For the January 17-18, 2008 meeting of the Texas Board of Nursing (formerly the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners), attorney and general counsel Dusty Johnson presented an informational report on the Board’s policy in regards to minor criminal infractions and licensing. Of particular interest for current and future Texas nurses, the report provides a list

polygraph forensic quandryThe Board of Nurse Examiners for the State of Texas (BNE) evaluates applicant’s for RN and LVN licensure per the Nursing Practice Act and the Nursing Board’s Rules found in 22 Texas Administrative Code Sec. 217.11  et al.  Per the Nursing Practice Act, Board Staff has the ability to investigate an applicant’s character and fitness to practice Nursing based on indications that an applicant may lack the "good professional character" to be a licensed nurse. 

In an effort to weed out poor or marginal applicants Board Staff notifies individuals that due to their criminal, work, mental health or drug use history they must Petition the Board’s Executive Director for a Declaratory Order to practice nursing.  Then Board Staff (through the Executive Director) requests that they undergo a forensic psychological evaluation with a polygraph test component.  Although it is not explicitly stated in the request the implication is that a failure to submit to the "illegally requested" tests will result in a denial of the application for a license.

Although not legally authorized, Board Staff requests these evaluations for crimes that are often thirty (30) years old and that in and of themselves do not relate to the practice of nursing.  Moreover,  the forensic evaluation and polygraph tests are often nothing  more than a fishing expedition to determine if a person has done something in their past to render them ineligible.  Oftentimes what is dicovered is then used as the basis for denial even though it is often not legally admissible evidence. The simple truth is JUST Say No to the polygraph and call an attorney.  Continue Reading The Polygraph Test: Just Say No to the BNE