Professionals in many different fields have to obtain a state license before they will be authorized to work. Physicians, morticians, architects and many other professionals have to secure and maintain a license to practice their professions in accordance with Texas law.
In cases where professionals do not conform to continuing education standards or where they violate professional protocol, their professional licenses could be at risk. State licensing agencies have the authority to discipline licensed professionals in a variety of circumstances.
Occasionally, people face discipline for matters that occur during their personal time, not while they are at work. Individuals accused of driving while intoxicated (DWI) offenses are at risk of incarceration and other penalties. In some cases, their professional license might also be at risk after a guilty plea or conviction.
Some professionals automatically lose eligibility
There is an entire category of licensed professionals who can lose their professional licenses immediately following a DWI conviction. Professionals with commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) become ineligible for a CDL for at least one year after an impaired driving conviction.
Those who operate school buses or semi-trucks may no longer be able to pursue their careers after a DWI conviction. They may be eligible again after a set amount of time, but a record of impaired driving might make it prohibitively difficult to obtain a new job offer.
Many professionals could face disciplinary efforts
It is standard practice for state licensing boards to look at criminal records when determining whether to grant a license initially or renew a license for a professional currently practicing a licensed profession. A DWI conviction can be grounds to deny a professional their license.
Many licensing boards specifically require that license holders report convictions. If the licensing authority discovers an unreported criminal conviction during a renewal, the failure to report the matter can endanger a professional license.
Even when reporting is not immediately necessary or when a professional makes the report as they should, they could still be at risk of professional discipline. They may have to attend a hearing in front of the state licensing board.
If the authority that issues their license believes that their DWI might raise questions about their professional capabilities and people’s ability to trust other professionals in the same sector, the disciplinary hearing might result in a revocation of their professional license.
For many professionals, fighting assertively to avoid a DWI conviction is the best option after an arrest. They may also want to bring in legal support for any disciplinary hearings they have to attend. The right assistance can reduce the risk of long-term career consequences for a single mistake or a wrongful DWI charge. Understanding what is at risk after a drunk driving arrest can help professionals in Bexar County and across Texas to assert themselves to protect their careers.