When Employment and Licensure Intersect: Addressing Ex-Offenders in the Health Care Professions

States are faced with the need to reduce their rehabilitation and correctional spending to manage costs. This need for cost reduction has placed a focus on reducing recidivism rates and resulted in efforts to reduce collateral consequences, including barriers to professional licensure for former offenders. In turn, public-safety concerns related to health care professionals must receive greater attention. Collateral consequences cannot be removed without first understanding the rationale for their creation.This article offers strategies for finding a balance between allowing those with criminal backgrounds to attain professional licensure and protecting the safety of the public.