Many professionals will experience some type of restriction on their professional licenses over the course of their careers. In some cases, the individual has faced the loss of a professional license, either temporarily or indefinitely. Most of these individuals will want to return to practice their professions, and a good legal and practical strategy provides the best chance for a successful “comeback.”

A professional board may put restrictions on a license, including the most serious types of discipline.

Types of Disciplinary Action

• Suspension – Under a suspension, a licensing Board will temporarily prohibit an individual from practicing. While a suspension is typically for a set period, reactivation of the license is usually not automatic. A suspension may be followed by a period of probation.
• Revocation – When a license is revoked, a person is prohibited from practicing in the profession, often indefinitely. A person with a revoked license must reapply, and typically must wait a specific time before doing so.
• Refusal to renew – In some cases, the Board may tell a licensee that they are ineligible to renew their license, and that once expired, their license will not be renewed. This has the practical effect of a revocation on the individual's ability to practice.

Reactivation of Professional License

Step 1: Read the Board Order Carefully A suspension order should include a time under which the suspension will end, and the individual can apply for reactivation of the license. In the case of a long suspension, the Board may require completion of some type of continuing education.

Step 2: Petition for Reactivation of License. This procedure is dependent on the specific state rules for the profession and the language in the Board order. Reactivation is not typically automatic—the individual will need to take action to reinstate a professional license.

Step 3: Hearing or Consideration Phase. Depending on the nature of the events leading up to license suspension or revocation, the Board may set a hearing and accept evidence that the individual is fit and able to return to practice. There are several things that an individual can do to increase the odds of Board approval to return to practice. If drugs or alcohol played a role in the license suspension, evidence of treatment and sobriety is key. If a professional error was involved, the individual should take a refresher course or some type of continuing education. It is advisable to contact experienced legal counsel before presenting evidence to the Board.

Step 4: Probation. In many professions, a license suspension is followed by a period of professional probation. This probationary period may last months or years and may involve a process of performance monitoring.

Premier Attorney Representation Available

Professional license defense attorneys at the Lento Law Firm have the skills and experience to provide the best chance of restoration of your professional license. The Lento Law Firm Team is nationwide, so you can retain a preeminent licensed defense attorney and defense team now. Call the Lento Law Firm at 888.535.3686 or go online.