Georgia Nursing Licenses and Mandatory Reporting of DUI Charges

By Ben Sessions on August 22nd, 2015 in DUI / DWI

Our Georgia DUI defense attorneys have successfully defended numerous different types of professionals facing DUI charges. We have defended doctors, nurses, lawyers, pilots, and others. However, pilot and nursing license appear to be the most sensitive to DUI charges.

Ultimately, the effect of a DUI charge or conviction upon a nurse’s license is determined by the Georgia Board of Nursing and a nurse’s employer.

However, in 2003, the Georgia legislature enacted a statute addressing the mandatory reporting requirements for substance abuse issues involving nurses.

MANDATORY REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR DUI-RELATED OCCURRENCES INVOLVING GEORGIA NURSES

O.C.G.A. § 43-26-53 states, in relevant part, that:

(a) The following incidents shall be reported to the board in the event any person is:

(7) While holding a license as a nurse, convicted of any felony, crime involving moral turpitude, or crime violating a federal or state law relating to controlled substances or dangerous drugs in the courts of this state, any other state, territory, or country, or in the courts of the United States, including, but not limited to, a plea of nolo contendere entered to the charge; or

(8) While holding a license as a nurse, currently or previously displaying an inability to practice nursing as a registered professional nurse, an advanced practice registered nurse, a licensed undergraduate nurse, or a licensed practical nurse with reasonable skill and safety due to use of alcohol, drugs, narcotics, or chemicals.