What Should You Do If You’re Contacted by a State Licensing Board Investigator?
I'm Frances Cullen. What should you do if you're contacted by the State Licensing Board investigator? You must take these issues seriously and act quickly should you become aware of the potential investigation by a licensing authority. Most cases follow stages that begin with a complaint, followed by an investigation, and then board review. Comment complaints may be filed by colleagues, by employees, by former employees, by patients or even a competitor. Licensing board complaints in the State of Georgia are confidential by law so you will not necessarily know who filed the complaint or what was said. Seek help early in the process so you don't make any missteps.
Contrary to statements that may be made by a board investigator, the board investigator is not your friend and he's not just asking you for a simple statement. The investigator is looking into whether the complaint against you is valid and trying to determine whether the board should proceed with charges against you. Those statements will be used in your board case. Similarly, you should never attend a licensing board interview without legal counsel. While a licensing board letter may characterize a meeting as informal, your statements at any interview can and will be used against you. It is important at the beginning of an investigation to present yourself in the best position possible. You must keep in mind that your career rest on your professional license and you must early on address issues as well as you can possibly to do deter board action. Your license is your livelihood, you must do your best to protect your ability to practice.
At Levy Pruett Cullen, we're familiar with these issues, we work hard to protect your license and your livelihood, and we bring years of experience and knowledge to guide you through the licensing board investigative process to reach the best possible outcome.