It can take years to get a Professional license for a field. Driving under the influence (DUI) is given significant media exposure, more than any other crime. You should be fully aware of the potential consequences you have to face in case of a DUI conviction. Most convictions end with paying a certain amount of fines, while some cases may have some serious penalties like suspension of your driver’s license, probation, and even arrest.
A DUI conviction can have severe effects on your career or your professional license. Not all jobs offer a professional license, but people involved in specifically skilled or sensitive work require a sense of dignity. Therefore some professional licensing platforms will discipline any member convicted of DUI.
For anyone holding a professional license, a DUI can have long-lasting effects on their future career. Even if you are a first-time offender, you may suffer some penalties. In some cases, people could lose their license and the ability to further their selected careers.
In this online age with electronic databases, professional licensing agencies can easily find out about any DUI conviction, even if you don’t report it to them. If you are convicted of a DUI, it is essential to attain legal assistance to protect your professional license and certificate.
Can You Lose A Professional License Due to a DUI?
Professional license holders need to report their convictions to the licensing board. In most cases, a hearing or review of your license will be conducted after a DUI conviction. For many professions, a DUI conviction will create a reason for the licensing board to conduct a case against you.
Your respective agency will determine whether you get a probation period or a temporary or permanent suspension of your professional license. Losing your driver’s license could become a potential liability and, no one would want to hire you. Your career could be over, particularly with frequent DUI convictions.
The licensing board will decide the matter after thoroughly reviewing the totality of the circumstances, such as whether you have had any problem with the law or a history of substance misuse or poor decision-making in the past. Multiple DUI convictions are more likely to end up in a revocation, as it becomes obvious that you’ll keep repeating similar unlawful and precarious behavior.
Some agencies will leave you with just a certain amount of fine, while most might take a potential alcohol problem very seriously and enact some strict actions.
Licensing Board Discipline
In most cases, your professional license isn’t revoked permanently, but still, you may face some disciplinary procedures such as:
- Warning letters
- Citations
- Fines
- Community service
- Entering a substance abuse treatment program
- Periodic drug or alcohol testing
- Substance abuse education
- Limitation of professional duties for a duration
- Restrictions or supervision required
- Probation
- Temporary or permanent license suspension
Impact of a DUI Conviction on Professional License Drivers
A DUI conviction can affect the following professions:
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Holders
Commercial drivers will have to face a one-year suspension of commercial driver’s license along with revocation of a professional license for their first DUI conviction. If a CDL holder is arrested for driving under the influence while transporting dangerous materials, the CDL suspension can last up to three years.
Moreover, a second DUI conviction results in the permanent revocation of their professional license.
Pilots
A pilot must report a Dui conviction or driver’s license suspension to the Federal Aviation Administration within 60 days. Otherwise, the convictions can result in permanent termination.
Medical Professionals
Medical staff ranging from doctors to nurses or healthcare providers are obliged to report a DUI conviction to their respective licensing board. Their liability is significantly preferred while determining the consequences for a DUI conviction. Again it may lead to license suspension.
Teachers
A first DUI conviction may not end up with an automatic loss of your teaching license, but having a higher BAC or consistent DUI convictions can. If drugs are also involved, the penalties would be more severe. Parents might also request the school to fire such teachers who have been convicted of a DUI.
Lawyers
Even lawyers and attorneys in Portland are responsible to report any DUI convictions to the Board of Professional Responsibility. Failing to report a DUI can result in severe disciplinary actions.
Contact an Experienced DUI Defense Attorney
Professional license holders need to seek assistance from experienced lawyers. Trilogy Law Group works with the most competent and proficient staff to help you protect your professional license against suspension. You can contact us anytime to get legal advice.
