California Chiropractor License Defense Attorney

Chiropractic Licensing in California

The California Board of Chiropractic Examiners aims to protect the health, welfare, and safety of the public through licensure, education, and enforcement in chiropractic care. In order to be a chiropractor in California, you must be licensed, meaning that you have passed a written test and have shown yourself to have the education and qualifications.

Once you are a licensed chiropractor, you are subject to oversight by the Board. They issue standards and regulations, and they enforce California laws that govern chiropractors. If the Board thinks that a chiropractor has violated the rules, they can take enforcement action that could result in stiff penalties. Enforcement actions could result in your loss of the right to practice or other penalties that could severely damage your reputation.

License Applications, Denials and Statement of Issues

Applying for your license is exciting because it is one of the last hurdles before you can begin your career. For many the application process with the Board is straightforward and simple. However, for some, past criminal convictions or other issues can lock them up. The attorneys at Unlock Legal will complete and file your application on your behalf to make sure that you have the best chance of having it granted.

If you have submitted your application and it has been denied, you are not locked out of your career. A denial of your application is called a Statement of Issues. We will defend you to the Board with the intention that you are granted your license free and clear. If you must be on probation, we will negotiate the best possible terms and conditions. A part of your defense may be cleaning up any past criminal issues to show your rehabilitation to the licensing body.

Investigation

If someone files a complaint against you with the Board, the Board may instigate an investigation against you. The attorneys at Unlock Legal will request a copy of the complaint, assist you in preparation of any statement, prepare you for the investigation interview, and represent you at the interview with the investigator. It is important to have experienced counsel with you at an investigation interview to assist you in answering any questions appropriately, and advising you when not to speak. With the right advice and counsel an investigation may end at the interview stage. If not, your licensing body may choose to file a formal complaint against you called an Accusation.

Accusations

An Accusation is a formal complaint drafted by the Attorney General’s office. It alleges various causes of action against you which may stem from conviction of a crime, and/or allegations of other bad acts like substance abuse, or deviation from the standard of care. You have only 15 days to send a Notice of Defense once you have been served with an Accusation. If you miss the deadline a default order may be rendered against you resulting in the revocation of your license.

It is imperative that you hire experienced counsel to represent you if an Accusation has been filed against you. Time is of the essence, and your career and livelihood is at stake.

When the Board Takes Disciplinary Action

The Board takes disciplinary action against chiropractors, oftentimes in response to complaints that patients have filed. The Board may also learn of possible grounds for enforcement in the course of investigations that it launches. Reasons for enforcement could include:

• Exceeding the scope of their practice
• Gross negligence
• Repeated negligent acts
• Excessive treatment
• Failure to refer a patient to another licensed health care provider
• Intentionally or recklessly causing harm to the public
• Conviction of a crime
• Conviction involving moral turpitude, dishonesty, or corruption (for example, something that involves lying or fraud)
• Failure to meet continuing education requirements
• Continuing education was not accepted by the board
• Accused of continuing education fraud

These are just some of a long list of reasons why the Board can punish you. If the Board does discipline you, it can have severe consequences. Not only can you lose the right to practice, either temporarily or permanently, but the public can search and view the disciplinary actions. These actions are not something that a chiropractor would want in the public realm.

Potential Disciplinary Penalties

Here are some of the potential penalties that the Board can impose on chiropractors:

• Revoking the chiropractor’s license
• Placing them on probation
• Suspending the license
• Requiring drug and alcohol testing
• Mandating that the chiropractor take a special examination
• Supervised practice with monitoring by another chiropractor
• A psychological or psychiatric evaluation
• Restitution to customers
• Restricted practice

The Board can choose one or more of the sanctions from this list. Chiropractors have the option to fight the charges against them or to work with the Board and agree on stipulated factors as part of a negotiation. An experienced attorney could advise you on the best way of dealing with any potential disciplinary charges. While the Board decides your fate after a disciplinary proceeding, you are entitled to due process, and your side of the story can be heard.

Petition for Reinstatement of License or Reduction of Penalties

If you have lost your Chiropractor license you are not locked out of the career of your choice. After a certain amount of time you are eligible to ask the Board to grant your license again. In addition, you can generally request that the terms and conditions of probation be modified or terminated early. The legal team at Unlock Legal has filed petitions for reinstatement for many clients who made one mistake, and who have paid the price. We love to demonstrate mitigating circumstances and rehabilitation to the Board to get our Chiropractors back in the office as soon as possible!

Call a Chiropractor License Defense Attorney

When you sought out your Chiropractic license you were following your passion. It is our passion to keep you doing what you want to do with your career and your life. If you are facing any disciplinary action, Unlock Legal can work with you to defend your name and your ability to earn a living.

We have represented chiropractors in front of the Board, both in negotiations and adversarial proceedings. If you are facing charges, you should not lose hope or feel overpowered. We can help. Call us today at (949) 997-1482 or contact us online to discuss your matter.