Who can attack your license or certification?

Anyone has the right to report a complaint to the Department of Regulation (DPR), the body that has the power to revoke or censure your license/certification and ability to practice your chosen profession. Your professional credentials are the key to your livelihood. In spite of that fact, few of us stop to think about what happens when or how your credentials can be attacked. Generally, attacks against your credentials come from the following sources:

• Disgruntled patients or clients. Often, dissatisfied patients or clients will not only sue you, but also file a complaint with the DPR asking it to investigate your license/certification. Sometimes, the purpose of filing an action against your license/certification is a way to gain information so that a lawsuit can be filed against you at a later time.
• State Agencies. In the event you have defaulted on student loans or have failed to pay your income, state or federal taxes, the taxing body will report you to the DPR who will then take action against your license/certification due to your payment failure.
• Criminal Activity. In the event you have been found to have misappropriated drugs, your employer is under obligation to report the activity to the DPR. There is no requirement that you be convicted of a crime for your license/certification to be revoked or restricted for drug misappropriation.
• Substance Abuse. In the event of substance abuse, anyone can report your alleged abuse to the DPR, and it will investigate the activity. The abuse need not necessarily have affected your work for the investigation to ensue and your license/certification to be restricted.

It is imperative that should your license/certification be attacked, you retain a competent attorney who is familiar with the DPR to ensure that your license/certification is fully protected. Your professional liability policy automatically provides coverage for regulatory investigation defense. This means that you will receive reimbursement up to $5,000 per incident and no more than $10,000 per policy period for fees, costs and expenses associated with any investigation or disciplinary action by a regulatory body associated with your professional license.

continue >>