Disciplinary Guidelines for Applicants and Licensees With Criminal Histories: The Need for Uniformity

Evidence-based enforcement guidelines for criminal matters can help BONs establish fairer uniform disciplinary standards and thus reduce inconsistent discipline among the states. Moreover, removing vague and overbroad standards will decrease inconsistent discipline. Boards should publish their rules, policies, and guidelines and make them available to the public. These changes will increase the predictability of sanctioning decisions and decrease the adverse effects of inconsistent laws, rules, and guidelines.