DWI=No license?

[eyeonprize]

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About 3.5 years ago, I made a stupid mistake and got pulled over for a DWI. It was really dumb and out of character, but I take full responsibility for my actions. Wanting to move on as fast as possible, I just plead guilty at the trial. Afterwords I took some classes on alcohol and driving and spent time talking to students about the dangers of drinking and driving.

During this past year, I applied to medical school and had a lot more success than I imagined. I fully disclosed the DWI to all schools on my primary application, with around half of my interviewers asking about it and the other half not. I decided that I already made one mistake, lying would only make it worse. Since that time I have been accepted and went through several background checks. As I prepare myself for starting medical school this fall, I am beginning to get very nervous. Although I have gotten into medical school with the DWI, I am very worried about obtaining my license in the future. Will this DWI prevent me from getting a license?

 

[jonb12997]

time to get yourself to a lawyer who knows about medical licensure... it'll cost you a couple hundred bucks, but in my opinion, well worth it before you think about spending $100k's on a medical school education.

 

[themule]

About 3.5 years ago, I made a stupid mistake and got pulled over for a DWI. It was really dumb and out of character, but I take full responsibility for my actions. Wanting to move on as fast as possible, I just plead guilty at the trial. Afterwords I took some classes on alcohol and driving and spent time talking to students about the dangers of drinking and driving.

During this past year, I applied to medical school and had a lot more success than I imagined. I fully disclosed the DWI to all schools on my primary application, with around half of my interviewers asking about it and the other half not. I decided that I already made one mistake, lying would only make it worse. Since that time I have been accepted and went through several background checks. As I prepare myself for starting medical school this fall, I am beginning to get very nervous. Although I have gotten into medical school with the DWI, I am very worried about obtaining my license in the future. Will this DWI prevent me from getting a license?

A lot of licensure questions depend on the individual state you are trying to obtain a license in. I think that a good litmus test is the background check that the individual schools go through. Not many schools will let you in with the thought that you won't be able to obtain a license. I would think that a DWI that was 7-8 years old at the time you apply for a license would be a moot point as long as you keep your nose clean. You can try to do a search of your state's "Revised Statutes" and try to find the qualifications for medical licensure. In my experience this a very low priority problem given the time since the infraction occurred. Good luck.

 

[cpants]

If you got accepted, you are pretty much clear for licensure issues. A school is not going to take someone whose status in any kind of serious doubt.

 

[njbmd]

A lot of licensure questions depend on the individual state you are trying to obtain a license in. I think that a good litmus test is the background check that the individual schools go through. Not many schools will let you in with the thought that you won't be able to obtain a license. I would think that a DWI that was 7-8 years old at the time you apply for a license would be a moot point as long as you keep your nose clean. You can try to do a search of your state's "Revised Statutes" and try to find the qualifications for medical licensure. In my experience this a very low priority problem given the time since the infraction occurred. Good luck.

This is a realistic answer but you need to consult an attorney in these matters.

If you got accepted, you are pretty much clear for licensure issues. A school is not going to take someone whose status in any kind of serious doubt.

This is not true. Graduation from medical school does not equal liscensure. I sit on the Board of Medicine for one state where you might have difficulty with this in the past.

 

[cpants]

This is not true. Graduation from medical school does not equal liscensure. I sit on the Board of Medicine for one state where you might have difficulty with this in the past.

Of course it doesn't, but the reason for pre-matriculation background checks is to screen for licensure obstacles. If the OP was up-front about the DWI, and the schools were aware of it through his information and the background check, there probably isn't really an issue there. If there was a problem on the horizon, the school would be counseling him on getting the issue resolved. Schools do NOT want to graduate students who can't get licensed.

To the OP, since you've already been honest with the school about this, make an appointment to speak to the dean of students and discuss your concerns. He should have a better idea of what problems you will face, or at least will be able to get you in touch with counseling on the issue. I wouldn't worry too much. A single DWI years in the past should not be a problem for getting licensed.

 

[eyeonprize]

Thanks for the advice everyone, I really do appreciate it. I will contact the dean of admissions once I decide on which school I am going to. I will also make sure that I talk to a lawyer before starting. Thanks again.

