Yes, you can. In California, a criminal charge can put your professional license at risk even before there is a conviction. Many professionals assume licensing trouble only begins after they are found guilty, but that is not always how it works. A licensing board may start looking into the underlying allegations, your reporting obligations, and whether the accusations raise concerns about public safety, honesty, judgment, or your fitness to practice.
This can affect a wide range of licensed professionals, including nurses, doctors, contractors, real estate agents, accountants, and other professionals whose careers depend on maintaining a valid license. In some cases, the criminal matter and the licensing matter move on separate tracks. That means even if the criminal case is still pending, your board may already be reviewing the situation.
The danger is not just the charge itself. A licensing issue can also grow out of how the matter is handled. Missing a disclosure requirement, making an inaccurate statement to the board, or treating the criminal case and licensing case like two unrelated problems can make things worse. For many professionals, the real fear is not just avoiding criminal penalties — it is protecting the career they spent years building.
That is why early legal strategy matters. If your professional license may be on the line, the goal is not only to defend the criminal allegation, but also to protect your livelihood, reputation, and future ability to work.