If you're a pharmacist in the Piedmont Triad, you know that even the slightest mishap can lead to serious consequences. A North Carolina medical license comes with regulations, and perceived infractions may bring an investigation and possible disciplinary action. It's important to understand typical violations, as well as your rights, so that you can defend your license if an issue ever arises.
Wherever you live in the Greensboro area, if you have problems with your North Carolina license, we can help. The Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team has worked with pharmacists across the country to defend their license. We understand board processes and can help, whether you work at Cone Health, CVS, or any number of pharmacies in the Triad area. Give us a call today at 888-535-3686 or fill out our confidential contact form to get in touch.
North Carolina's Pharmacist Licensing Authority
The North Carolina Board of Pharmacy (NCBOP) handles licensing for the state. The board consists of six members, including one public member along with five pharmacists. The NCBOP issues and renews licenses and sets standards for holding and maintaining your license.
To become a licensed pharmacist in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point, and surrounding communities, you'll need:
- A Bachelor of Science in pharmacy or a Doctor of Pharmacy from an accredited college of pharmacy
- No disqualifying criminal convictions
- 1,500 practical hours of experience under the supervision of a licensed physician
- A passing score on the North American Pharmacy Licensure Examination and the North Carolina Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination
You'll also have to complete an application and pay a fee. On the application, you'll attest to having committed no act that is grounds for denial.
Common Allegations Pharmacists Face in the Greensboro Area
The NCBOP investigates a wide range of potential violations. Here are some of the most common reasons Greensboro-area pharmacists face disciplinary action:
- Dispensing errors: Public safety relies on pharmacists being extra careful. Filling a prescription incorrectly, dispensing the wrong medication, or failing to catch a drug interaction can trigger a complaint, even if no harm occurred as a result.
- Drug diversion: Pharmacists regularly deal with controlled substances. Diverting medications for personal use or sale can lead to both criminal charges and license revocation.
- Substance use or criminal convictions: Even if no drug diversion occurred, getting a DUI or facing any other type of drug-related charge could lead to licensing action.
- Fraud or dishonesty: Behavior like forging prescriptions, insurance fraud, or misrepresenting your role in your profession can lead to licensing action.
- Unprofessional conduct: This broad category can include everything from rudeness to inappropriate relationships with patients or coworkers.
- Noncompliance with administrative rules: Pharmacists must follow all regulations outlined in state statutes, including fulfilling continuing education (CE) requirements, meeting license renewal deadlines, and supervising pharmacy technicians properly.
Even an anonymous complaint can trigger an investigation. You can reduce your risk of complaints by following regulations to the letter and making sure your license remains active at all times.
Greensboro Pharmacist Continuing Education Requirements
To retain your North Carolina pharmacist license, you'll need to accumulate 15 hours of continuing education (CE) each year. When it's time to renew your license, you'll have to report the CE hours you've completed, along with supporting documentation. You should hold onto this documentation for three years.
Of the 15 hours, five must be “contact hours,” which simply means that the course was live and interactive. This can include in-person seminars and workshops, and interactive seminars that allow real-time Q&A. If you take more than 15 hours in a year, you can apply up to five course credits to the next year's credit hours.
If you're facing CE-related issues, our team can help. We can review your records and see where you're falling short and look at previous years to see if excess hours might carry over. We can also steer you toward accredited courses that quickly report course results to help you meet requirements.
What to Expect from an NCBOP Investigation
The NCBOP maintains a full team of investigators, ready to review and process incoming complaints. The entire NCBOP investigations process can take up to six months, during which time investigators and staff will be busy behind the scenes. Here are the typical steps of an NCBOP investigation:
- Initial complaint and notification: Anyone can file a complaint through the NCBOP portal, but typically, they come from a customer, colleague, or an employer. Board staff will review the complaint to ensure it merits an investigation before assigning an investigator.
- Licensee notification: At the start of the investigation, the board will notify the licensee, who will be given a timeline for responding to the complaint. For complaints against pharmacies, the notification will go to the permitted agent listed on the facility's permit.
- Investigation and fact-finding: In the coming months, the investigator will begin gathering evidence. This can include reviewing all available documentation, obtaining video surveillance, and interviewing witnesses and coworkers. You may be asked to participate in an informal interview or produce additional records.
- Summary suspensions: If, at any point during the investigation, the board finds that public safety is at immediate risk, the license may be revoked pending a hearing. In this case, the pharmacist will be unable to practice until the matter is resolved.
- Formal disciplinary process: Once the investigation is complete, the board will schedule a hearing, during which evidence will be presented, witnesses may be called, and you'll be given the opportunity to state your case. This is where the board makes any disciplinary decisions, so this hearing is crucial.
- Final decision: At the conclusion of the hearing, the board will impose sanctions. You'll be notified in writing of the decision, and it will become part of the public record.
- Appeals: If you disagree with the decision, you have the right to judicial review. You'll need to file a petition within 30 days, stating what exceptions you're taking to the decision or the procedure that led to the decision.
