A DUI can create an extra concern when your ability to work depends on a professional license. If you are a doctor, nurse, teacher or another licensed professional, you may worry that a DUI could interfere with your ability to keep practicing. A DUI can affect a professional license in Georgia, but losing your license does not automatically follow from the charge.
Here are the main ways a DUI can affect your professional standing and what that could mean for your license.
A DUI does not automatically revoke your license
A DUI does not automatically cause you to lose your Georgia professional license. The licensing board that oversees your profession has its own rules for reviewing criminal matters and deciding whether discipline applies.
Georgia law also limits when certain criminal convictions can serve as the sole basis for denying or revoking a professional license. Under O.C.G.A. § 43-1-19, licensing boards generally cannot deny or revoke a license based solely on certain felony or moral turpitude offenses unless the offense directly relates to the occupation.
Your licensing board may impose discipline
A licensing board can take disciplinary action after reviewing a matter involving a DUI. Depending on the profession and circumstances, possible outcomes could include:
- A reprimand or fine
- Probation or other conditions
- Suspension of your license
- Revocation of your license
These outcomes do not automatically apply to everyone who receives a DUI. The licensing board reviews the circumstances and applies the rules governing your profession before deciding whether discipline is appropriate. For example, Georgia’s Board of Nursing considers certain criminal convictions and whether a nurse can safely practice when determining whether board action may be necessary.
You may need to report your DUI to the licensing board
Your reporting obligations depend on the rules that govern your particular license. Some Georgia licensing authorities require applicants or licensees to disclose arrests, convictions or other criminal matters, including DUI-related offenses.
For example, Georgia nursing applications require supporting court records and explanations for certain arrests, charges or convictions. Failing to disclose an offense when the board requires disclosure could create a separate licensing issue.
Your profession and licensing board matter
The effect of a DUI depends on the professional license you hold and the rules that apply to it. Georgia does not use one set of licensing rules for every profession, so the consequences for a nurse may differ from those for a teacher, doctor or another licensed professional. Each board sets its own requirements for reporting, reviewing and disciplining conduct, so it’s worth knowing what the process is like based on what licensing board you are under.
Take steps to protect your professional license
A DUI can affect your professional license without automatically ending your ability to practice. If you hold a professional license, consider reviewing the DUI records and your licensing board’s reporting requirements with an attorney who understands both areas of law. That review can help you understand what you need to disclose and how the criminal matter could affect your license.