North Carolina Chiropractic License Defense Lawyer
North State Law helps North Carolina Chiropractors who are facing licensing problems such as suspension, revocation, or monetary penalties imposed by the North Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners.
The establishment of the North Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners occurred in 1917 by the North Carolina General Assembly. (NC GS 90-139)
The Board’s primary duties are to license, monitor, educate and discipline North Carolina Chiropractors and Chiropractor Assistants.
The Board consists of eight members. Six members are Doctors of Chiropractic who have practiced in North Carolina for eight consecutive years preceding their appointments. These six members must also be residents of the state.
The Governor selects the additional two members of the Board to represent the public. These two members cannot be healthcare providers, nor can their spouses be healthcare providers. Additionally, the two at large members cannot have a significant financial interest in a health care service or profession.
The two primary legal documents concerning Chiropractors in the state of North Carolina are NCAC Title 21, Chapter 10 (Chiropractic Examiners) and NC GS Chapter 90, Article 8 (Chiropractic Section of Medicine and Allied Occupations)
Nick Dowgul and North State Law
Nick Dowgul, the managing attorney at North State Law, has dedicated his law practice to helping licensed professionals in North Carolina.
Your North Carolina Chiropractic License in good standing means that you can continue to perform the duties of your Chiropractic career freely. It also means you can continue to provide for your family.
When a Chiropractor receives notice of a complaint from the North Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners, worry about the future can creep into your thoughts.
You don’t have to face the Board and allegations alone.
If you’re facing license revocation, suspension, monetary penalties, or any disciplinary action from the North Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners, contact Nick Dowgul and North State Law.
Dowgul can put his experience in your corner and protect you and all you’ve worked for in your career.
Who can file a complaint against a Chiropractor in North Carolina?
According to NCAC Title 21, Chapter 10 .0501, any person with reason to believe that a Doctor of Chiropractic has violated the laws governing chiropractic care in North Carolina may file a complaint.
The complaint must be formally filed by way of form. The form must include the complainant’s name and contact info, the name and contact of the person the complaint is about, a narrative of facts explaining the complaint, and the signature of the person’s filing the complaint along with the date.
What happens after the North Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners receives a complaint?
Once the Board receives a complaint, they will notify the Chiropractor. The complaint will then undergo a review by the Secretary of the Board. This review is to determine if a Probable Cause Hearing is required.
In a situation where a Probable Cause Hearing is scheduled, the Chiropractor and complainant will be notified of the date, time, and location of the hearing.
The Probable Cause Hearing is informal. After the hearing, the following may occour:
- No probable cause is found, and the charge and matter will be dismissed
- the Committee and Chiropractic licensee resolve the matter through settlement
- No settlement between Committee and Chiropractic licensee is made, and the case becomes a “contested case,” and a hearing is set before either the North Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners or an Administrative Law Judge at the NC Office of Administrative Hearings
Do Chiropractors have to comply with an investigation into a complaint by the North Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners?
Yes.
The North Carolina Administrative Code states that all requests for records or documents by the North Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners must be fully complied with by the Chiropractor.
If I am facing licensing issues from the North Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners, how can a lawyer help me?
Once a complaint is filed, and the Chiropractor is notified, a rigorous and uniform process occurs. This process follows North Carolina Administrative Code.
Generally speaking, Chiropractors, or any licensed professionals outside of attorneys, aren’t too familiar with these codes and procedures.
North State Law is a firm that helps licensed professionals every day. We are familiar with the codes and processes and have experience navigating them to help licensed professionals protect their careers.
In a complaint against a North Carolina Chiropractor, it is a requirement that they fully comply with requests made by the Board. An attorney can help make sure that this compliance is satisfied.
Leading up to the Probable Cause hearing, an attorney can prepare you for lines of questioning that may take place. Making sure that you’re not caught off guard.
In the case that, after the Probable Cause hearing, a settlement needs to be negotiated, an attorney can help you communicate with the Board protecting your best interests and your career.
Finally, if no resolution is made and a “contested case” hearing must take place, an attorney can once again help prepare you and build a case for your defense.
If I'm going to hire an attorney to help protect my NC Chiropractor License, at what point should I do it?
If you have done your research and have decided that you want to secure the services of an experienced Chiropractic License Defense Attorney, we always suggest doing so as soon as possible.
As you have read above, there are a few steps to this process.
A licensed chiropractor may think, “No big deal, I’ll handle this informal hearing alone because I don’t think I did anything that requires further action. But if it goes further, I will call a lawyer.”
You may have never faced a hearing where your license to practice is on the line. Don’t let the “informal” word fool you. What you say and the way you answer questions in this hearing matter.
Going even further, if your situation has advanced to a “contested case,” and you decide you need an attorney, there may be a mountain the attorney is required to climb because you brought into the process so late.
Hiring an attorney is 100% voluntary, but if you’re going to do it, it’s best to do it the moment you receive the complaint. Securing an attorney early in the process creates a lengthy timeline for the attorney to be able to research and build your defense.
What types of disciplinary actions can Chiropractors receive from the North Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners?
NC GS 90-154 covers the sanctions the North Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners can impose when finding a Chiropractor guilty of an offense. They include:
- Permanently revoke a license to practice chiropractic
- Suspend a license to practice chiropractic.
- Refuse to grant a license.
- Censure a practitioner.
- Issue a letter of reprimand.
- Place a practitioner on probationary status and require him to report regularly to the Board upon the matters which are the basis of probation.
- A civil penalty
What are common reasons North Carolina Chiropractors face disciplinary action?
While there are many reasons the North Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners may impose sanctions, the following are the most common:
- Conviction of a felony involving moral turpitude
- Severe dependency upon alcohol or any other drug
- Unethical conduct
- Committing fraud, deception, or misrepresentation
- Violating the extent and limitation of a Chiropractic License
- Concealing information from the Board
- Negligence, incompetence, or malpractice
Contact North State Law
If you are a North Carolina Chiropractor and you’re facing licensing issues and have questions, don’t hesitate to contact Nick Dowgul of North State Law today to discuss your situation.
North Carolina Chiropractor License Videos from North State Law
NC Chiropractor Board Investigation Cooperation Requirements
Impact Of An Arrest on a NC Professional License
Appealing NC Licensing Board Decision
NC Professional License Denial
North Carolina Chiropractic License Information from the North State Law Blog
Additional North Carolina Chiropractic License Resources:
- NC GS Chapter 90, Article 8 (Chiropractic Section of Medicine and Allied Occupations)
- NCAC Title 21, Chapter 10 (Chiropractic Examiners)
- North Carolina Doctor of Chiropractic Continuing Education Requirements
- Frequently Asked Questions (NC Board of Chiropractic Examiners)
- Chiropractic Physician Renewal FAQs (NC Board of Chiropractic Examiners)
North Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners Information
North Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners
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9121 Anson Way, Suite 200
Raleigh, NC 27615
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