By Marc Emden, Esq.

Did you know that if you are charged with a crime, the outcome of your case may have a direct bearing on your ability to practice your profession, if your profession requires that you possess a professional license in Maryland?

Overseeing licensing boards, commissions, and programs appointed by the Governor, the Maryland Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing is responsible for regulating the activities of more than 236,000 individuals and businesses across 24 professions:

• Architects
• Barbers
• Certified Interior Designers
• Cosmetologists
• Foresters
• Home Improvement
• Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Contractors
• Landscape Architects
• Land Surveyors
• Master Electricians
• Pilots
• Plumbing
• Professional Engineers
• Public Accountancy
• Real Estate Appraisers, Appraisal Management Companies and Home Inspectors
• Real Estate Commission
• Secondhand Precious Metal Objects Dealers and Pawnbrokers
• Stationary Engineers
• Athlete Agents
• Athletic Commission
• Cemetery Oversight
• Elevator Safety Review Board
• Income Tax Preparers
• Locksmiths

The Division has the right to investigate one’s fitness to practice in a licensed occupation and may review the criminal conviction in this or any other state to determine whether it bears on your fitness to practice in the licensed occupation in Maryland.

If you are one of these licensed professionals and if you are charged with a crime, we at Emden Law can help you protect and preserve your professional license. We have worked with many licensed professionals and undertake heightened efforts to exonerate you should your professional license be at stake. We also work with other criminal defense attorneys who can assist you in defending your license, if necessary.