Jenny Barnhouse, Executive Director
Oklahoma Board of Nursing
P.O. Box 52926
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73152
Re: Youngs, Case No. 10.010.27
Dear Executive Director Barnhouse:
This office has received your request for a written Attorney General Opinion regarding the action that the Oklahoma Board of Nursing (“Board”) intends in the above-referenced case. On March 19, 2026, Erica Youngs (“Applicant”) submitted a complete LPN Licensure by Examination with Multistate License Request Application to the Board to practice multistate licensed practical nursing.
The Oklahoma Nursing Practice Act (“Act”) authorizes the Board to impose discipline, including denying a license, when a nurse “[i]s guilty of a felony, or any offense substantially related to the qualifications, functions or duties of any licensee or . . . any offense an essential element of which is fraud, dishonesty, or an act of violence, whether or not sentence is imposed, or any conduct resulting in the revocation of a deferred or suspended sentence or probation imposed pursuant to such conviction,” or “[i]s guilty of unprofessional conduct as defined in the rules of the Board.”1 59 O.S.2021 §§567.8(B)(2) and (B)(7).
On October 26, 2022, Applicant was charged with the following misdemeanors: Count 1: Threaten to Perform Act of Violence; and Count 2: Public Intoxication. On October 23, 2023, the Applicant pleaded guilty to both counts, and the Court ordered Applicant to drug court. If Applicant completed drug court, both counts were to be dismissed with costs. On March 25, 2024, the case was dismissed after Applicant completed drug court. On December 6, 2022, Applicant was charged with the following misdemeanor: Battery/Assault and Battery on Police Officer. On October 23, 2023, Applicant pleaded guilty to this charge, and the Court ordered Applicant to drug court and, if successful, the charge would be dismissed with costs. On March 25, 2024, the case was dismissed after Applicant completed drug court.
On July 17, 2026, Applicant was offered an agreed settlement to include approval of the Application. On August 8, 2026, Board staff contacted Applicant, and Applicant declined the agreed settlement that was offered on July 17, 2026, and verbalized understanding of the implications of declining said offer. Therefore, the Oklahoma Board of Nursing denies the Application.
The Board proposes to deny the Applicant’s application for licensure. It is, therefore, the official opinion of the Attorney General that the Oklahoma Board of Nursing has adequate support for the conclusion that this action advances the State’s policy to protect public health, safety, and welfare by ensuring nurses comport themselves with the standards of professional conduct at all times.
Cheryl Dixon
Deputy General Counsel
[1]Unprofessional conduct means “conduct detrimental to the public interest[.]” OAC 485:10-11-1(b)(3)(H).
