Mississippi physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) dedicate years to earning their licenses through education, training, and service to patients. But even a single complaint can put all of that work at risk. Whether it's a simple documentation mistake, a misunderstanding with a patient, or a report from a colleague, it can lead to a disciplinary investigation that threatens your livelihood.
Many PTs and PTAs don't even realize there's an issue until they're contacted by investigators. At that point, the stakes are high, and you may be facing:
- Sudden loss of income and overwhelming financial stress
- Restrictions on your practice that can damage your hard-earned reputation
- A suspended license that puts your career on hold
- In the worst case, permanent license revocation
At the Lento Law Firm, we understand how deeply personal and stressful this process is. Our Professional License Defense Team is here to guide and support you through Mississippi's disciplinary system with skill and compassion. You don't have to face this alone. Call us today at 888-535-3686 or reach out through our contact form. We're ready to stand by your side.
Mississippi State Board of Physical Therapy
In Mississippi, PTs and PTAs must go through the State Board of Physical Therapy (“the Board”) to get their licenses. It's the Board's job to make sure only qualified, professional, and lawful physical therapy practice takes place in the state. The Mississippi Physical Therapy Practice Act is statewide legislation that applies to all PTs and PTAs, and the Board makes sure that licensees are compliant with these standards.
The Board also:
- Investigates complaints and alleged misconduct concerning licensed PTs and PTAs
- Holds hearings and adjudicates against licensees
- Coordinates with the state Attorney General's Office to enforce judgments
- Publishes annual disciplinary actions and reports to national and federal databases
The Mississippi State Board of Physical Therapy also has the authority to inspect physical therapy facilities, issue subpoenas for information or witnesses as part of investigations, and run criminal background checks for license applicants.
Anyone can submit a complaint about a licensee on the Board's website as well. The Board's investigator must process every complaint received to determine if it concerns a current licensee and whether the allegations are a possible violation of the Mississippi Physical Therapy Practice Act.
If the Board takes disciplinary action against you after a disciplinary investigation and hearing, that action will be published online. Your name, license number, reason for disciplinary action, and license status will be available for any member of the public to see.
Facing a disciplinary investigation in Mississippi can feel overwhelming and the impact can last for years. Even if you keep your license or are later reinstated, the record of sanctions may still follow you, affecting future job opportunities and patient trust. If you're under investigation for unprofessional conduct or any violation, don't wait. Reach out to our Professional License Defense Team as soon as possible. We're here to help you protect your career and peace of mind.
Grounds for Disciplinary Action for PTs and PTAs in Mississippi
As a licensed PT or PTA in Mississippi, you could face disciplinary action from the Board if you're found responsible for a rule violation, such as:
- Negligence in the practice or performance of physical therapy
- Dishonorable, unethical, or unprofessional conduct to deceive, defraud, or harm the public in the course of professional services or activities
- Perpetrating or cooperating in fraud or material deception in applying for or renewing a license
- Being convicted of any crime that has a substantial relationship to your activities and services
- Being convicted of any crime that involves misstatement, fraud, or dishonesty
- Being convicted of a felony in Mississippi or the United States
- Providing unacceptable performance personally or while supervising others due to negligence
- Continuing to practice even if you're declared unfit
- Disciplinary action taken against your license in another state
- Differential, detrimental treatment against any person because of race, color, creed, sex, religion, or national origin
- Lewd conduct in connection with professional services or activities
- False or misleading advertising
- Permitting unlicensed persons to perform services for which a license is required
- Violation of any probation requirements from the Board
- Revealing confidential information except as required by law
- Failing to inform patients that they no longer need your services
- Charging excessive or unreasonable fees
- Treating health conditions by any means other than physical therapy
- Violations of the code adopted by the American Physical Therapy Association
Imagine you're doing your best in a busy PT clinic and, in the rush of the day, you forget to document a patient's condition change before adjusting their treatment. Weeks later, you try to correct the record, thinking it's a harmless update. But what seems like a simple fix can be seen as falsifying medical records, a serious issue that could lead to disciplinary action or even risk your license.
Often, you may not realize you've violated a rule until you're already under scrutiny. Once the Board begins investigating, even unintentional mistakes can lead to harsh consequences.
