Pennsylvania DUI Laws and your Professional License

First Five Things to Do
Top Ten DUI Mistakes

According to the United State Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupational licensing directly affects nearly 30 percent of U.S. workers. Pennsylvania is one of the most highly regulated professional service and professional occupational environments in all of America. There doesn’t seem to be an occupation that PA doesn’t like to regulate, tax and license. What that means is that for someone who has a professional license in PA, a DUI can spell disaster.

When selecting which attorney to hire, please consider:

  • Can you call anytime and talk to a live person?
  • Do they offer payment plans with no credit checks?
  • Will your attorney be attentive and explain what’s going on?

At The McShane Firm, we answer yes to all of these questions. We strive to provide you with a great customer service experience during this tough time.


The Pennsylvania Department of State Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs is ruthless and uncaring:

  • Some occupations and licensees are required to report any criminal or DUI charge.
  • Some do not require any reporting.
  • Others only require convictions to be reported.
doctor-DUI
Doctor DUI: We need you to keep your medical license to keep treating the sick.

Being accused of a DUI is a very stressful and nerve-wracking experience. There are so many questions that come along with a DUI arrest:

  • Are they going to try to take away my occupational or professional license?
  • Do I have to report the DUI charges to my employer?
  • Will I lose my driver’s license?
  • Will I go to jail?
  • How much will my fines be?
  • Will the arrest stay on my record?
  • AM I GOING TO LOSE MY JOB?
nurse-DUI
Nurse DUI: We need more nurses, not less. Let us fight for you.

Information on Pennsylvania DUI penalties

Here’s a simple list of some of the PA occupations and licenses that may be impacted by a DUI charge

Anyone who is licensed in PA can be looked up by anyone with an internet connection to see their disciplinary history: Search the PA Discipline history of occupational license holders in PA 

teacher-DUI
Teacher DUI: The world needs great teachers like you to teach our future. Let us fight for you.

Federally licensed occupations

  • FAA and pilots
  • Firearms, ammunition and explosives (Federal Firearms Licensee) and the BAFTE
  • Fish and wildlife industry through the US Fish and Wildlife Service
  • Commercial fisheries through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service
  • Maritime transportation through the Federal Maritime Commission
  • Mining and drilling through the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforrcement
  • Nuclear energy through the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission
  • Radio and Television through the FCC
  • Transportation and logistics through the US Department of Transportation and
  • Railroad occupations

When you hold a professional license, such as a Nurse, a Doctor, a Pilot, a Teacher, an Attorney, or if you serve in the military, a DUI can mean not only the criminal penalties that come along with a conviction. The professional consequences can be much worse.

military-DUI
Military DUI: You fought for us. Let us fight for you.

US Military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard) and Pennsylvania DUI

This is a big deal. It doesn’t matter what your rate or rank is. As you can read in this story (How a DUI forever changed a local soldier’s career), a DUI can ruin your military career. It can prevent you from deploying. It can lead to your involuntary separation or dishonorable discharge, if you don’t act fast.

As a service member, you have two things to worry about: civilian consequences and military punishment.

army-DUI
Military DUI: If you are active duty, we will give you a discount, if you request it.

A DUI conviction or convictions will also limit your future application for several businesses or occupations in PA for example:

What is The McShane Difference?

  • We take time to understand your personal needs and goals. Then we cater our legal strategy to fit you.
  • We care about you. We listen and return phone calls. We will take time to explain things so you are not left anxious in the dark.
  • We will make this as easy as possible. We will try to minimize the number of times you have to be in court which means less disruption of your work and family life.

Does this sound like what you are looking for in an attorney? If yes, then take the next step and call (717) 657-3900.

Conclusion

If you hold a professional license, a DUI can have long lasting consequences on your career and your future. Even if you are a first time offender, you cannot mess around with this. A conviction and sometimes even entry into the ARD program can result in a suspension or revocation of your professional license. So, not only do you have to deal with the criminal consequences, but you may risk losing your job, your livelihood and your career.

For many license holders, you are required to report your conviction to the licensing board, In many cases, a hearing or review of your license will be conducted. If you are a medical doctor, a hearing is held to determine your character and fitness to practice medicine. If you are an attorney, failure to disclose a conviction can result in disbarment. You will no longer be able to practice law. Nurses, Pilots, Dentists, School Teachers, and all professional license holders have similar requirements and face similar consequences. But before you report a DUI charge, consult with us first. There are many things we can do together to get you prepared. There’s lots we can do to reduce the consequences.

The solution

When your job is on the line, you must have an attorney who is educated and well versed in the area of DUI law with an acute understanding of how this DUI will affect your professional license. Your future livelihood is on the line. You need an attorney who will fight for you and save your job so you can continue to provide for yourself and your family and the community.

You need The McShane Firm. With our years of advanced training, knowledge and experience, we are the right attorneys for the job. We are here to fight for you to save your future. Call (717) 657-3900 right now. We can help.

Our Clients are entitled to a Bill of Rights which states:

  • Our clients have the right to expect, we will be proactive in communication. You will hear it from us first. We will return all phone calls, texts and emails promptly.
  • Our clients have the right to expect plain speaking, straight shooting. No B. S.
  • Our clients have the right to expect us to do it right the first time, every time.
  • Our clients have the right to expect us to be on time and professionally prepared for all court appearances, and all meetings.
  • Our clients have the right to expect that they will be fully informed at all times.

This is our promise to you. Call today to get us on your side: (717) 657-3900.

Search the National Inventory of Collateral Consequences of Conviction

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