Facing disciplinary action from a North Carolina licensing board or agency can jeopardize your reputation and potentially your career. The findings of an investigation can lead to censure, civil penalties, or even the suspension or revocation of your license. A Raleigh professional license defense lawyer can intervene and represent you from the beginning of your case all the way through a hearing. By investigating the allegations and fighting the accusations, you can avoid a serious potential disruption to your career.
The attorneys at North State Law understand that allegations that jeopardize your license can harm your reputation and ability to earn a living. We founded North State Law Firm with a focus on helping doctors, engineers, and other professionals defend their licenses and certifications.
We understand how stressful it can be to have your job on the line, and we are committed to utilizing our knowledge of administrative law to safeguard your rights and interests during administrative hearings. Setting our law firm apart is our focus on delivering exceptional legal services that sway the decisions of licensing boards and government agencies. Trust our award-winning legal team to do what is needed to protect your reputation and future.
Professional licenses are the foundation of countless careers in Raleigh, from attorneys and general contractors to teachers, engineers, and healthcare providers. These credentials represent years of training and dedication, but they can also be put at risk the moment a complaint is filed.
Licensing boards have the authority to investigate allegations of misconduct, negligence, or ethical violations, and the outcome can determine whether a professional is permitted to continue practicing in their field.
Over the past several years, the North Carolina Medical Board has reported a 33% increase in the total licensee population and a 50% increase in enforcement cases opened. Attorneys are another profession that is often scrutinized by reviews and investigations. North Carolina now has over 32,500 licensed attorneys, with Raleigh neighborhoods like North Hills, Five Points, and Brier Creek home to many of the state’s legal professionals.
Most professional license investigations begin when a client, patient, employer, or colleague makes a formal complaint. Once the licensing board receives the complaint, it reviews the allegations to determine if they warrant a formal inquiry. If a formal inquiry is needed, they typically send a Notice of Complaint, which outlines the allegations, cites relevant rules that were violated, and sets a timeline for the process.
The respondent can make a formal statement in their defense and hire an attorney to represent them throughout the process. The board conducts an investigation that may involve requesting documents, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing records. In some cases, the respondent may be required by statute and/or administrative code to provide further statements or attend an informal interview.
If the board believes a violation may have occurred, the matter can proceed to an administrative hearing. At that hearing, evidence is presented, and both sides have the chance to make their respective cases. The outcome of a hearing can range from dismissal to disciplinary action, with a suspension or revocation of a license being the most serious outcome.
The effectiveness of your legal defense can greatly influence the outcome of your case and whether you retain the license or certification that you need to maintain your career. A Raleigh professional license defense attorney brings years of experience understanding North Carolina’s professional license defense laws and how to protect the reputation and careers of respondents.
Professional license defense cases are handled differently from civil court cases and require knowledge of administrative procedures and the specific statutes and rules governing the licensing boards that oversee professions such as medicine, law, engineering, and others. During a difficult time, the decision to hire a professional license defense lawyer can ease the stress you are experiencing and position you for a favorable outcome to your upcoming hearing.
A: After a licensing board receives a complaint against you, the board reviews the allegations to determine if they have merit and meet the standards for triggering an investigation. If the board proceeds with a review of the incident, the accused party is notified of the administrative action and given opportunities to respond. The process that involves Board committee meetings and evidence-gathering ultimately determines whether discipline is warranted.
A: The length of an investigation can vary significantly, and different oversight groups set different self-imposed deadlines for how long the process should take. The complexity of the case is a significant factor that determines the timeline. Some matters may be resolved within a few months, while more serious cases can take a year or longer.
We have found that the two biggest reasons for a case taking over a year or more is that: (1) the Board doing the investigation is small and does not have a lot of resources/does not meet very often or (2) the Board is regulating a profession that has a large number of licensees and just does not have the resources to move cases through their process at even a normal pace.
A: The decision to allow you to continue working as the investigation moves forward depends on the policy of the oversight board and the nature of the allegation itself. In many cases, you may continue working during the investigation. However, if the allegations involve serious misconduct and pose a risk to the public, the board has the authority to issue a Summary Suspension before making a final ruling.
A: A licensing board hearing can lead to one of several outcomes, ranging from the dismissal of the complaint to disciplinary action. Boards may issue warnings, levy fines, or take steps to suspend or revoke a license. In some cases, settlement agreements can resolve issues without the need for a formal hearing.
Contact a Trusted Administrative Law Attorney Today If your professional license or credential is at risk, now is the time to act. The legal team at North State Law can take decisive action to protect your reputation by representing you at hearings and investigating the accusations that you are facing. We understand administrative law and the review process used by licensing boards across the state. Contact our office today to schedule your initial consultation, and we can provide you with the legal defense you need.
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