Can a Maryland DUI Affect Professional Licensure?

 Posted on April 11, 2025 in DUI Defense

As if being charged with DUI is not stressful enough, in addition to worrying about the fines and fees, potential jail time, and how you will get where you need to be without a driver’s license, in some instances, a Maryland DUI can affect professional licensure. Since your professional license is your key to making a living in your chosen profession, this can be an extremely serious issue. The best way to avoid having a DUI make an adverse impact on your professional licensure is to speak to an experienced Towson, MD DUI lawyer.

How a DUI Conviction Can Potentially Affect Your Professional License

If you currently hold a professional license, such as a license necessary to practice as a nurse, doctor, pharmacist, lawyer, commercial driver, or real estate agent, you could find that a DUI conviction can affect your license. This is because you are required to report any criminal conviction to the licensing board that oversees your license.

Healthcare professionals have very strict licensing requirements, so a DUI conviction can lead to disciplinary actions by the Maryland Board of Nursing or the Maryland Board of Physicians. Depending on the circumstances and the charges, you could find your license to practice revoked or suspended.

Real estate agents must report their DUI conviction to the Maryland Real Estate Commission, which can affect their ability to maintain their current license or to renew the license when it expires. Drivers who hold a CDL license can face extremely severe penalties for a DUI conviction, including long-term suspensions of their driver’s licenses that can, in many cases, end their driving career.

Lawyers are overseen by the Maryland State Bar, which also requires that all lawyers disclose any criminal convictions, including DUI convictions. Disciplinary action could be taken, and in extreme cases, a lawyer may find his or her license to practice law suspended or even disbarred.  

What Are Some of the Actions a Licensing Board May Take for Those with a DUI Conviction?

A licensing board may suspend or revoke your license, or impose fines and fees as a means of discipline for the DUI. Some boards can require that you participate in an alcohol or drug rehab program as a condition for keeping or reinstating your professional license. Some boards will place you on probation. While you may be allowed to work during your period of probation, it will likely only be under supervision.

Can You Avoid These Penalties and Actions?

If you immediately hire a DUI attorney, your chances of avoiding the most serious DUI penalties increase exponentially. Your attorney will challenge evidence and negotiate for alternative sentencing like Probation Before Judgment (PBJ). It is important that you comply with all reporting requirements associated with your professional license.

While it can seem tempting to avoid telling the Board about your DUI conviction, it can make it even more difficult for you to keep your license once the Board finds out. Because of this, you should always do the following:

• Comply with your profession’s reporting requirements.
• Participate in a rehab program to show the licensing board you take the issues seriously.
• Negotiate with the licensing board.

Failure to comply with reporting requirements can damage your reputation, make it more difficult to regain your license, and be viewed as dishonest.

Contact a Baltimore County, MD DUI Lawyer

Do not wait after receiving a DUI. The quicker you hire a knowledgeable lawyer, the quicker he or she can begin investigating your charges and building a defense. Having a Towson, IL DUI attorney from Kirk Seaman, LLC can make all the difference.

Attorney Seaman is aggressive, trustworthy, and experienced. He has excellent relationships with judges and prosecutors in the area, which benefits your DUI case. Kirk Seaman, LLC has a long history and an excellent reputation. Call 410-837-6077 to schedule a free consultation.