Professionals can lose their licenses for a multitude of reasons. Sexual misconduct, drug and alcohol abuse, criminal convictions, and fraud are all common missteps that can result in an investigation by the licensing board in the state where the professional works — but what if the alleged conduct occurs in a different state? A different country? 

If you are a professional who is being investigated by your state licensing board for misconduct that happened out of state, you need an experienced attorney by your side. The Lento Law Firm's Professional License Defense Team is here to help you navigate this complex situation. Call us today at 888-535-3686 or fill out our online form. 

Out-of-State Misconduct Can Be a Problem 

Licensing bodies for most professions are run by state entities. By sheer geography, this means that the majority of investigations will tend to regard in-state misconduct. Still, professionals do encounter personal issues on work trips and vacations. What happens if, for example, a medical professional gets a DUI while driving on vacation? 

In general, state licensing boards do have the authority to investigate and take disciplinary action against someone for out-of-state misconduct. It should be noted that, in most cases, discipline won't be given from the foreign state (where the conduct occurred) but by the home state where the professional holds their license. 

Do You Have to Disclose Out-of-State Misconduct? 

While you might assume that out-of-state means out-of-mind, that would be a mistake. Most states require voluntary self-reporting for licensing infractions and criminal charges regardless of where they occur. By withholding that information, you are risking that the licensing board finds out through other means — and they will most likely not take kindly to that. You could very well find yourself in a worse situation than if you had just come forward. 

Are licensing boards really monitoring their licensees in other states? It may seem farfetched, but the truth is that some states do have quite significant monitoring practices. Obviously, they don't have the manpower to track your every move, but internet alerts may be set up for each licensee. If your name pops up in a criminal database or a national registry for a crime you've committed in another state, there could be someone from your home state alerted to the issue very quickly. 

The other possibility is that someone who you know — colleagues, clients, patients, etc. — becomes aware of your alleged offense and feels compelled to report it to the licensing board. While offenses that happen in another country may be harder for the board to monitor, this could be a way that information is brought to light. 

Retain an Experienced Legal Team 

It's impossible to know exactly how you should handle your case without knowing the full details. To give yourself the best shot at a positive outcome and possibly retain your license, contact the Professional License Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm as soon as the incident occurs. We can be reached by phone at 888-535-3686 or by submitting our online form.