Florida Professional Licenses and Criminal Charges: Who Must Report What, and When

A criminal charge can affect a professional license as much as the court case itself. Florida's licensing laws do not follow a single rule. Some require a report within hours of an arrest. Others start the clock only at a plea, a finding of guilt or a conviction. Many treat a no contest plea and a withhold of adjudication the same as a conviction. Former prosecutor Daniel D. Nawara defends licensed professionals facing criminal charges in Sarasota, Manatee and surrounding counties. This guide summarizes the main reporting rules and links to a detailed page for each profession.

Four different triggers

Before reading any reporting rule, identify which event starts the clock:

1. Arrest. Being taken into custody or issued a notice to appear. A few rules are triggered here.

2. Charge. The State Attorney's formal filing of an information or indictment. The Florida Bar's felony rule uses this trigger.

3. Plea or finding. A plea of guilty or nolo contendere, a finding of guilt, or a withhold of adjudication. Most licensing statutes use some version of this trigger, often with the words "regardless of adjudication."

4. Conviction or judgment. Some rules use "convicted" alone, but the definitions often reach pleas and withholds too.

See withhold of adjudication vs. conviction.

Reporting rules at a glance

Profession What triggers the report Deadline Report to Source Certified educators Arrest for an offense listed in s. 435.04(2) 48 hours after the arrest School district authority designated by the superintendent (or charter or lab school administrator) Fla. Admin. Code R. 6A-10.081(2)(c)13.a Certified educators Conviction, finding of guilt, withhold, pretrial diversion, guilty or no contest plea (any offense except minor traffic) 48 hours after final judgment or diversion Same R. 6A-10.081(2)(c)13.b Non-certified school employees and contractors Conviction of a disqualifying offense 48 hours Employer or contracting party s. 1012.465(2) Law enforcement and corrections officers Arrest or sustained allegation (agency's duty) Agency reports within 45 days after an allegation is sustained, or immediately on separation CJSTC (agency reports); officer follows agency policy s. 943.1395(5); R. 11B-27.003, 11B-27.0011(6) DOH healthcare licensees Conviction, finding of guilt or no contest plea, regardless of adjudication 30 days The profession's board, or DOH s. 456.072(1)(x) Physicians (MD, DO, chiropractic, podiatric) Profile update for guilty or no contest plea or finding of guilt, including withholds 15 days DOH practitioner profile ss. 456.039, 456.042 DBPR licensees (contractors, CPAs, real estate and others) Conviction, finding of guilt, guilty or no contest plea, regardless of adjudication 30 days The board, or DBPR s. 455.227(1)(t) Real estate licensees (additional rule) Guilty or no contest plea, conviction or finding of guilt for a felony 30 days Florida Real Estate Commission s. 475.25(1)(p) Security officers, PIs, Class G and other Ch. 493 licensees Arrest for any offense 3 calendar days Employer s. 493.6118(1)(z) CDL holders Conviction (incl. accepted no contest plea or paid fine) for a traffic control violation in any vehicle, except parking 30 days Employer 49 C.F.R. 383.31, 383.5 CDL holders License suspension, revocation, cancellation or CMV disqualification End of the next business day Employer 49 C.F.R. 383.33 Florida Bar members Felony charge (indictment or information filed) 10 days after filing Florida Bar executive director, with a copy of the charge R. Regulating Fla. Bar 3-7.2(c) Florida Bar members Determination or judgment of guilt for any criminal offense (includes withhold, guilty or no contest plea) 10 days after entry Florida Bar executive director R. Regulating Fla. Bar 3-7.2(a)(2), (e)

Detailed pages:

• Teachers and school employees

• Law enforcement and corrections officers

• Nurses, doctors and other healthcare licensees

• Real estate, contractors, CPAs and other DBPR licensees

• Security officers, private investigators and Class G licensees

• CDL holders

Florida Bar members: Rule 3-7.2

Florida lawyers have their own reporting rules in the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar.

• Felony charges, Rule 3-7.2(c). A member who is the subject of a felony criminal charge must notify the Bar's executive director within 10 days of the filing of the indictment or information, and include a copy of it. The rule also requires the assigned state attorney to send a copy if the state attorney knows the defendant is a Bar member.