 

[MDman87]

During this past year, I applied to medical school and had a lot more success than I imagined

Don't really have an answer to your question. It just surprises me how inconsequential a DWI can be to admissions committees. I have a couple of friends who, like you, fully disclosed their DWI, and both were accepted to medical school. They also said they weren't asked about it during their interviews

 

[silas2642]

About 3.5 years ago, I made a stupid mistake and got pulled over for a DWI. It was really dumb and out of character, but I take full responsibility for my actions. Wanting to move on as fast as possible, I just plead guilty at the trial. Afterwords I took some classes on alcohol and driving and spent time talking to students about the dangers of drinking and driving.

During this past year, I applied to medical school and had a lot more success than I imagined. I fully disclosed the DWI to all schools on my primary application, with around half of my interviewers asking about it and the other half not. I decided that I already made one mistake, lying would only make it worse. Since that time I have been accepted and went through several background checks. As I prepare myself for starting medical school this fall, I am beginning to get very nervous. Although I have gotten into medical school with the DWI, I am very worried about obtaining my license in the future. Will this DWI prevent me from getting a license?

I'd be shocked if it did... but again, this is a lawyer question. I would think that as long as you come clean with it you'd be fine, assuming you don't show any more problems with substance abuse. It seems like big trouble happens when people don't disclose something on their licensing application and then the committe finds out about it.

 

[njbmd]

Of course it doesn't, but the reason for pre-matriculation background checks is to screen for licensure obstacles. If the OP was up-front about the DWI, and the schools were aware of it through his information and the background check, there probably isn't really an issue there. If there was a problem on the horizon, the school would be counseling him on getting the issue resolved. Schools do NOT want to graduate students who can't get licensed.

Not necessarily true as a medical school actually doesn't care once you have graduated and paid your money. They are only obligated to get you to graduation within a reasonable amount of time (six years max for LCME-accredited schools). It's graduation rate that affects the schools and not licensure or practice rate of said graduates. After graduation, you are essentially on your own. There is nothing binding upon the school to ensure that a graduate can obtain a license to practice.

The OP rather than listen to the opinions of people who are speculating, should consult a legal advisor who is experienced in these matters before spending money for a degree that may not be usable for actual medical practice.

 

[dilated]

The OP rather than listen to the opinions of people who are speculating, should consult a legal advisor who is experienced in these matters before spending money for a degree that may not be usable for actual medical practice.

Unless you're suggesting that a DUI somehow renders you unlicenseable in every state in the country, it doesn't seem very likely that one would have an "unusable" degree. Perhaps some states would decline to license him, but then he would need to investigate the states he wants to settle in, not whereever he's going to medical school.

 

[cpants]

Not necessarily true as a medical school actually doesn't care once you have graduated and paid your money. They are only obligated to get you to graduation within a reasonable amount of time (six years max for LCME-accredited schools). It's graduation rate that affects the schools and not licensure or practice rate of said graduates. After graduation, you are essentially on your own. There is nothing binding upon the school to ensure that a graduate can obtain a license to practice.

The OP rather than listen to the opinions of people who are speculating, should consult a legal advisor who is experienced in these matters before spending money for a degree that may not be usable for actual medical practice.

The school cares. The cost of a medical education is considerably more than the tuition paid by each student. The difference is made up by endowment, donations, grants, and state funding in various proportions depending on where you go. The school is making an investment on each student it educates, as the net money the student brings in is less than the money he takes out. In turn, the school wants graduates to someday give back money to the school, work for the school, bringing in research dollars, or in some other way to contribute to the school's success. In state schools there is the added goal of producing physicians to serve the state. Obviously a few students here and there won't make or break a school, but they certainly will not accept or educate any students who they know to be un-licenseable. They would be flushing their money down the toilet with no hope of any return on the investment.

While a lawyer isn't a bad idea for the OP. The first step would be to talk to an advisor at the school. They already know about the incident, and they will know or be able to find out how this will effect licensure.

 

[Bartelby]

Really? No license over a DUI?

