Skip to main content
Preliminary Determination of Character Request

Preliminary Determination of Character Request

Preliminary determinations are for initial licensure only and cannot be used for relicensure or reinstatement proceedings.

Michigan law (MCL 339.202a and MCL 333.16174a) allows for an individual to obtain a preliminary determination from the Department concerning whether any court judgements against him or her would likely result in a denial of a license or registration for failing to meet the good moral character requirement for that license or registration. A preliminary determination under this section that is adverse to an individual does not prevent the individual from subsequently applying for a license or registration in the future. The Department or a Board is not bound by a preliminary determination under this section if the individual applies for a license or registration. An individual shall not request more than 1 preliminary determination in any 120-day period.

In evaluating Good Moral Character for licenses issued under the Michigan Public Health Code, the Department reviews two questions:

  1. Have you ever been convicted of a felony?
  2. Have you ever been convicted of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for a maximum term of two years or a misdemeanor involving the illegal delivery, possession, or use of alcohol or a controlled substance?

In evaluating Good Moral Character for licenses issued under the Michigan Occupational Code most applicants are currently asked to respond to the following statement:

I have the ability and will serve the public in a fair, honest and open manner. If I have had a judgment of guilt in a criminal proceeding or a civil action against me, I am rehabilitated, or the substance of my former offense is not reasonably related to the occupation or profession for which I am seeking a license. YES/NO

 

Applicants for licensure are required to have good moral character. Criminal convictions and other court judgments may indicate a lack of good moral character. If you would like the Department to make a preliminary determination concerning whether any court judgments against you would likely result in the denial of your application for a license or registration, you may request a preliminary determination of your character. To do so, you must submit documentation of the court judgment(s) and/or a detailed explanation of the date and nature of the judgment(s).

PLEASE NOTE: Preliminary determinations are based solely on the information and documents that YOU provide with your request.  The Department does NOT conduct a background check, search state records, or obtain your criminal history when making a preliminary determination. 

 

A preliminary determination is not binding on the Department. A preliminary determination does not establish your good moral character for purposes of licensure. If you choose to apply for a license or registration, the Department will evaluate the evidence of your good moral character at the time of application. 

Please note that obtaining a preliminary determination for a public health code profession does not exempt you from the requirement to be fingerprinted for a national criminal history check from the Federal Bureau of Investigations and Central Records Division of the Michigan State Police at the time of your formal application.

 

To submit a request for preliminary determination you must use the MiPLUS website using the following instructions:

Log into your MiPLUS Account at www.michigan.gov/miplus (Note: if you don’t already have an account, you will need to first register an account. For help registering an account with MiPLUS please review the instructions or watch the brief video below).

  • Click on “Licenses” at the top of the screen and then click on “Apply for a License or Submit a Request” underneath it and accept the disclaimer and click “Continue Application.”
  • Then choose “Good Moral Character Preliminary Determination” from the list of license types and check the box for “Good Moral Character Preliminary Determination.”
  • Select the contact information from your MiPLUS account.
  • Select the county in which you currently live.
  • Select the profession and license type for which you are seeking a preliminary determination.
  • Answer the questions that are asked based on the license type you selected.
  • If necessary, upload documents describing or pertaining to your request.
  • Verify the fee is correct and click “Continue Application.”
  • Enter your payment information.

 

You will be notified via email when we have completed the review and made a preliminary determination. Detailed instructions for submitting a preliminary determination request, including photos of the step-by-step process, can be found using the link below:

How to Request a Preliminary Determination Instructions