Things you need to know if your professional license is at risk
You worked hard to earn your professional license in Texas. Whether you’re a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, CPA, lawyer, engineer, teacher, or other licensed professionals in Texas, we know that you dedicated your education to earning your license―we know that you’ve dedicated your career to the patients, people, and students you serve.
If you then receive notice that a complaint has been filed against you with your licensing board, it can send you reeling. Our firm is here to steady you, provide answers to your questions, help guide you through the compliant process, and defend you from the allegations made against you.
To begin, the following are 4 Things To Consider When Facing A Licensing Board Investigation:
- Acknowledge the significance of the board’s investigation.
You may feel the allegations made against you are meritless. You may think the investigation won’t go anywhere because you didn’t do anything wrong. Or you may feel overwhelmed and not want to deal with the investigation at all.
Regardless of your feelings or opinions about the investigation, it is important to acknowledge that a licensing board investigation is serious. The outcome of the investigation could seriously damage your career. Texas licensing boards and state agencies have the power to take a number of disciplinary actions, including license revocation, suspension, probation, and imposing fines.
Take the complaint seriously from the start by ensuring your initial responses are timely, thorough, and set the stage for your defense. A professional license defense attorney should be able to help you craft initial responses to the investigation that conveys your side of the events without risking an admission of guilt. In some cases, well-crafted first responses have the power to get the allegations dismissed from the start.
- Responding to allegations made against you without the assistance of an attorney can be detrimental to your defense.
Any information you provide, written or verbal, can be used as evidence against you. Information you provide can be misconstrued or taken out of context. Statements you make can be held against you as an admission of guilt.
It is in your best interest to have an experienced license defense attorney represent you throughout the complaint process, and during any communication you have with the licensing board.
- Recognize that the licensing board is not on your side.
The licensing board’s mission is to protect the public, not your interests.
At every stage of the investigation and enforcement process it is important to remember that your licensing board is not your friend, they are not on your side, and they are not going to help you.
- Properly manage your emotions when dealing with the licensing board.
We understand you may be angry, hurt, scared, or completely overwhelmed. We encourage you to talk openly with your attorney about everything you’re feeling. It is important to address your anger or fears. Though, it is important to address those emotions privately – away from the licensing board and away from anyone who may be called as a witness against you.
Whether you are sitting before the board for an information settlement conference, appearing at a formal proceeding at the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH), or drafting written responses, keep your emotions in check. When dealing with the licensing board stick to the facts and your well-designed defense.
Are You Facing A Licensing Board Investigation?
BERTOLINO LLP represents licensed professionals across the entire State of Texas. If you are facing disciplinary action from a professional licensing board, contact us today or call (512) 476-5757 and schedule a case evaluation.
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