Surely plenty of doctors get DUIs and are not stripped of their license. Is it harder to get the license in the first place than to maintain it?

 

[Regnvejr]

The school cares. The cost of a medical education is considerably more than the tuition paid by each student. The difference is made up by endowment, donations, grants, and state funding in various proportions depending on where you go. The school is making an investment on each student it educates, as the net money the student brings in is less than the money he takes out. In turn, the school wants graduates to someday give back money to the school, work for the school, bringing in research dollars, or in some other way to contribute to the school's success. In state schools there is the added goal of producing physicians to serve the state. ..

In our state school, tuition was relatively cheap, about 50K over 4 years, while we were told the state alone funded about 400K per student graduating.

So we all owe society big time for the privilege of becoming physicians.

With that, schools and society have a vested interest in those admitted becoming productive physicians. So in a state school at least, if you are admitted, you likely are licensable.

 

[Regnvejr]

Really? No license over a DUI?

Surely plenty of doctors get DUIs and are not stripped of their license. Is it harder to get the license in the first place than to maintain it?

Most states have programs for professionals with substance problems, bending over backwards to keep them practicing, be they physicians, nurses, attorneys or others with large educational investments.

 

[themule]

In our state school, tuition was relatively cheap, about 50K over 4 years, while we were told the state alone funded about 400K per student graduating.

So we all owe society big time for the privilege of becoming physicians.

With that, schools and society have a vested interest in those admitted becoming productive physicians. So in a state school at least, if you are admitted, you likely are licensable.

Wyoming doesn't have a state med school are you talking about WICHE and Colorado as the state school?

 

[Regnvejr]

Wyoming doesn't have a state med school are you talking about WICHE and Colorado as the state school?

South Dakota, actually. I just jumped states.

Wyoming is in the WWAMI out of Seattle.

 

[joshtb86]

this is unbeleivable. i got arrested for underage drinkiing, charges were dropped, but because it was a school cop i got in disciplinary trouble at the school and its on my transcript. and i got waitlist or rejected from 13 of the 15 schools i interviewed at and i too admitted it was a mistake and took responsibility and i dont even have anything on my record.

consider yourself lucky. you wont have an issue getting a licensure.

 

[Dirt]

this is unbeleivable. i got arrested for underage drinkiing, charges were dropped, but because it was a school cop i got in disciplinary trouble at the school and its on my transcript. and i got waitlist or rejected from 13 of the 15 schools i interviewed at and i too admitted it was a mistake and took responsibility and i dont even have anything on my record.

consider yourself lucky. you wont have an issue getting a licensure.

I am sorry to break it to you but I doubt that an underage drinking arrest (not even a charge) was your problem.

 

[Wants2give]

This is a realistic answer but you need to consult an attorney in these matters.



This is not true. Graduation from medical school does not equal liscensure. I sit on the Board of Medicine for one state where you might have difficulty with this in the past.

In one state we like to refer to as the garden state?
ambiguityfailedthistime

 

[itsallthesame]

i know someone in California who got a license with a dui and no other criminal issues.

 

[45408]

Really? No license over a DUI?

Surely plenty of doctors get DUIs and are not stripped of their license. Is it harder to get the license in the first place than to maintain it?

You'd hate to find out the hard way. Like someone else said, I'd consider some legal help.

this is unbeleivable. i got arrested for underage drinkiing, charges were dropped, but because it was a school cop i got in disciplinary trouble at the school and its on my transcript. and i got waitlist or rejected from 13 of the 15 schools i interviewed at and i too admitted it was a mistake and took responsibility and i dont even have anything on my record.

consider yourself lucky. you wont have an issue getting a licensure.

Like Dirt said, the underage drinking probably had little/nothing to do with your application's success this year. A simple underage drinking ticket is not really looked at very harshly.

 

[michaelrack]

. Although I have gotten into medical school with the DWI, I am very worried about obtaining my license in the future. Will this DWI prevent me from getting a license?

It won't prevent you from getting a medical license in most states. You will however have to fill out forms/provide statements about this every time you apply for a medical license. In many states, you will have to appear before the medical licensing board and grovel. In some states you will have to get a psychiatric eval.

