Overview
If a complaint is filed against your North Carolina physical therapy license, the North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners follows a clear process from initial notice through resolution. The system is generally fair and streamlined, but knowing each step and how to prepare will make a big difference in outcome and stress level.
Step 1 — Receiving Notice
The process usually begins when the Board sends you a cover letter and the complaint by U.S. certified mail to the address on file. That means keeping your contact information up to date with the Board is not optional. Failure to maintain current contact details can itself be a violation and will prevent you from receiving important documents in a timely way.
The mailed packet typically explains the allegation, cites the relevant administrative code, and notifies you that you may be asked to participate in an investigative committee meeting.
Step 2 — The Investigative Committee Meeting
Each board has an investigative committee that reviews complaints and recommends actions. For the North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, this committee often includes a Board member, the Executive Director, the Board attorney, and an investigator. The committee will invite the licensee to a meeting where the Committee, the investigator, the licensee, and the licensee’s counsel may all be present.
The meeting is intended to gather your side of the story and to review documentation related to the allegation. Expect medical records to be redacted; the goal is to ensure everyone has the same basic information without disclosing unrelated private details.
What happens in the meeting
- The Committee explains the allegation and the relevant rules.
- You are given an opportunity to respond and tell your version of events.
- Counsel can be present to advise and help present records and a timeline.
How to Prepare and What to Say
Preparation is the most important step. Gather the documents, prepare a short chronology, and coordinate with counsel before the meeting. A focused timeline of events is especially useful.
Be honest. Attempts to mislead will only make matters worse. At the same time, avoid volunteering unnecessary details that could create new issues. Keep answers concise and to the point. As a simple rule, prepare a short, chronological account: what happened, when it happened, and who was involved. Keep your answers succinct to the point.
Succinct, truthful answers make it easier for the committee to weigh the facts without getting lost in extraneous detail.
Possible Outcomes After the Investigative Meeting
After deliberation the committee will recommend one of several possible next steps. The options commonly include:
- Dismissal — No violation found and the case is closed.
- Non-punitive resolutions — For minor issues, the board may offer remedial steps such as continuing education.
- Punitive actions — Public reprimand, suspension, or revocation for serious violations.
If the Committee proposes a resolution that you accept, the matter can be resolved without a contested hearing. If you reject the recommended discipline, the case typically proceeds to the full board and then to a hearing.
Hearings and Appeals
A contested case will be set for a hearing before the board. If the hearing results in discipline, you have an automatic right to appeal the final agency decision to Superior Court via a petition for judicial review. That appeal is a record-based review, and the court can affirm, reverse, or remand the decision for further proceedings.
If a Superior Court decision still leaves an appealable issue, further appeals to the Court of Appeals and higher courts may follow, but the initial step is Superior Court.
Practical Tips and a Quick Checklist
Use the checklist below to prepare quickly and reduce avoidable risk.
- Update your board contact information so certified mail reaches you.
- Collect relevant records and give your attorney access to them beforehand.
- Create a clear timeline listing dates, actions, and witnesses.
- Retain counsel experienced in professional licensing matters early in the process.
- Be honest and concise when answering questions from the committee.
- Do not volunteer extra information that is unrelated to the complaint.
- Consider informal resolution when appropriate, but understand your rights to a hearing and appeal.
Final Observations
The North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners tends to run a fair and orderly process. Many complaints are either dismissed or resolved with minor corrective actions. When allegations are serious, the Board will pursue appropriate discipline. Being prepared, truthful, and well-represented gives you the best chance of a favorable result.
If you face a complaint, take the initial notice seriously, assemble your documentation promptly, and prepare a concise account of what happened. That combination will serve you well throughout the investigative and hearing process.
*Nothing in this blog establishes an attorney-client relationship. Nothing in this blog is legal advice. If you have any questions, please check out our other blogs and our Youtube channel. You can also call us at 919-521-8810 with questions.
