Durham Nursing License Defense Lawyer

Nursing License Defense Attorney in Durham, NC

Nurses are pillars of the healthcare industry. After dedicating years of work to your career, the idea of having your license revoked can be a frightening prospect. A Durham nursing license defense lawyer can help gather supporting evidence, prepare you for your board hearing, and be at your side until the final decision. 

About Us

At North State Law, we’ve spent years representing the people in Durham, Raleigh, Charlotte, and across North Carolina in their nursing license defense cases. Our team focuses on helping individuals in their professional licensing defense cases, not boards. If English is not your preferred language, our paralegals and staff have full Spanish language capabilities. 

We have experience assisting healthcare professionals, including nurses, physicians, and nurse practitioners. We also represent those in non-medical fields such as construction, engineering, child care, and professional services. Our founder, Nicholas Dowgul, has been rated an Elite Lawyer since 2021 and was named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers.

Overview of Nursing License Defense Cases in North Carolina

The North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON) reported over 187,000 actively licensed nurses in fiscal year 2024-2025, making it the largest professional licensing body in the state. During that period, the NCBON received over 2,100 complaints in the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Of these cases filed, 61% were made by the public and 28% by an employer. 

Nurses in North Carolina may face license revocation or suspension for misconduct that violates their responsibility as healthcare professionals. A few common reasons for NCBON disciplinary investigations include:

• Lying or withholding information from the board
• Conviction of a crime, which indicates that a person is unfit to serve as a nurse
• Substance abuse while working or that affects job performance
• Endangering public health
• Incompetence in a position, such as failing to maintain accurate records
• Inappropriate relationships with patients
• Threatening, neglecting, or abusing a patient.

Disciplinary actions that the NCBON may take include probation, limitations on a nurse’s position, public reprimand, public letters of concern, ordering a nurse to undergo additional training, and a license suspension or revocation. 

Durham disciplinary hearings for nurses are typically held at the main NCBON office located at 4516 Lake Boone Trail, Raleigh, NC 27607. 

Hire a Nursing License Defense Lawyer

Facing an NCBON disciplinary hearing alone can be complicated and confusing. With your career on the line, hire a nursing license defense lawyer to help you with your case. Your Durham nursing license defense attorney can assist you with each stage of your case. A few ways that North State Law can aid your defense include:

• Responding to the initial complaint. After receiving a notice of complaint, you must respond within a reasonable time period. Failure to do so can be seen as noncooperation and can be used in itself as grounds for disciplinary action. We can draft a prompt response that addresses allegations of misconduct. 
• Gathering evidence. Experienced legal counsel can gather evidence that supports your defense. Examples include witness statements, character references, documentation of timelines and actions, and a history of professional behavior. 
• Building your defense. A strong defense can improve the odds of you keeping your license. North State Law can review the details of your case and advise you on which approach to take. 
• Representation in hearings. Administrative hearings are stressful to go through alone. Your lawyer can represent you in all meetings throughout the proceedings. 
• Negotiate a resolution. In some disciplinary hearings, some punishment may be necessary, which might harm your license. We can negotiate a resolution with the NCBON that works for you.

North State Law Firm

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FAQs

How Much Does a Nursing License Defense Lawyer Cost in North Carolina?

How much a North Carolina nursing license defense lawyer costs depends on the complexity of your case, the severity of allegations against you, and the work hours your case requires. A simple accusation of minor incompetence with a swift negotiation process tends to cost less than one involving serious harm and months of deliberations. In your initial consultation, your attorney can provide a rough estimate for your legal expenses.

How Likely Are You to Lose Your License in North Carolina?

How likely you are to lose your license in a North Carolina NCBON disciplinary hearing depends on the reason for the complaint, severity of action, and any past infractions. Repeated incidents of misconduct or fraudulently hiding your actions are more likely to end in license revocation. A first-time, non-intentional error where no patient was directly harmed might not result in a suspension.

What Is the Strongest Defense in a North Carolina Nursing Board Disciplinary Hearing?

The strongest defense for your NCBON disciplinary hearing changes based on the accusations you are facing and the details of your case. A few common strategies include:

• Refuting misconduct
• Arguing that the actions did not pose a risk to patient or public safety
• Proving the error was an isolated incident
• Highlighting a history of honest and professional behavior.

Each strategy is more or less effective depending on the circumstances. An attorney can review the situation and develop a defense strategy.

How Long Does a Nursing Board Disciplinary Case Take in North Carolina?

How long your NCBON disciplinary case takes to resolve is based on its complexity, the parties involved, and how long the investigation lasts. A complaint may be investigated briefly, only to be dismissed within a month. Other instances may move to full administrative review, testimony, and an appeal process. These can take a year or longer. Your nursing license defense attorney can provide a loose timeline for your case. 

Speak With a Nursing License Defense Attorney Today

North State Law understands how stressful a license suspension or revocation can be. Whether you work at Duke University Hospital, North Carolina Specialty Hospital, or any other medical practice in Durham, we can help you through this difficult period. 

Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation. In this meeting, we can learn about the threat to your nursing license, explain your rights, and provide defense strategies. You may also visit our Raleigh office, located on Faringdon Place, northeast of Cedar Hills Park and west of Millbrook Exchange Park.