North Carolina’s medical professionals, therapists, contractors, and counselors are held to high standards of conduct, both on and off the job. For many professionals, workplace drug tests affect not only their employment but also their occupational license.
A positive drug test or a refusal to provide a sample can trigger consequences that extend far beyond your current role. What you do (or don’t do) in the aftermath of a drug testing issue can seriously impact the future of your career.
Employers may use drug testing to enforce policies or promote workplace safety. Licensing boards, on the other hand, are focused on public protection. When drug use or impairment is alleged, boards often view the issue through the lens of professional fitness and responsibility.
This means that a failed or refused drug test can lead to board-ordered disciplinary action that is attached to your license, not just your current job.
Drug testing can be required pre-employment as a condition of being hired, or during employment at the request of your employer.
Safety-sensitive professions and those that involve the handling of controlled substances often face particularly strict testing standards. Testing may be required at random to monitor compliance or in response to a workplace incident.
Even if your employer chooses not to take disciplinary action, licensing boards have the authority to open their own investigation.
Refusing a workplace drug test can have consequences similar to failing one.
Licensing boards frequently view refusal as evidence of impairment or unprofessional conduct. In some cases, a refusal alone may trigger mandatory reporting to the board.
Before refusing a test, it’s important to understand how that decision could affect both your job and your license.
A positive drug test does not necessarily mean you will lose your license, but it does create risk.
While an employer may choose to discipline or terminate you based on workplace policy, your licensing board will make its own independent evaluation.
Boards may consider:
In many cases, boards require evaluations, treatment, or monitoring agreements independent of an employer’s decision. These disciplinary actions can be public record, meaning that they are visible to future employers and clients.
Even when a drug is legally prescribed, licensing boards may still evaluate whether its use affects professional judgment or safety. If the board determines that a licensee’s medication interferes with their ability to perform the duties of their job, they may intervene.
Medical marijuana presents special challenges. Though limited medical use is permitted in North Carolina, marijuana remains illegal under federal law and is widely prohibited by employers and licensing boards.
A valid medical authorization doesn’t guarantee that a positive test won’t trigger board scrutiny. When in doubt, it’s wise to consult a professional license defense attorney before a drug testing issue arises.
A failed or refused drug test can impact your current role as well as your future employability.
Licensing boards move quickly, and early mistakes can limit your options. Statements made to employers, coworkers, or investigators may later be used in board proceedings. Early legal guidance can protect your ability to continue practicing your profession.
A professional license defense attorney can help you find the best path forward by:
Testing should follow proper chain-of-custody rules and utilize certified laboratories. Procedures should also include the opportunity to disclose any legal prescriptions that may affect your results. An experienced attorney can challenge procedural errors and help craft a defense strategy that limits long-term disciplinary outcomes.
A drug testing issue does not have to define your professional future. With the right approach and legal guidance, many licensed professionals are able to protect their licenses and continue their careers.
If your professional license is at risk due to a workplace drug test, Landon White Law can help you understand your rights and take the best next step.
Don’t hesitate to reach out for guidance that preserves your options and safeguards your rights.
