Imagine you are a 25-year old woman who has completed a degree program to become a massage therapist. You are excited to get your career underway, not just because you will be able to start earning a great living but because, quite simply, you have to. In order to earn your degree, you have had to incur thousands of dollars in student debt. But there’s a catch — the state you live in won’t let...
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As a doctor you help people during their most vulnerable times. The important and sensitive nature of your work means that at some point a patient, or their family member, may become upset with you. Their agitation may escalate to filing a formal complaint against you with the Texas Medical Board (TMB). The complaint may be baseless, or there may be extenuating circumstances. Whatever the reason is behind a complaint, it's a critical moment in...
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The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) regulates the real estate profession in Texas. It has jurisdiction over real estate sales agents, brokers, and real estate inspectors. TREC is the licensing entity that handles complaints lodged against real estate license holders. Anyone can lodge a complaint against a licensee, however, TREC cannot accept anonymous or unsigned complaints. The Commission investigates complaints made against the professionals it licenses for alleged violations of Texas law, The Real Estate...
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The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) is the regulatory agency for dentistry and has jurisdiction over licensed dentists, dental hygienist, registered dental assistants, and dental laboratories in the State of Texas. The TSBDE's mission is "to protect the public health and safety and promote high quality and safe dental care by providing enforcement, licensing, peer assistance, and related information services to licensees and their patients." All complaints submitted to the TSBDE are reviewed...
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The Texas Medical Board Rules include disciplinary sanction guidelines, designed to provide the TMB with guidance in assessing sanctions against licensees for violations of the Texas Medical Practice Act. 22 Tex. Admin. Code § 190.14. The sanction guidelines are "intended to promote consistent sanctions for similar violations, facilitate timely resolution of cases, and encourage settlements." Id. The purpose of enforcing sanctions is five-fold: protect the public, deter future violations, offer opportunities for rehabilitation, punish violators,...
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A professional license defense lawyer helps professionals protect their licenses when facing complaints, investigations, or other licensing issues. Professional License defense attorneys handle matters related to administrative law, licensure, grievance complaints, ethics concerns, and other important professional licensing issues. State Licensing Boards Administrative law is a complex and specialized area of law. It essentially encompasses laws that govern the administration and regulation of government agencies. Professional License defense lawyers practice heavily in Administrative Law because...
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If a complaint has been filed against you and your licensing board is now investigating you, you probably have many questions. Contact a Texas professional license defense attorney as soon as you are notified that a complaint has been lodged against you. An experienced license defense attorney can evaluate the case against you, help you understand what is going to happen and your options, and can defend you against accusations. Our attorneys at BERTOLINO LLP...
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The Texas Optometry Board is the state agency authorized to regulate the practice of optometry in Texas. The Board screens applicants for an optometry license, reviews eligibility for license renewal requests, sets fees, and investigates complaints against optometrists. Texas Optometry Board Action Plan In its strategic plan for fiscal years 2019 to 2023, the Board lays out Manage a quality program of examination and licensure. Enforce the Texas Optometry Act. Implement a strategy focused on...
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As an attorney, you know you must adhere to the ethical responsibilities of the profession. The Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct define lawyers' responsibilities and proper conduct to maintain the integrity of the profession. The Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure establish the procedures to be used in the professional disciplinary system for Texas attorneys. The Texas Rules of Professional Conduct define proper conduct for purposes of professional discipline. And upholding the rules requires an...
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The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) issues licenses, certificates, and permits to dozens of professions in Texas. Texas state law empowers the TDLR to investigate and resolve complaints received against licensees of the 40 programs it administers. The TDLR receives over 12,000 complaints every year. After complaint investigations are completed, TDLR prosecutors decide how the cases will be resolved. If the prosecutor determines that formal enforcement action is not warranted, then she will...
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