Professional License Self-Reporting Requirements for DUI

Getting arrested, charged, or convicted of drinking and driving may jeopardize your professional license. But before you panic, it won’t always result in significant disciplinary action, such as a license suspension or revocation. That said, there’s likely some sort of self-reporting requirement that you must comply with, regardless of any disciplinary action you might face for the DUI.

Unfortunately, figuring out when and how to report can be confusing. This is why the moment you’ve been arrested, charged, or convicted of a crime, such as DUI, you must contact the Professional License Defense Team of the LLF National Law Firm. You can reach us either online or by calling 888-535-3686 to schedule a consultation.

Professional License Self-Reporting Requirements Vary

Figuring out the self-reporting timelines and requirements isn’t always straightforward. Every state will have its own requirements, including the method of reporting, how much time you have to report, and exactly what events trigger a report. Many of these requirements also vary based on the type of professional license you have.

For example, if you’re a social worker in Arizona, your duty to self-report a DUI only applies if you’ve been charged with a crime. After being charged, you have 10 working days to make this report to the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. But in North Carolina, social workers have 30 days to self-report, and this obligation applies following a conviction.

We can look at nurses as another example of how self-reporting requirements can differ. Kentucky nurses dealing with a DUI only need to report DUI convictions, not arrests. Kentucky nurses have up to 90 days to report this incident to the Kentucky Board of Nursing.

Contrast this with nurses in Nebraska, who have 30 days to make their self-report to the Nebraska Board of Nursing (which is part of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services). Yet Nebraska and Kentucky are the same in that DUI arrests don’t need to be reported, just convictions.

Then take Wisconsin, where its self-reporting laws can depend on the type of arrest or conviction. For instance, if the conviction involves a felony or misdemeanor, the licensed professional will have 48 hours to make the appropriate self-report.

However, this requirement doesn’t always apply to a first OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) offense, as those are typically not classified as a felony or misdemeanor. Even if a first OWI conviction doesn’t need to be self-reported within a certain amount of time, it may still need to be reported during the renewal of the professional license.

Consequences of Not Reporting

Not complying with the self-reporting requirement is problematic because not reporting can also lead to serious problems concerning your license. These might include problems that are even worse than what would come from the underlying unreported misconduct.

We Can Help Cut Through the Confusion

There are numerous differences in how each state’s professional licensing body handles DUI arrests, charges, and convictions. This is why it’s important to seek the assistance of the LLF National Law Firm’s Professional License Defense Team. We can help you understand your obligations and comply with your self-reporting requirements.

Once you know what needs to be done, our team can help you make your report in a way that best protects your profession and livelihood. Schedule a meeting to get started. You can use our online contact form or call us at 888-535-3686.