Arizona State Board Of Optometry Practice Exam

What constitutes moral turpitude in the context of license violations?

1. Any financial irregularity

2. Conviction of a felony

3. Minor ethical breaches

4. All of the above

The correct answer is: Conviction of a felony

Moral turpitude refers to conduct that is considered inherently immoral, dishonest, or unethical. In the context of license violations, the conviction of a felony is a clear indicator of moral turpitude because felonies generally involve serious offenses that undermine the integrity of an individual. Such convictions reflect a disregard for the law and ethical standards expected in a professional setting, impacting the trustworthiness and moral character essential for licensure. While financial irregularities and minor ethical breaches may also reflect poor judgment and ethical standards, they do not necessarily rise to the level of moral turpitude unless they involve significant wrongdoing or deceit. Therefore, it is the conviction of a felony that definitively classifies an action as involving moral turpitude in this context, as it represents a serious breach of ethical and legal obligations that can lead to disciplinary actions against a professional's license.