Imagine this: you’re a nurse in Raleigh. You’ve worked hard for years, passed your exams, and built a solid career. Then, one night, you get pulled over and charged with DWI. You’re worried about court, of course, but what about your nursing license? Could this charge threaten everything you’ve worked for?
If you hold a professional license in North Carolina, the consequences of a criminal charge can reach far beyond the courtroom. Even if you’re never convicted, licensing boards often have their own review processes. In some cases, they may suspend, restrict, or even revoke your license simply because of the charge.
Many professionals are surprised to learn that the legal system and licensing boards don’t always operate on the same timeline (or by the same rules). That’s why it’s so important to understand how a criminal charge can affect your career, and what steps you can take to protect it.
Why Criminal Charges Affect More Than Just Your Freedom
When you’re facing criminal charges, your first thoughts are probably about court dates, possible fines, or even jail time. For licensed professionals in North Carolina, the consequences of crime don’t stop there. Your career could be in just as much jeopardy as your legal standing.
What many people don’t realize is that licensing boards operate independently from the criminal justice system. These boards are focused on public trust, professional ethics, and your ability to do the job safely and responsibly, not just whether you’re found guilty in court.
Some charges, like fraud, theft, assault, or drug-related offenses, may raise red flags for boards that oversee healthcare, education, finance, or skilled trades. Even a first-time offense can trigger disciplinary action, especially if the board believes the behavior is relevant to your profession.
The bottom line? A criminal charge can affect more than just your immediate legal future. It can put your livelihood and reputation at risk.
Who Is at Risk? Commonly Affected Professions in North Carolina
In North Carolina, a wide range of occupations require a state-issued professional license.
While the exact consequences of crime vary depending on your profession and the type of offense, many licensing boards take criminal charges seriously. Some have strict reporting requirements, and others may launch investigations as soon as they’re notified of an arrest.
Here are just a few professions where a criminal charge can trigger license review or disciplinary action:
- Nurses and other healthcare professionals (regulated by the NC Board of Nursing and the NC Medical Board)
- Teachers and school employees (regulated by the NC Department of Public Instruction)
- Real estate agents and brokers (regulated by the NC Real Estate Commission)
- Licensed contractors and tradespeople (regulated by the NC Licensing Board for General Contractors)
- Attorneys (regulated by the NC State Bar)
- Insurance agents (regulated by the NC Department of Insurance)
- Mental health professionals and therapists
- Barbers, cosmetologists, and other service professionals
If you hold a professional license in any of these fields, a single criminal charge could lead to temporary suspension, mandatory reporting, or even permanent loss of your ability to work. In some cases, the board may take action before your case is resolved in court.
That’s why it’s essential to understand the rules of your licensing board and respond quickly if you’re charged with a crime.
How Licensing Boards Handle Criminal Charges
Licensing boards in North Carolina don’t just wait for the outcome of your court case. In many situations, they start their own review process the moment they’re notified of an arrest or charge. Their role is to protect the public and maintain trust in the profession, which means they often hold license holders to a higher standard than the legal system alone.
Boards review more than just the charge itself. They look at your overall character, past conduct, and whether the alleged behavior is relevant to your work. This is known in North Carolina as the “directly related” test, part of state law under G.S. 93B-8.1. If the board believes the incident raises concerns about your ability to perform your job safely or ethically, they may take action, even if you haven’t been convicted.
Here’s what that process can involve:
- Formal review of your criminal charges
- Request for a written explanation or documentation
- A hearing before the board
- Possible license probation, suspension, or revocation
- Monitoring or continuing education requirements
Some boards have strict rules about specific offenses, while others consider each case individually. In either case, the consequences of crime can go well beyond the courtroom and directly affect your professional license.
Do I Have to Report a Charge to My Licensing Board?
In many cases, yes. Most licensing boards in North Carolina require you to report certain criminal charges within a specific timeframe. That timeline can be as short as 30 days. Failing to report can sometimes lead to disciplinary action, even if the board never takes issue with the charge itself.
For example, the North Carolina Board of Nursing requires nurses to report any misdemeanor or felony charge (other than minor traffic violations) within 30 days of the incident. Other boards, like the Real Estate Commission or the Department of Insurance, have similar requirements.
Here’s why this matters: choosing not to report (or simply forgetting) can be viewed as dishonest or unprofessional. That alone may trigger a board investigation or impact your standing, regardless of the original charge. In other words, the consequences of crime can be made worse if you don’t follow the rules set by your licensing board.
To avoid unintentional violations:
- Check your licensing board’s website for current reporting guidelines
- Document any communication you send to the board
- Consult an attorney before submitting a written explanation
What About Charges That Get Dismissed or Expunged?
Many professionals assume that if their charges are dismissed or later expunged, they’re in the clear. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case when it comes to keeping a professional license in North Carolina.
Licensing boards often have the authority to consider the conduct behind the charge, even if it didn’t lead to a conviction. In their view, the focus isn’t just on guilt or innocence but on whether your behavior raises concerns about your ability to serve the public safely and ethically.
Here’s what that can mean in practice:
- Dismissed charges may still be reviewed by the board, especially if they involve violence, dishonesty, or drug use.
- Expunged records may help when applying for new jobs or housing, but they don’t always erase the matter from a board’s memory, particularly if the board already investigated it.
- Voluntary disclosures to the board, even after a dismissal, can be required depending on your profession.
This can feel frustrating and unfair, especially if you’ve worked hard to clear your name. It highlights why the consequences of crime reach beyond the courtroom and why a proactive legal strategy is so important.
What to Do If You’ve Been Charged
Facing a criminal charge is never easy, especially when your career is on the line. That’s why the steps you take right after an arrest can make a big difference in protecting your future and your professional license.
Here’s what you should do:
- Don’t panic (but don’t wait). Acting quickly gives you more control over the outcome.
- Check your board’s reporting requirements. Every licensing board is different. Some require notification within days. Others may need specific forms or documentation.
- Keep records of everything. Save copies of court paperwork, emails with your board, and anything else related to your case.
- Hire a criminal defense attorney who understands how criminal charges interact with licensing rules. Not all lawyers focus on this overlap
A professional license is something you’ve worked hard for, and it deserves just as much attention and protection as your court case.
When Your Career Is on the Line, Don’t Face It Alone
The consequences of crime don’t end with a court date. For professionals across North Carolina, a single charge can create ripple effects that threaten your license, your reputation, and the career you’ve worked hard to build.
Whether you’re a nurse, teacher, contractor, or licensed in any other field, understanding how a criminal charge may impact your professional license is the first step. The next step is taking action, with the right legal support in your corner.
At Kurtz & Blum, we’ve helped many professionals navigate the legal system while also protecting what matters most: their ability to keep working and move forward. We know how North Carolina licensing boards operate, and we’re here to guide you through the process with clarity and care.
If you’ve been charged with a crime and you’re worried about your license, don’t wait. We’ll start with a confidential consultation and help you take the right steps: for your case, your license, and your career.
