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HomeBusiness and Professions CodeDiv. 2Ch. 4Art. 4§ 1681 Professional Substance Use Prohibitions

§ 1681 Professional Substance Use Prohibitions

Business and Professions Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 1681 Professional Substance Use Prohibitions

Key Takeaways

  • •If you have a special license (like a doctor or nurse), you can't take drugs or medicine unless a doctor says you can.
  • •You can't drink alcohol or take drugs if it makes you unsafe at your job or hurts others.
  • •If you break drug or alcohol laws and it's related to your job, you can lose your license.

Example

A nurse takes painkillers that weren't prescribed to her while working at a hospital.

This is against the rules because she is using drugs without a doctor's okay, and it could make her unsafe at her job. She could lose her nursing license.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 1681 Professional Substance Use Prohibitions

In addition to other acts constituting unprofessional conduct within the meaning of this chapter, it is unprofessional conduct for a person licensed under this chapter to do any of the following: (a) Obtain or possess in violation of law, or except as directed by a licensed physician and surgeon, dentist, or podiatrist, administer to himself, any controlled substance, as defined in Division 10 (commencing with Section 11000) of the Health and Safety Code, or any dangerous drug as defined in Article 8 (commencing with Section 4211) of Chapter 9. (b) Use any controlled substance, as defined in Division 10 (commencing with Section 11000) of the Health and Safety Code, or any dangerous drug as defined in Article 8 (commencing with Section 4211) of Chapter 9, or alcoholic beverages or other intoxicating substances, to an extent or in a manner dangerous or injurious to himself, to any person, or the public to the extent that such use impairs his ability to conduct with safety to the public the practice authorized by his license. (c) The conviction of a charge of violating any federal statute or rules, or any statute or rule of this state, regulating controlled substances, as defined in Division 10 (commencing with Section 11000) of the Health and Safety Code, or any dangerous drug, as defined in Article 8 (commencing with Section 4211) of Chapter 9, or the conviction of more than one misdemeanor, or any felony, involving the use or consumption of alcohol or drugs, if the conviction is substantially related to the practice authorized by his license. The record of conviction or certified copy thereof, certified by the clerk of the court or by the judge in whose court the conviction is had, shall be conclusive evidence of a violation of this section; a plea or verdict of guilty or a conviction following a plea of nolo contendere is deemed to be a conviction within the meaning of this section; the board may order the license suspended or revoked, or may decline to issue a license, when the time for appeal has elapsed or the judgment of conviction has been affirmed on appeal, or when an order granting probation is made suspending imposition of sentence, irrespective of a subsequent order under any provision of the Penal Code, including, but not limited to, Section 1203.4 of the Penal Code, allowing such person to withdraw his plea of guilty and to enter a plea of not guilty, or setting aside the verdict of guilty, or dismissing the accusation, information or indictment. (Added by Stats. 1979, Ch. 1007.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

unprofessional conductcontrolled substancedangerous drugconvictionlicense suspension or revocation

Related Statutes

  • § 1670 License Discipline Procedures
  • § 1670.1 Dental License Discipline Rules
  • § 1683 Dental Record Identification Requirements
  • § 1683.1 Telehealth Dentist Identification
  • § 1684 Scope Of Dental Practice

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Business and Professions Code. Section 1681.
View Official Source