Losing your professional physician’s or nursing license can be overwhelming and depressing. You may feel like your career is over and that there’s nothing you can do about it. That may not be the case. You may be able to start the process over and prove your competency to get your professional license back. Understanding how to get your professional license reinstated in North Carolina is the first step. You may also want to consider consulting a legal professional.
You should hire a professional services licensing lawyer to help you through your professional license case. North Carolina’s professional services license laws can be tough to navigate without the aid of a North Carolina professional services licensing attorney. North State Law has years of combined license defense experience, and our paralegals speak Spanish. We can guide you through the reinstatement process and provide a stronger chance of succeeding.
Professional Licenses in North Carolina
If you are considering going through the reinstatement process for your professional license, then there’s a likely chance you’ve already endured the professional license discipline process. For example, there are currently 40,643 licensed physicians and over 169,000 registered nurses in North Carolina, and some of them have had to go through the same process as you, including seeking reinstatement. Their hearings with the North Carolina Medical Board (NCMB) did not end well.
How to Get Your Professional License Reinstated in North Carolina
The process of getting your professional license reinstated in North Carolina is not easy. There are many steps you must endure, and a lot of them involve proving your capabilities and competence to the state regulatory board that revoked or suspended your license in the first place. It’s recommended that you hire a professional license defense lawyer to represent you throughout your reapplication case. Here are the most important steps in that process:
- Identify your board. There are many state regulatory boards throughout North Carolina. You need to pursue your reinstatement with the right one. If you’re a physician, you should speak with the North Carolina Medical Board. If you’re a nurse, it should be the North Carolina Board of Nursing. If you’re a real estate agent, it should be the North Carolina Real Estate Commission. If you are facing a Real Estate Commission License Defense matter, understanding the requirements of the appropriate board is an important first step.
- Check the eligibility window. You may not know the exact status of your professional license, and that’s okay. You need to find out if your license has lapsed, has expired, or is actively suspended or revoked. The reinstatement process is different, depending on the status of your license. If it’s only lapsed or expired, you may not have to go through certain steps in the process.
- Fulfill education requirements. It’s possible that you may have some outstanding education requirements that are preventing the finalization of your professional license. Complete any missing education credits or refresher courses accumulated during the lapse in your license.
- Submit a background check. It’s likely that you need to submit to a new background check, complete with fingerprinting and a look into any possible criminal history. If this is required by the board, make sure you fulfill it promptly.
- Pay outstanding fees. You need to pay the base fee for the reinstatement process, along with any late penalties or additional fees that you may have accrued, including outstanding fines brought on by a license suspension.
- Resolve disciplinary orders. It is vital and absolutely necessary to the reinstatement process that you prove your full compliance with all prior board orders. You may also have to submit some letters of recommendation, and you may even need to attend a formal board hearing if you haven’t done so already.
FAQs
Can I Get My License Reinstated Online in North Carolina?
Yes, you can get your professional license reinstated online in North Carolina, depending on your specific occupation and the licensing board you are trying to seek reinstatement from. Nurses can use the online portal, as can teachers and real estate agents. Physicians may be allowed to do it online, but they likely cannot if their license has been inactive for years. The regulatory board may require them to complete a reentry program first.
How Long Does It Take to Reinstate a Professional License in North Carolina?
How long it may take to reinstate a professional license in North Carolina can vary. It largely depends on:
- The occupation at hand
- How long your license has lapsed
- Whether you need to undergo a background check and/or board review first
The process can take anywhere from several days to several months, depending on your specific case.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Your License Reinstated in North Carolina?
The amount it costs to get your professional license reinstated in North Carolina is entirely dependent on your specific profession. Each state licensing board sets its own rules, renewal rates, and penalty structures. Reinstatement fees can range up to hundreds of dollars, and you are required to pay those fees to get your license reinstated. Your lawyer can go over every fee you are required to pay.
Should I Hire an Honest Professional License Defense Lawyer?
Yes, you should hire a professional license defense lawyer. You may not know exactly what you have to do to get your license back. The last thing you want is to make any costly mistakes that could set you back even further. By entrusting your case to a skilled lawyer, you’re giving yourself a stronger chance at succeeding. Your lawyer can advocate for you during the hearing, meet filing deadlines, and protect your interests.
Be Sure to Hire a Trusted Professional Services Licensing Lawyer Today
Losing your professional license may not be an option for you. Your career may be relying on getting your license back. If that’s the case, it’s recommended that you hire an experienced lawyer to pursue your reinstatement. At North State Law, we can provide you with useful resources and help you manage your licensing board’s requirements. Contact us to speak with someone about your case.