The goal of any investigation is to determine whether you, the licensee, are in violation of the state's pharmacy laws. The investigator is not on your side. That's why it can help to have the Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team with you through as much of the process as possible.
How to Prepare for a Hearing Before the NCBOP
If your case goes to a hearing, you'll have one chance to make a case for yourself. Even though the process is administrative, it functions much like a courtroom trial, and the impression you make during the hearing can heavily influence the outcome of the trial.
In the weeks leading up to your hearing, you should familiarize yourself with the charges and the corresponding regulations or laws you're accused of violating. Gather all evidence, including statements from witnesses, and be prepared to present it to the board. You should also expect tough questions, and board members may even question your knowledge and judgment.
An experienced attorney can help you gather evidence and prepare for your upcoming hearing. The Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team regularly helps clients prepare for medical licensing board hearings. We can work with you throughout the process to help you get the best outcome possible.
Penalties for Greensboro-Area Pharmacists
The NCBOP has the authority to impose a variety of penalties on licensees. These may be enacted either through a formal hearing or an informal resolution. Penalties include:
- Letter of reprimand: This formal written warning will become part of your licensure record. It might also affect the outcome of any future complaints investigations on you.
- License restrictions: The board may place limits on your license. For example, you may be unable to handle controlled substances or supervise technicians. This penalty may be imposed independently or along with other sanctions.
- Remedial education: In some cases, the board opts to assign education or counseling. This penalty may be imposed independently or along with other sanctions.
- License suspension: A suspended license comes with a timeframe, and during that period, you won't be able to perform professional activities.
- License revocation: This is the worst-case scenario, typically reserved for more severe infractions. You'll lose your license permanently, with no way to get it back unless you successfully appeal.
- Refusal to issue license: The board can deny applicants based on factors like criminal history, but even once you have a license, you aren't guaranteed renewal. You may be denied for not meeting CE requirements or other regulatory infractions.
The Lento Law Firm Team does everything possible to minimize the impact of allegations against a licensed pharmacist. In some cases, we're able to have the challenges dismissed, but even when that isn't a possibility, we work to reduce penalties against a licensee, as well as to ensure your license remains as unaffected as possible.
Innocence Is No Guarantee
One common misconception is that you only need an attorney if you did something wrong. The harsh truth is that sometimes innocent parties face disciplinary action. Like other state licensing boards, the NCBOP operates using something called the “preponderance of the evidence.” This is different from court cases, where guilt is based on proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
Unfortunately, this means decisions are often based on investigator and board perceptions rather than concrete evidence. Documentation errors, miscommunication with staff, or even complaints from disgruntled patients can prompt disciplinary action. If your license is at risk, even if you believe the complaints are baseless, give us a call. It's important to have someone on your side who can help you protect the career you've worked so hard to build.
What Happens After Discipline Is Imposed?
Disciplinary action doesn't necessarily mean your career is over. Many pharmacists are able to continue working after probation or remediation. But your record can impact your ability to practice in your state, as well as any other areas of the U.S.
Once sanctions are imposed, though, the information will likely land on your record. This information is not only accessible to pharmacists and healthcare facilities, but it's also posted on the NCBOP website. That means disciplinary action can stay with you long after your hearing. We work with pharmacists to understand what they need to do to recover from any penalties the NCBOP imposes.
Why Greensboro Pharmacists Choose Our Firm
Whether you live in Summerfield, Oak Ridge, or one of the many other neighborhoods in the Triad area, you need a defense team that can help you protect your license. The Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team helps licensees maintain or restore their licenses after a complaint, investigation, or disciplinary action.
Here's why pharmacists throughout the Gate City trust us with their license defense:
- We focus on licensed professionals: Our practice is centered around license defense. This focus gives us extensive familiarity with state regulations and disciplinary processes.
- Experience with North Carolina Law: From Boone to the Outer Banks, all pharmacists must follow the same North Carolina laws and disciplinary procedures. Our team understands the statutes, regulations, and expectations that govern pharmacists in Greensboro and beyond.
- Tailored defense strategies: No two cases are alike. We realize this and work to personalize our approach based on the specific facts of each case.
- Clear communication and preparation: Communication is a key part of navigating any disciplinary investigation. We help licensees craft persuasive responses and prepare for hearings to give you the best shot at protecting your license.
- Discretion and professionalism: Having your license at risk is stressful enough. You don't want to worry about word spreading throughout your community. Our team prioritizes confidentiality, handling sensitive matters with the care your case deserves.
Whether you're working at an independent pharmacy like Ebers or for a retail chain like Harris Teeter, we can help you protect your credentials. It's important to understand the damage disciplinary action can do so that you can take measures to protect your career.
How the Lento Law Firm Team Can Help
Whether you live in Winston-Salem, Burlington, Summerfield, or another area in the Triad, having an NCBOP investigation in progress can be stressful. Our Professional License Defense Team has experience with North Carolina medical licensing boards and can help. If you're facing issues with your pharmacist license in North Carolina, contact us at 888-535-3686 or fill out this confidential contact form, and we'll be in touch.
