Did you know that facing a licensing issue alone could have serious effects on your professional career? In 2023, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics shared that 71.9% of the 10,099 healthcare professionals hold a license.
A professional license defense lawyer from Boesen & Snow says that there is an independent regulatory board that governs every licensed healthcare professional and business. It aims to protect the communities’ health, safety, and welfare through the licensing of individuals to make sure they are suitable to practice and liable for their conduct.
It can be overwhelming to receive initial notices of investigations from the Regulatory Board, but knowing what to do to defend your career is going to help you deal with the situation appropriately. Here’s when you need to hire a license defense lawyer:
Initial Notice of Investigation
If you get a notice about an investigation into your professional license, it is important to reach out for legal help right away. Consulting with a license defense lawyer can help you understand your rights, handle the challenges of the investigation, and safeguard your professional reputation.
Once you get the notice, you’ll need to collect all the important documents and information connected to the investigation. Your lawyer can help you go through these materials to create a thoughtful response that addresses any concerns brought up by the investigation.
Remember, receiving an initial notice of investigation does not imply that you are automatically at fault for anything. This is a part of the process to evaluate the legitimacy of any claims or complaints made about you.
Criminal Charges or Convictions
Criminal defense attorney Justin L. Ward says if you find yourself dealing with criminal charges or convictions that could impact your professional license, a license defense lawyer can help you deal with the situation. He or she can offer support in safeguarding your professional reputation and strive to reduce any possible negative effects on your license.
Your license defense lawyer can stand by your side in court and advocate for you during negotiations. Reaching out for this assistance right away can help you become aware of any criminal charges or convictions that may affect you or put your license at risk for revocation.
Allegations of Professional Misconduct
Facing accusations of professional misconduct can seriously threaten your career and tarnish your reputation. These charges can come from different places, such as feedback from customers, concerns raised by employers, or issues flagged by regulatory organizations.
It is really important to take claims like this seriously. Doing so can help you avoid further investigations, disciplinary actions, and even the risk of losing your professional license.
Hearings Before Licensing Boards
Consider hiring a license defense lawyer to represent you at licensing board hearings to safeguard and advance your interests. These hearings can feel overwhelming and tense, as licensing boards hold the power to make decisions that can significantly impact careers.
Lawyers who specialize in license defense are knowledgeable about the legal process, and having your lawyer cross-examine witnesses, provide facts in your favor, and make legal arguments can help reduce the stress and anxiety of these proceedings.
Appeals and Administrative Review
Managing the process of appeals and administrative review after hearings requires a thorough understanding of the legal procedures and potential implications for your professional standing. If you get a decision from a licensing board that is not in your favor after a hearing, you might have the chance to appeal that decision.
Appeals involve presenting legal arguments to a higher authority to review the initial decision for errors or injustices. Following deadlines and procedural requirements during the appeals process is crucial for making sure your case gets the attention it deserves.
However, administrative reviews might ask for a formal reconsideration of the initial decision by the licensing board. It’s common for you to share additional evidence or arguments to back up your perspective.
An experienced license defense lawyer, skilled in appeals and administrative reviews, can guide you through the processes.
Conclusion
If you’re dealing with an initial notice of investigation, facing criminal charges, allegations of professional misconduct, it’s important to think about bringing a license defense lawyer on board.
Act immediately by seeking legal representation to protect your professional license and your reputation.
