How Does a Criminal Conviction Affect a Professional Engineer License in Pennsylvania?

To become a Professional Engineer in Pennsylvania, you must complete a vast number of educational requirements, have extensive experience in your field of engineering, and take one of the most challenging licensing tests offered.  The Pennsylvania Board of Professional Engineers regulates the licensing and conduct of Professional Engineers in Pennsylvania.  Being a Professional Engineer is a very honorable, in demand, lucrative, and respected profession; it takes a high level of intelligence to be successful.  Therefore, since it is not easy to become a Professional Engineer, and it is a great profession, why risk your Professional Engineers License and hard work making a foolish mistake, such as a DUI conviction?  So: How Does a Criminal Conviction Affect a Professional Engineer License in Pennsylvania? 

At Shane Weaver Law, we understand the dire consequences of losing your Professional Engineers License, such as threatening your ability to work and provide for yourself and your family.  If you find yourself in danger of losing your Professional Engineers License through action by the Pennsylvania Board of Professional Engineers, you will need an experienced, trusted, and aggressive lawyer at your side to advocate on your behalf. Shane Weaver Law will provide you with that needed advocacy and legal defense.

Pennsylvania Professional Engineer Licensing

The Pennsylvania Board of Professional Engineers regulates the licensing of Professional Engineers through The Pennsylvania Professional Engineers Act of May 23, 1945, P.L. 913, No. 367.  The act applies to engineers such as: 

• Chemical Engineer
• Civil Engineer
• Electrical Engineer
• Environmental Engineer
• Mechanical Engineer
• Structural Engineer
• Industrial Engineer 

Pertaining to licensing and criminal convictions, the Professional Engineers Act requires that an applicant: 

Not been convicted of a felonious act prohibited under “The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act,” relating to drug use or sales; or convicted of a felony relating to a controlled substance in a court of law of the United States or any other state, territory or country unless: (i) at least ten years have elapsed from the date of conviction; and (ii) the applicant satisfactorily demonstrates successful rehabilitation. 

The Professional Engineers Act furthers states a Professional Engineers License can be suspended if a Professional Engineer is convicted of violating the “The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act”.

Pennsylvania Professional Engineer and DUI Conviction 

Per the language and requirements placed upon a Pennsylvania Professional Engineers License holder, a DUI conviction can have a devastating impact in terms of obtaining your Professional Engineers License and keeping it.  Pennsylvania Professional Engineers are required to be of “high moral character” and must disclose and can be suspended if convicted of a “crime of moral turpitude.”  Therefore, a DUI conviction must be disclosed to the Pennsylvania Board of Professional Engineers.  The Board reviews these matters on a case by case basis as the circumstances leading to the conviction can be for numerous reasons.  The Board is most concerned with the presence of an alcohol or substance abuse issue.  A DUI conviction before obtaining a Professional Engineers License must be disclosed and will undoubtedly make getting a Professional Engineers License more difficult and scrutinized.  An investigation by the Pennsylvania Board of Professional Engineers can result in probation, a suspension, or termination of your Pennsylvania Professional Engineers License. 

A DUI conviction, as well as other serious crimes, will cause the Pennsylvania Board of Professional Engineers to call into question your judgment, character, fitness, and ability to serve the public as a licensed Professional Engineer.  The Pennsylvania Board of Professional Engineers demands a high ethical and moral standard, given the serious nature of their work and expertise. 

You may be able to avoid putting your Professional Engineers License at risk if you hire an experienced DUI and Professional Engineers License Defense Attorney.  Shane Weaver Law can aggressively advocate for your entry into the ARD Diversion Program if the DUI is your first offense.  The ARD program will avoid a conviction and allow you to expunge the DUI arrest from your record.  The ARD program can act to prevent a Professional Engineers License suspension. 

Other Crimes in Pennsylvania

Any serious felony offense such as Murder, Arson, Kidnapping, Burglary, or Rape, will undoubtedly prevent you from obtaining or result in a loss of your Professional Engineers License.  As will any conviction for all levels of sexual offenses and offenses involving harm to children. Crimes for theft can also result in a license suspension.  These crimes call into question a person’s morals, ethics, character, and judgment.  The crimes also fall into the category of crimes of “MORAL TURPITUDE” requiring disclosure.

Alcohol and Substance Abuse

If accused or suspected of substance or alcohol abuse, your Professional Engineer job, and license is in jeopardy.  Substance and alcohol abuse issues are extremely concerning to the Pennsylvania Board of Professional Engineers for apparent reasons.  If abuse is suspected, you can face an investigation and hearing before the Pennsylvania Board of Professional Engineers.  The investigation can result in a requirement that you attend and complete drug and alcohol counseling, submitting to random drug screens, and having your position or license placed on probation, restrictions, or terminated and suspended.

All categories and levels of criminal charges are taken extremely seriously by the Pennsylvania Board of Professional Engineers.  If you are facing criminal charges of any kind, your ability to be a Professional Engineer in Pennsylvania is in jeopardy.  For the criminal case and hearings before the Pennsylvania Board of Professional Engineers, you must have competent and aggressive legal representation. Shane Weaver Law will provide the trusted, experienced, and zealous legal advocacy needed to protect your liberty and Professional Engineers License.