Some physicians who took online quizzes in December faced an agonizing evening wondering whether they would lose their board certification. The online certification program from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) didn't work as intended during the exam period and shut down prematurely before the midnight deadline. The physicians who were prevented from finishing their exams didn't find out until the next morning that they would be given an extra day to complete their exams.

Medical boards aren't the only boards that commit errors. Professional boards can be held liable for their actions when they interfere with the rights of licensed professionals to continue practicing. Board errors are often caused by the board's allowing unqualified people to serve on it, being understaffed, or failing to give full attention to each case because it has a backlog of cases.

If your board committed an error that has impacted your license, don't try to defend yourself without having experienced attorneys. Call the Professional License Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or fill out the contact form.

Medical Board Acknowledges Error

Although the medical board admitted there was an issue with their administering the online quizzes, the problem wasn't revealed until after the physicians taking them endured a long, anxiety-filled evening. ABPN noted on its website that the issue was with its exam software, and it apologized for the “inconvenience.”

Licensing Boards' Mistakes and Inept Practices Impact Professionals

Unless a board is self-policing, its reviews of professional licenses are often subject to delays. While a board is reviewing a professional license, its delays and inept practices can cause professionals to encounter:

• Loss of income while taking time off from work
• Stress and anxiety
• Damage to a professional reputation
• Financial hardship during any temporary license suspension or limitation

A well-run board will remove directors who don't show up for meetings or who exhibit ineffective performance, and it will engage in frequent reviews of its own performance. Most often, though, boards fail to take these actions. As a result, they make mistakes or act improperly, which can affect professional licenses.

While a board is powerful with its ability to give and revoke licenses, that doesn't mean it acts honestly or that it prioritizes the best interests of licensees. A board can abuse its power or overstep its authority. It will often accept the surrender or limitation of a professional license even if the professional is just trying to get the board to leave them alone and even if the professional didn't warrant such action. Licensees are unaware of valid defenses that experienced attorneys deal with every day.

How the Lento Law Firm Can Help You

If your board committed an error affecting your license, or if your license is in jeopardy, we can help negotiate with the board and work to achieve the best resolution for you. The Professional License Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm will fight for you and your license. We represent licensed professionals nationwide. Call us at 888-535-3686 or fill out the online form today.