When does a Licensee Report a Criminal Charge to a North Carolina Professional License Board?
In North Carolina, whether you need to report a criminal charge to a professional licensing board depends on the specific requirements of the licensing board or occupational board and the nature of the criminal charge. In many cases, licensing boards require licensees to report any criminal charges or convictions within a certain timeframe, often within 10 or 30 days. In some cases, the criminal charge must be reported immediately after arrest. In other cases, the criminal charge does not have to be reported until there is a conviction. Occupational licensing boards such as the NC Board of Nursing, NC Licensing Board for General Contractors, and NC Board of Pharmacy have different requirements, and it is imperative to do a thorough review.
Failure to report a criminal charge or conviction to a licensing board when required to do so can have serious consequences, including disciplinary action against your license, fines, or even revocation of your license. The failure to report a criminal charge or conviction to the professional license board might be a more serious violation than the underlying criminal charge or conviction.
It is important to review the laws and regulations governing your profession and licensing board to determine your reporting obligations regarding criminal charges or convictions. Seeking guidance from a legal professional can provide clarity on what steps you need to take in your specific situation.
