As a licensed professional in Pennsylvania, whether you’re a nurse, doctor, pharmacist, teacher, accountant, or real estate agent, your license is your livelihood. But if you receive notice of a complaint filed with your licensing board, everything you’ve worked for may be on the line.
Licensing board complaints can be triggered by a wide range of issues, from alleged professional misconduct and ethics violations to criminal charges or even personal disputes. While the process may seem administrative or routine, it’s anything but. The potential consequences—such as license suspension, revocation, or career-ending stigma—are serious.
Here, Pennsylvania defense attorney Michael Fienman explains what you need to know about responding to a professional licensing board complaint and how to protect your future every step of the way.
How a Licensing Board Complaint Can Affect Your Career
Unlike a typical legal matter, licensing board investigations are focused on professional ethics, competence, and public trust. If someone files a complaint with your licensing board, you’re not just facing fines or discipline—you’re at risk of losing the ability to work in your chosen profession.
Licensing boards in Pennsylvania, such as the State Board of Nursing, the State Board of Medicine, or the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, have the authority to launch investigations, hold disciplinary hearings, and impose various sanctions based on their findings. Even minor issues, such as poor documentation, patient complaints, or off-the-clock conduct, can lead to intense scrutiny and career-altering penalties.
Many professionals assume they can explain the situation themselves, or the board will see the complaint as baseless. But responding casually or without guidance can make matters worse. You need to take immediate, strategic action to avoid jeopardizing your career.
Step 1: Take the Complaint Seriously & Don’t Panic
Receiving a notice of complaint is understandably stressful. You may feel shocked, defensive, or eager to clear your name. However, your first step should be to remain calm and avoid responding impulsively.
Carefully review the notice and any documents provided by the board. These typically outline the nature of the complaint and deadlines for responding. Failing to act promptly or properly can be seen as noncompliance, which can result in disciplinary action.
Step 2: Consult a Licensing Defense Attorney Right Away
You have a right to legal counsel, and this is the time to use it. An attorney experienced in both professional licensing and administrative law can help you:
- Understand the allegations and the board’s process
- Respond to the complaint appropriately and on time
- Avoid common missteps that can escalate the situation
- Prepare for interviews, evidence requests, or hearings
- Protect your license and reputation throughout the process
Attorney Michael Fienman routinely represents licensed professionals in Pennsylvania facing disciplinary action. He can assess the strength of the complaint, help you gather documentation and witnesses in your favor, and develop a strategy tailored to your specific board and career field.
Step 3: Submit a Thorough & Professional Response
You’ll most likely be asked to submit a written response to the complaint. This is not a simple formality. Your response will likely become part of the official investigation record and may be reviewed by the board, its investigators, and legal counsel.
Your attorney can help you draft a response that:
- Acknowledges the board’s concerns without admitting wrongdoing
- Corrects any inaccuracies or misunderstandings in the complaint
- Includes supporting documentation or evidence (if applicable)
- Demonstrates your professionalism and commitment to compliance
Failing to respond, being dismissive, or submitting a vague reply can hurt your credibility. A thoughtful and strategic response helps you set the tone for your defense and may even lead to the complaint being dismissed early.
Step 4: Cooperate with the Investigation – Cautiously
If the board moves forward with an investigation, they may request interviews, medical or employment records, or statements from third parties. Investigators may even appear at your home or place of work.
While cooperation is often expected, it’s critical to understand your rights. You are not obligated to speak without your attorney present, and anything you say can be used to support disciplinary action.
Your attorney can guide you in:
- Deciding when and how to communicate with the board
- Preparing for interviews or depositions
- Ensuring that any information provided is accurate and helpful
- Protecting your privacy and due process rights
Step 5: Prepare for a Hearing (If Necessary)
If the board believes the complaint has merit, they may issue a formal notice, such as an Order to Show Cause, and schedule an administrative hearing. This hearing is similar to a courtroom trial but focused on professional conduct.
At the hearing, you’ll have a chance to present your defense, cross-examine witnesses, and challenge the evidence against you. The board will present its case, and an administrative law judge or panel will decide based on the evidence.
Potential outcomes include:
- Dismissal of the complaint
- Private reprimand or warning
- Public reprimand
- License probation with conditions
- License suspension or revocation
Your best chance at avoiding severe penalties—or avoiding the hearing altogether—is working with a skilled attorney from the start.
Can You Appeal a Licensing Board Decision in PA?
Yes, if the board issues a disciplinary decision that you believe is unfair or unsupported, you may be able to appeal the ruling to the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania. However, appeals are complex and must be based on legal or procedural errors, not simply dissatisfaction with the outcome.
Because appeals require strong legal arguments, detailed records, and sometimes new evidence, working with an attorney who understands both trial-level licensing board procedures and appellate law is essential.
Don’t Face the Licensing Board Alone
Whether you’re a nurse at Jefferson Health, a pharmacist in Bucks County, or a licensed contractor in Montgomery County, you’ve worked hard to build your career. But a licensing board complaint can unravel it all—unless you take swift and strategic action.
Michael Fienman has helped professionals across Pennsylvania navigate licensing complaints, investigations, and disciplinary hearings. From crafting persuasive written responses to negotiating favorable consent agreements, he’s dedicated to protecting your rights, reputation, and license.
Our Record Protecting Licensed Professionals
- Pharmacist Keeps License After Ethics Complaint: Our client was accused of inappropriate dispensing. The complaint was dismissed without disciplinary action after presenting evidence of proper procedures and professional conduct.
- Nurse Avoids Suspension After DUI Charge: Despite a recent conviction, we negotiated terms with the State Board of Nursing that allowed the nurse to keep working under probation with mandatory counseling.
- Real Estate Agent Retains License After Client Complaint: A dispute with a client could have resulted in a suspension. Our defense showed the agent complied with all industry standards, and the board closed the case.
Facing a Complaint from Your Licensing Board? Call Fienman Defense Today
If you’ve been notified of a complaint filed with your licensing board, don’t wait and don’t try to handle it alone. You can protect your license and preserve your career with the proper defense.
Contact attorney Michael Fienman today for a confidential consultation. We’ll review the complaint, explain your options, and build a strategy to safeguard your future.
Call (215) 839-9529 or contact us online.
View All Blogs