§ 2280 Impaired Medical Practice Prohibition

Business and Professions Code·California

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Key Takeaways

•Doctors cannot work if they are drunk or high on drugs.
•If a doctor is too drunk or high to do their job safely, they are breaking the law.
•Breaking this law is a crime and can get the doctor in trouble with the police.

Example

A doctor drinks a lot of beer before seeing patients.

If the doctor is so drunk that they can't safely treat patients, they are breaking the law. They could get arrested and lose their job.

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

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 2280 Impaired Medical Practice Prohibition

No licensee shall practice medicine while under the influence of any narcotic drug or alcohol to such an extent as to impair his or her ability to conduct the practice of medicine with safety to the public and his or her patients. Violation of this section constitutes unprofessional conduct and is a misdemeanor. (Added by Stats. 1993, Ch. 1267, Sec. 28. Effective January 1, 1994.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

licensee unprofessional conduct misdemeanor

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Business and Professions Code. Section 2280.

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Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References