And once people get their real estate license, they are required to notify Nevada’s Real Estate Division of the Department of Business and Industry when they get convicted of certain offenses. But these offenses do not include DUIs.
Even though DUI convictions do not threaten a Nevada real estate agent’s occupational license, the agent is still advised to hire an attorney to try to get the DUI charges reduced to reckless driving or dismissed.
DUIs look bad on background checks, and potential employers may pass job applicants over for jobs if they have past drunk driving incidents. And current employers may have an internal policy of firing employees who pick up a DUI.
Furthermore, people arrested for just a first-time DUI face a driver’s license revocation of 185 days. This can greatly impede a real estate agent’s livelihood since a large part of the job involves driving between different properties. (See our article about getting a restricted driver’s license in Nevada.)
Getting a DUI should not jeopardize a real estate agent’s occupational license, but it could turn off potential employers.
Real estate agents who have already been convicted of misdemeanor DUI convictions are encouraged to try to get their Nevada criminal record sealed. Misdemeanor DUIs (which usually comprise first-time DUIs and second-time DUIs) may be sealed seven (7) years after the case closes. Unfortunately, Nevada felony DUI convictions may never be sealed.
Additional resources
For help or more information, refer to the following:
- 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
- Addiction Among Real Estate Agents: How Common Is It? – Detox Rehabs.
- Do Real Estate Agents Get Drug Tested? – Spaciality Blog.
- Substance Abuse in the Real Estate Industry | Episode 80 – Podcast by Kormans LLP.
- Managing Mental Health as an Agent – Minnesota Realtors.
Legal References:
NRS 645.350 Application: Form and contents.
2. Every application for a real estate broker’s, broker-salesperson’s or salesperson’s license must set forth the following information:
… (f) Whether the applicant has ever been convicted of or is under indictment for a felony or has entered a plea of guilty, guilty but mentally ill or nolo contendere to a charge of felony and, if so, the nature of the felony.
NRS 645.615 Duty to report certain convictions and pleas to Division.
1. A licensee, property manager or owner-developer shall notify the Division in writing if he or she is convicted of, or enters a plea of guilty, guilty but mentally ill or nolo contendere to:
(a) A felony relating to the practice of the licensee, property manager or owner-developer; or
(b) Any crime involving fraud, deceit, misrepresentation or moral turpitude.
2. A licensee, property manager or owner-developer shall submit the notification required by subsection 1:
(a) Not more than 10 days after the conviction or entry of the plea of guilty, guilty but mentally ill or nolo contendere; and
(b) When submitting an application to renew a license, permit or registration issued pursuant to this chapter.
