⚠️ DUI & Your Medical License in Florida: What Healthcare Professionals Must Know
A DUI conviction can do more than result in fines or jail—it can threaten your professional license and career. In Florida, healthcare professionals are subject to strict reporting rules and disciplinary consequences if convicted of DUI.
Whether you’re a doctor, nurse, therapist, pharmacist, or other licensed provider, it’s crucial to understand what happens next—and how to protect yourself.
📋 What Is Professional Impairment?
Professional impairment refers to any condition that affects your ability to safely perform your duties. While DUI often implies alcohol or drug use, impairment may also involve:
- Substance abuse
- Mood disorders
- Mental health conditions
- Cognitive or physical limitations
If impairment is suspected, employers and colleagues are required to report it. Early intervention can help prevent formal license action—but a DUI arrest or conviction can trigger an investigation automatically.
Arrested for DUI in Fort Lauderdale or Anywhere in South Florida?
🛑 DUI Reporting Requirements in Florida
Florida law requires licensed medical professionals to report DUI convictions to their licensing board within 15 to 30 days.
- Fla. Stat. § 456.072(1)(x) requires most licensees to report within 30 days
- Fla. Stat. § 456.042 also requires an update to your professional profile within 15 days of a “final activity” (such as a conviction)
Failing to report a DUI can result in additional penalties, including license suspension or emergency action.
👨⚕️ Doctors
Doctors must report DUI convictions to the Florida Board of Medicine—often within 15 to 30 days, depending on their license type.
Potential consequences:
- Emergency Suspension Order (ESO)
- Investigation by the Department of Health
- License probation, random testing, or PRN referral
- Suspension or revocation in severe or repeat cases
✅ PRN Referral: The Professional Resource Network may evaluate doctors for substance abuse and coordinate treatment and monitoring.
🦷 Dentists
The Florida Board of Dentistry requires DUI reporting within 30 days. Dentists must submit:
- Certified court documents
- Disciplinary records (probation, DUI school, etc.)
- A detailed personal letter explaining the circumstances and steps taken toward rehabilitation
Like doctors, dentists may also be referred to PRN for further evaluation and monitoring.
🧑⚕️ Nurses
Florida nurses must report DUIs to the Board of Nursing within 30 days. An arrest may trigger:
- An investigation or ESO
- Mandatory IPN referral (Impaired Nurses Program)
- Drug or alcohol evaluation
- Random testing, probation, or treatment requirements
While a first-time DUI may result in lesser penalties, repeat offenses can jeopardize your nursing license.
🧠 Therapists
Therapists must report DUI convictions to the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling.
Penalties may include:
- Minimum $1,000 fine and up to permanent revocation
- 1-year suspension after a second DUI
- 2-year suspension after a third conviction
Therapists may also be required to enroll in PRN for evaluation and substance abuse monitoring.
🛡️ How a Florida License Defense Lawyer Can Help
At Michael White, P.A., we help licensed professionals throughout Fort Lauderdale, South Florida, and the Treasure Coast protect their credentials and their careers after a DUI arrest.
We provide:
- 🎯 Criminal defense and license protection under one roof
- 📑 Help with reporting requirements and Board documentation
- 🧠 Guidance on PRN/IPN evaluation and compliance
- 🔍 Strategic defense against license suspension or revocation
📞 Call (954) 270-0769 or contact us online for a free consultation to defend your professional license and protect your future.
🛡️ How a Florida License Defense Lawyer Can Help
Q1: Do I have to report a DUI conviction to my licensing board in Florida?
A: Yes. Most healthcare professionals are required to report a DUI conviction to their licensing board within 15 to 30 days, depending on the license type and statute.
Q2: Can I lose my professional license in Florida after a DUI?
A: Yes. While first-time DUI convictions may result in lesser penalties, boards can impose license probation, suspension, random drug testing, or even revocation—especially for repeat offenses.
Q3: What is the PRN or IPN program, and how does it relate to a DUI?
A: PRN (for most medical professionals) and IPN (for nurses) are part of Florida’s Impaired Practitioner Program. After a DUI, you may be referred for evaluation, treatment, and monitoring if substance abuse is suspected.
Q4: Will a DUI trigger an Emergency Suspension Order (ESO)?
A: It can. If your licensing board or the Florida Department of Health believes your impairment poses a risk to patients, they may issue an ESO while they investigate.
Q5: Can a lawyer help protect my license after a DUI arrest in Florida?
A: Absolutely. A license defense attorney can help you report correctly, comply with board requirements, and defend against unfair or excessive disciplinary action.
