CA AB2138

Limits licensing boards' ability to deny licenses based on criminal convictions to crimes within the preceding 7 years that are substantially related to the profession, or crimes for which the applicant is currently or was recently incarcerated (with exceptions for serious felonies and sex offenses requiring registration)

Prohibits boards from denying licenses based on convictions that have been dismissed or expunged, arrests that did not result in convictions, or when applicants have obtained certificates of rehabilitation, clemency, or pardons

Requires boards to develop criteria for determining whether crimes are substantially related to a profession, considering the nature and gravity of the offense, years elapsed since the offense, and duties of the profession

Mandates annual reporting to the Legislature on applicant criminal history data, including numbers of denials, appeals, and demographic information, with boards required to retain application records for at least 3 years

Exempts the State Athletic Commission, Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, and California Horse Racing Board from the new provisions, with all changes becoming operative July 1, 2020