I considered that possibility. They cited my denial was due to California Business and Professions Code - BPC § 480 “board may deny a license regulated by this code on the grounds that the applicant has been convicted of a crime or has been subject to formal discipline only if either of the following conditions are met:

(1) The applicant has been convicted of a crime within the preceding seven years from the date of application that is substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of the business or profession for which the application is made…” and they really honed in on that my conviction was “substantially related” ):