 

[ChimpanzeeMinky]

It won't prevent you from getting a medical license in most states. You will however have to fill out forms/provide statements about this every time you apply for a medical license. In many states, you will have to appear before the medical licensing board and grovel. In some states you will have to get a psychiatric eval.

Can you give specific examples of states this happens in? You've seen this happen to fellow doctors? Does amount of time since the offense mitigate?

 

[ArkansasRanger]

About 3.5 years ago, I made a stupid mistake and got pulled over for a DWI. It was really dumb and out of character, but I take full responsibility for my actions. Wanting to move on as fast as possible, I just plead guilty at the trial. Afterwords I took some classes on alcohol and driving and spent time talking to students about the dangers of drinking and driving.

During this past year, I applied to medical school and had a lot more success than I imagined. I fully disclosed the DWI to all schools on my primary application, with around half of my interviewers asking about it and the other half not. I decided that I already made one mistake, lying would only make it worse. Since that time I have been accepted and went through several background checks. As I prepare myself for starting medical school this fall, I am beginning to get very nervous. Although I have gotten into medical school with the DWI, I am very worried about obtaining my license in the future. Will this DWI prevent me from getting a license?

Well, as often as doctors drink I know as a law enforcement officer that they frequently get DWIs. I don't think the medical licensing board penalizes them.

 

[joshtb86]

I am sorry to break it to you but I doubt that an underage drinking arrest (not even a charge) was your problem.

actually it was. i was told that from several admissions directors that i met with/spoke to and i also was told that by a member of the admissions committee on one of the schools i applied to. dont assume that they take it so lightly.

 

[ChimpanzeeMinky]

actually it was. i was told that from several admissions directors that i met with/spoke to and i also was told that by a member of the admissions committee on one of the schools i applied to. dont assume that they take it so lightly.

Why would so many schools that take it so seriously interview you only to later waitlist/reject you? Is it because they don't even notice these things when they're doing the interview screening? Very strange that they'd waste everyone's time, but I guess it's not beyond belief!

 

[joshtb86]

i wish i had an answer but unfortunately thats what happened. 2 accepts, like 10 waitlists, 3 rejects.

 

[cpants]

i wish i had an answer but unfortunately thats what happened. 2 accepts, like 10 waitlists, 3 rejects.

Uh, am I missing something? That's a successful cycle.

Maybe it was your attitude about the charge or the way you explained it that did you in a the other schools. Who cares? You got in.

 

[themule]

i wish i had an answer but unfortunately thats what happened. 2 accepts, like 10 waitlists, 3 rejects.

I know people that would kill to have 1 acceptance or 1 waitlist even. Get over yourself.

 

[DrGucciGal]

I have been told that in Michigan (where I am currently licensed) that if you are given a DWI then your license is revoked and you won't be able to get license in any other states.

As far as the Michigan license, I went to the Michigan Board of Medicine website and looked at the recent actions against practioners. I see plenty of names that say "suspended...criminal conviction-alcohol related." I am unsure of how it would prevent you from licensure in other states. Although, I did see some that stated, "sister state disciplinary action"...so maybe certain states will suspend or revoke based on other states...I dunno.

 

[cpants]

DWI is terrible, don't get me wrong, but I really don't think it makes sense to automatically suspend a physician's license for it. I just don't see why you are unqualified to practice medicine based on a DWI, especially a first offense.

 

[opheracco]

I'm glad I found this post. I'm non-trad pre-med doing very well in school, but I have 2 DUI's in my past. The first was about 13 years ago, the second about 7. They were both misdemeanors, the first I think was called a 'Wet Wreckless'.

I also have another thing about 15 years ago where I was making a U-turn on a blind hill and I think they gave me a wreckless charge, it was so long ago i don't even remember if they did convict me. I was just a kid.

Since my last DUI, I haven't had anything at all on my record, not even a speeding ticket.
I'm in MN, which is where I had my first one. The second was in FL.

Is there anyone here who has been in a similar situation and was accepted and licensed?

 

[NTF]

Moving to Pre-Allo.