• Any criminal offense, Rule 3-7.2(e). A member must provide a copy of any document entering a determination or judgment for any criminal offense to the executive director within 10 days of its entry.

• What counts, Rule 3-7.2(a)(2). A "determination of guilt" includes an order withholding adjudication, a guilty plea, a no contest plea, and a guilty verdict by a jury or judge.

• Felony consequences, Rule 3-7.2(f). When the Bar files a notice that a member has been determined or adjudged guilty of a felony, the member is suspended once the notice is filed with the Supreme Court of Florida and served.

Rule 4-8.4(b) of the Rules of Professional Conduct separately prohibits committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on a lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer.

Principles that apply across professions

• A no contest plea is rarely "nothing." Most of these rules expressly include nolo contendere pleas, often "regardless of adjudication."

• A withhold of adjudication is usually reportable. It avoids a formal conviction in criminal court, but many licensing rules treat it as a reportable outcome.

• Diversion depends on the rule and the program. The educator rule expressly covers entry into pretrial diversion. Other rules turn on whether a plea or finding of guilt was entered. Read the diversion agreement with your lawyer. See pretrial diversion.

• Dismissal may not end the licensing case. Some regulators, such as CJSTC for officers, can act on the underlying conduct "whether criminally prosecuted or not."

• Missing a deadline is its own violation. Under several of these laws, failing to report is a separate ground for discipline, apart from the offense.

• Sealing and expungement have exceptions. Section 943.059(4)(b) lists situations where a person cannot deny a sealed record. They include employment with a criminal justice agency, Florida Bar admission, DOH and education-related licensing or employment, and concealed weapon licensing. See sealing and expungement.

• Employer policies can be stricter. Hospitals, school districts, police agencies, carriers and security companies often have their own arrest-reporting rules.

How the criminal defense affects the license

Most licensing consequences depend on how the criminal case ends. That makes these questions central from the first day:

• Can the case be dismissed, or not filed at all?

• Is there a diversion option, and does it require a plea or admission?

• What offense, if any, will the plea be to? A felony or misdemeanor? A crime of dishonesty or not?

• Will adjudication be withheld, and does the withhold help under this particular licensing rule?

Common charges for licensed professionals include DUI, drug possession, domestic violence, battery, petit theft and grand theft.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to report an arrest to my licensing board?

It depends on the profession. Certified educators must report arrests for listed offenses within 48 hours. Chapter 493 licensees must tell their employer within 3 calendar days. Florida Bar members must report felony charges within 10 days of filing. Many DOH and DBPR rules start only at a plea, finding of guilt or conviction.

Is a no contest plea with a withhold a conviction?

In criminal court, a withhold means you are not adjudicated guilty. Many licensing rules still treat a no contest plea "regardless of adjudication" as reportable. Some definitions, such as the CDL rule, call it a conviction outright.

Should I report before my case is over?

Follow the deadline in your profession's rule. Some deadlines run from the arrest or charge, not the outcome. A lawyer can help you with the timing and wording.

Can a lawyer keep my case off my license record?

No lawyer can promise that. A defense lawyer can work toward resolutions that fit your licensing rules and help you meet reporting duties accurately.

Talk with a Sarasota criminal defense lawyer

Call (941) 920-5514 or request a free consultation. Daniel D. Nawara, a former prosecutor, defends the criminal case with your license in view. Board and agency proceedings are separate matters; ask about them at the consultation. See also felony defense, misdemeanor defense and fees.

Updated October 1, 2026. General information only, not legal advice. Reporting rules change and depend on the profession, the facts and your employer's policies. No outcome is guaranteed. Contacting the firm does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship.

Sources: Fla. Admin. Code R. 6A-10.081, R. 11B-27.0011, R. 11B-27.003; Fla. Stat. § 1012.465, § 943.1395, § 456.072, § 456.042, § 455.227, § 475.25, § 493.6118, § 943.059; 49 C.F.R. 383.31, 383.33, 383.5; Rules Regulating The Florida Bar (Rules 3-7.2, 4-8.4, June 30, 2026 edition).