do not go away when we get into trouble with the law. There is no magic wand. We know that drinking while intoxicated is wrong. We know that assaulting other people is wrong. Yes, we are all stupid in our youth, the question is how rebellious or how stupid? Unfortunately, some went farther than others. Just because the young man cannot be a physical therapist does not mean he could not do something other career for society. His life is not over. Go to a college career counselor, be honest, and see what they suggest. I am so sorry you had those experiences in your early life. I bet I know what you'll be teaching your kids someday. No judgment meant here, sir. I'm the mother of two grown men; one of whom has had no trouble with the law, and the other who thought he was too smart to get caught. While he did not cause harm to anyone, he still broke the law. In fact, I took him to the police station myself. I wanted him to learn the lesson before he got too old and would be charged as an adult. Tough love still is love. So far, so good on that point. He knew it was wrong, but still did it. Because he was angry. Well, there's a reason we should listen to our parents. Because there are stiff penalties out there and the piper eventually has to be paid. Don't give up! There are career counselors who will help you find another area of employment. And teach your children well, okay? Bless you, son.

I wouldn't want someone with a record or has been arrested taking care of me or my loved one,it shows a lack of judgement and maturity and I would not be able to trust them. Also people need to own up to their breaking the law, not using the excuses "I was in the wrong place at the wrong time" or as Florida Guy said "associating with the wrong people".

Angelika22 in New York said: I wouldn't want someone with a record or has been arrested taking care of me or my loved one,it shows a lack of judgement and maturity and I would not be able to trust them. Also people need to own up to their breaking the law, not using the excuses "I was in the wrong place at the wrong time" or as Florida Guy said "associating with the wrong people".

At some point nearly EVERYONE has broken the law whether they were caught for it or not. I am not making excuses just stating the facts. Wrong choices were made. Isn't that life? You make mistakes when you are young to learn from them while you grow older and live your life. Just being on this website and looking for incite implies a level of responsibility and wisdom as a true criminal would be out snatching purses of something. Boys make excuses and men make changes. For you to say something like "I wouldn't want someone with a record or has been arrested taking care of me or my loved one" is a very blind comment. You yourself not knowingly probably know great people how have made bad choices in their lifetime. In my opinion some of the wisest individuals are the ones how have made many mistakes and learned firsthand what the correct path should be.

Why so harsh words (Falmouth Maine)dude that isn't true I have a friend that had drug charges and she work in the health field all that she need to do is call the board of health and ask them what you need to do because you can get a exemption in the field were that you can work and as for finacial aide you can get finacial aide it depends how long that you had that charge dont listen to people like that they don't want you to succed call the finacil aid and the board of health and ask them question because everb ody really dont know and dont stop at one answer you keep calling because one person might not know what they are talking about.Good Luck

are you nuts? in Falmouth, Maine said: Dude,
The school will probably let you in if their is room. Not because they think you are a fine citizen, but because they will gladly take your money.
Because of the drug arrest, you will not be able to get ANY federal financial aid.
Oh, and even if you graduate without any additional incidents, no licensing board in the country will approve you for a license with a drug arrest/ conviction.
Smarten up, get your act together, and have fun working at Denny's brother!

wow, never heard such a prick statement. things might be going good for you now but in the end you might be the one working in hells kitchen. Besides your statement was very unprofessional, I hope your not in the health care business.

Back to the original posts question- I too was worried about my criminal record when going thru the PTA program. I had 2 prior misdemenors for weed possession, 1 arrest but no conviction for DUI, and 1 arrest but no conviction for felony GTA (long humorous stories for both the non-convictions lol). All of these occurred when I was 18-20 years old, and none showed up on my background check some 6-7 years later or on my final background check to apply to take my national PTA exam (forget what it's called- the fingerprinting scan).

If in doubt, pay to have these background checks prior to starting the program so you don't get any surprises after putting in years/months of studying/attending classes