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Letters of Investigation from the Department of Consumer Affairs
If a Complaint is made to the Medical Board of CA, the Board of Psychology, the Dental Board of CA, the Osteopathic Medical Board of CA, the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners, the Board of Registered Nursing, the State Board of Optometry, the Veterinary Medical Board, the Physical Therapy Board of CA, the CA State Board of Pharmacy, the Speech-Language Pathology Board regarding a licensee. The applicable board and/or the CA Department of Consumer Affairs will conduct an investigation. As part of that investigation the licensed CA physician, nurse, healthcare worker, etc… often receives a letter indicating that a complaint has been made and that the Board’s or DCA’s Investigator is conducting an interview as part of that investigation. The letter will then direct the licensed medical professional to contact the named investigator to set up such an interview.
Probation, Probation Conditions, and Disciplinary Guidelines
If you possess a CA professional license or are applying for such and your fitness to hold the license is being investigated, you should always consult with an experienced Sacramento professional license defense attorney like Jonathan Turner.
Such licensing investigations are complicated and stressful matters.
Often the licensing board at issue, for example the CA Department of Consumer Affairs, the CA Board of Registered Nursing, the CA Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the CA Board of Real Estate, the CA Medical Board, etc… will offer to not suspend or revoke the license if the licensee agrees to placement on probation with the board. It is essential that you consult with a Sacramento professional license defense lawyer before agreeing to any such settlement that involves probation.
California Department of Consumer Affairs
The California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) based in Sacramento, California, oversees many of California’s professional licensing agencies and boards, including, but not limited to, those in the health care field such as doctors, nurses, physical therapists, dentists and many others.
The Department of Consumer Affairs will initiate an investigation if they receive information that a licensee has committed a crime, engaged in dishonest or unprofessional conduct, fraud, and/or engaged in billing irregularities. When the DCA receives such information and believes the information warrants a more formal investigation, the matter may be assigned to one of its many investigators located throughout California. Those investigators will then contact the licensee and attempt to arrange for an in-person interview. If you are contacted by an investigator with the Department of Consumer Affairs, it is vital that you contact an experienced professional license defense attorney like Jonathan Turner immediately.
CA Professional Licenses: Reinstatement Petitions, License Surrender, Reconsideration and Writs of Mandamus
Administrative law and professional license defense is a unique area of law with its own laws, statutes, rules and regulations. As such, if you are dealing with a professional licensing matter with one of California’s numerous licensing boards or agencies such as the CA Board of Registered Nursing, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the CA Department of Consumer Affairs, the CA Department of Insurance, the CA Bureau of Real Estate, the Board of Behavioral Sciences or the Department of Social Services, you need an experienced professional license defense attorney.
California Professional License Complaints
Accusation, Statement of Issues, Notice of Defense and Statement to Respondent – When a California professional licensing board or agency seeks to discipline (e.g. suspend or revoke) a license or deny a license application, the licensee if afforded the right to contest that disciplinary decision by requesting an administrative hearing under the CA Government Code beginning with Section 11500 (also known as the Administrative Procedures Act).
Can I Lose My California Professional License Based on a Driving Under the Influence Conviction?
Driving Under the Influence or DUI (CA Vehicle Code section 23152) is a crime that nearly anyone may commit including licensed nurses (registered nurses and LVNs), credentialed teachers, medical doctors, dentists, veterinarians, real estate brokers, insurance agents, physical therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, physicians assistants, chiropractors, accountants, pharmacists, and any other California licensed professional.
CA Professional License Defense of Citations
California Business and Professions Code section 125.9 authorizes CA licensing boards and agencies to issue “citations” for misconduct. Such citations generally entail fines ranging from $250 up to $5,000 or more. More importantly, these citations are often public record and thus may mar a professional’s licensing record. Also Boards will keep such citations in their files and likely use them in the future to enhance a licensee’s punishment for future misconduct. In short, if you are a California licensed professional such as a chiropractor, psychologist, nurse, pharmacist, dentist, paramedic, real estate broker, insurance agent, or any other professional or a business like a smog shop licensed by the Bureau of Automotive Repair, and you receive a citation, it is important that you consult with an administrative lawyer and license defense specialist like Jonathan Turner right away.
Expungements and Penal Code Section 1203.4
New California Professional Licensing Laws and Regulations: Expungements and Penal Code Section 1203.4 Relief More Important than Ever for CA Professionals Facing Denial, Suspension and Revocation of Licenses.
California’s professional licensing agencies in Sacramento continue to amend their laws and regulations so as to give more benefits to license holders and applicants who are facing potential discipline based on a criminal conviction if the conviction is expunged i.e. dismissed pursuant to CA Penal Code section 1203.4.
California Teacher Credentialing Investigations & Discipline
The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing oversees a wide range of credentials beyond classroom teaching, including those for administrators, student teachers, and speech-language pathologists. Criminal history, misconduct allegations, or prior disciplinary actions can trigger investigations by the Commission’s Committee of Credentials. Understanding how these investigations work — and what each credentialing path requires — is essential for protecting your ability to work in California public schools.
OUT OF STATE LICENSE DISCIPLINE & CONSEQUENCES
Many California physicians including those licensed by the CA Medical Board, CA Osteopathic Medical Board, CA Board of Podiatry, as well as registered nurses and other health care professionals possess professional licenses in not only California but other states as well. If an out of state license is disciplined including suspended, revoked, placed on probation, or surrendered in lieu of revocation, this likely will have consequences on the licensee’s California medical or nursing license.
LEGAL TROUBLE WITH YOUR PROFESSIONAL LICENSING BOARD?
If you received a denial of a professional license or any threat to your ability to continue practicing your profession, please contact attorney Jonathan Turner using this contact form or call (916) 471-6506 for a personal conversation.