DUI and Professional Licenses
Anybody can be arrested for driving under the influence (DUI), but the possible consequences of a conviction can be much more severe for people who work in certain industries. Alleged DUI offenders who are licensed professionals must not only address legal issues in court but may also face disciplinary measures at work that could have profound implications on their careers.
The extent of possible penalties for drunk driving offenses depends on the alleged offender’s specific occupation. In some cases, professionals may have their licenses suspended or revoked.
Lawyer for Professional License Issues and DUI Arrests in West Chester, PA
Are you concerned about the impact your recent DUI arrest in southeastern Pennsylvania might have on your professional license? You will want to make sure that you contact Ciccarelli Law Offices as soon as possible for help achieving the most favorable outcome possible to your case that does the least amount of long-term harm to your career.
Our West Chester criminal defense attorneys have office locations in West Chester, Kennett Square, King of Prussia, Lancaster, Malvern, Philadelphia, Plymouth Square, Radnor, and Springfield. Call (610) 719-3200 right now to set up a completely free initial consultation that will let our lawyers review your case and discuss your legal options.
Overview of DUI and Professional Licenses in Chester County
- How do DUI offenses affect the licenses of people in the health care industry?
- What are some other licensed professions that may be impacted by DUI arrests?
- Where can I find more information about licensing agencies in Pennsylvania?
DUI Consequences for Medical Professionals in Pennsylvania
Health care is a broad field that encompasses a number of different types of practitioners. Virtually every individual in a medicinal field is required to have some kind of license from their respective state licensing board.
A few of the most common kinds of health care workers in Pennsylvania who can have licenses affected by DUI arrests include:
- Doctors — When a physician is arrested for DUI, the State Board of Medicine will likely hold a hearing to evaluate the character of an alleged offender and his or her fitness to practice medicine. The Board may take disciplinary or corrective action, and an alleged offender’s failure to disclose a DUI charge or conviction can result in that person losing his or her license. The State Board of Medicine also handles the licensure, registration, and certification of acupuncturists, athletic trainers, behavioral specialists, nurse-midwives, physician assistants, practitioners of oriental medicine, radiology technicians, and respiratory therapists.
- Nurses — All nurses in Pennsylvania are required to report any convictions, guilty pleas, or Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program participation for DUI offenses to the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing in their initial applications or during periods of biennial renewal. The Board has the authority to discipline nurses for DUI offenses, and it may revoke licenses.
- Dentists — All dentists must report any DUI convictions on both initial and renewal applications for dental licenses, and the State Board of Dentistry handles disciplinary measures on a case-to-case basis.
- Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) — An EMT is required to report a DUI conviction to the Pennsylvania Department of Health within 30 days, usually resulting in an automatic license suspension. People who have been convicted of DUI in the last four years are typically unable to obtain certification from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT).
- Pharmacists — All pharmacists are required to report DUI convictions to the State Board of Pharmacy, where disciplinary measures are determined on a case-by-case basis. Licensees may be referred to the Professional Health Monitoring Programs’ (PHMP) Voluntary Recovery Program (VRP) of the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs (BPOA) for treatment.
Other Licensed Professionals Affected by DUI Arrests in Chester County
Many other types of professionals can have their licenses subject to some kind of disciplinary action for DUI arrests or convictions. Drivers of commercial vehicles, for example, can have their commercial driver’s licenses (CDL) suspended even if they are arrested for DUI in their own personal passenger vehicles.
A driver will typically lose his or her CDL for one year for a first DUI conviction, two years if the offense occurred while driving a commercial vehicle, and three years if the offense was committed while the alleged offender was transporting hazardous chemicals. Second DUI convictions can result in lifetime loss of CDL privileges.
Under 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 61.15, all pilots must send a notification letter to the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Security and Investigations Division within 60 calendar days of the effective date of an alcohol and/or drug-related conviction or administrative action. Each event, conviction, or administrative action requires a separate notification letter, and failure to submit notification letters can result in a pilot’s license being suspended or revoked.
The other professional and occupational licensing boards and commissions in Pennsylvania that may also have specific requirements involved for reporting and handling DUI arrests include the following:
- Pennsylvania Board of Accountancy;
- Pennsylvania Architects Licensure Board;
- Pennsylvania Board of Auctioneer Examiners;
- Pennsylvania Board of Barber Examiners;
- Pennsylvania Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers;
- Pennsylvania Board of Chiropractic;
- Pennsylvania Board of Cosmetology;
- Pennsylvania Board of Crane Operators;
- Pennsylvania Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists;
- Pennsylvania Board of Funeral Directors;
- Pennsylvania Board of Landscape Architects;
- Pennsylvania Board of Massage Therapy;
- Secretary of the Commonwealth – Notaries Public;
- Pennsylvania Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators;
- Pennsylvania Board of Occupational Therapy Education and Licensure;
- Pennsylvania Board of Optometry;
- Pennsylvania Board of Osteopathic Medicine;
- Pennsylvania Board of Physical Therapy;
- Pennsylvania Board of Podiatry;
- Pennsylvania Board of Psychology;
- Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission;
- Pennsylvania Board of Speech-Language and Hearing Examiners;
- Pennsylvania Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors;
- Pennsylvania Board of Vehicle Manufacturers, Dealers and Salespersons; and
- Pennsylvania Board of Veterinary Medicine.
Pennsylvania Resources for DUI and Professional Licenses
Professional Licensing | Pennsylvania Department of State — The Pennsylvania Department of State’s Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs provides administrative and legal support to 29 professional and occupational licensing boards and commissions. You can learn more about the history of the bureau and its licensing services by visiting this website. You can also search electronic disciplinary documents and file a complaint.
Pennsylvania Online Licensing — Visit this website to apply for initial licensure or renew your current license. You can also change your address, request a duplicate license, or check the status of your application. You can also find links for verifying current licenses.
Ciccarelli Law Offices | West Chester DUI and Professional Licenses Lawyer
If you have concerns about the fate of your professional licenses after being arrested in southeastern Pennsylvania for DUI, it will be in your best interest to seek legal representation as soon as possible. Ciccarelli Law Offices defends clients all over the Philadelphia metro area including Chester County, Delaware County, Lancaster County, Montgomery County, Bucks County and Philadelphia County.
Our West Chester criminal defense attorneys work as a team to get criminal charges reduced or dismissed so people face as few professional repercussions as possible. You can receive an honest and thorough evaluation of your case when you call (610) 692-8700 or submit an online contact form to schedule a free, confidential consultation.