That's why it's important to have the Lento Law Firm by your side. Our Professional License Defense Team understands the stress you're under and knows how to advocate for your integrity, protect your license, and guide you through every step of the process with compassion and experience.
Potential Consequences for Rule Violations
If you're found responsible for committing one or more of the violations listed above, or another offense that's prohibited by the Board, you may face serious sanctions. These include:
- License revocation
- License suspension
- License censure
- Monetary penalty of up to $5,000 for a first offense, $1,000 for a second offense, and $5,000 for a third and subsequent offenses
- Probation
- Refusal to issue or renew a license
- Revoke probation and issue another sanction when probation requirements haven't been filled
- License restriction
- Voluntary license surrender (with the Board's consent)
Before taking any of these actions, the Board must provide you with a hearing and due process. You have to be allowed a chance to know the charges against you and defend yourself. However, some circumstances allow the Board to suspend a license temporarily without a hearing, for up to 20 days.
The Investigation and Hearing Process for PT Rule Violations
The Mississippi State Board of Physical Therapy must follow the Physical Therapy Practice Act when investigating complaints and disciplining licensees. There's a standard process to follow, which includes complaint review, investigation, settlement, and administrative hearings.
Complaint Procedures
Once a complaint is received and reviewed, the Complaint Committee decides if it constitutes a potential violation or not. If it does, the Board will provide you with a copy of the complaint. This notice must be sent no more than 30 days after the Board receives the complaint. However, if the Complaint Committee decides that informing you of the complaint will somehow compromise the investigation, they don't have to notify you.
Once you receive notice of the complaint from the Board, you have 20 days to file a written response and provide the required documents. If needed, you and your attorney can ask for an extension of this deadline. After the Complaint Committee receives your response, the Board sends it to the person who filed the complaint (the complainant). The complainant then has seven days to submit a written response to the Board.
Investigation
The next stage of the process is a formal investigation by the Complaint Committee. They can hire an expert, consultant, or private investigator to gather all the relevant information and prepare a report. The Complaint Committee then either recommends filing a formal complaint to the Board or dismisses the matter.
After receiving the Complaint Committee's recommendation, the Board must take action. It can propose an informal resolution, schedule an administrative hearing, refer the matter to another licensing board, or agree to a voluntary license surrender offered by the licensee.
Settlement by Informal Proceedings
Rather than having a hearing, you and the Board may be able to resolve the matter with an informal solution. It involves a conference, where both parties discuss the complaint and can agree to enter into a proposed stipulation, consent order, or other arrangement for disciplinary action or resolution.
If you're a PT or PTA in Mississippi facing a Board investigation, an informal resolution can be a helpful way to resolve the matter without going through the stress and uncertainty of a formal hearing.
At the Lento Law Firm, our Professional License Defense Team takes the time to understand your story and the circumstances surrounding your case. After a careful review, we'll walk you through your options. We'll let you know whether negotiating a fair agreement or moving forward with a hearing is the best course of action.
Administrative Hearing
Hearings can be led by the Board or a designated hearing officer, who oversees the process and ensures fairness. During the hearing, you're allowed to have an attorney represent you. You and your attorney can present evidence to help prove your case during the hearing.
Once the hearing is over, the Board enters a final decision. If the sanction is restriction, suspension, or revocation, you must surrender your license to the Board immediately. The Board also has the power to demand payment of fees required to investigate and adjudicate your disciplinary case, including process service, court reports, expert witnesses, investigators, and attorney fees.
Appeals
If you don't agree with the Board's decision, you have the right to appeal. You have 30 days from the date the Board mails or delivers its written decision to file an appeal in the chancery court. You must file in the county where you live or, if you live out of state, in the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County. The chancery judge reviews the record, hears any legal arguments, and may affirm the Board's ruling, change it, or send the matter back for more proceedings.
If you still feel the outcome is wrong after the chancery court review, you may appeal again, this time to the Mississippi Supreme Court. During the appeal process, you can ask the court for a stay (a temporary pause) on any discipline so you can keep practicing while the case is pending.
Why Having Our Professional License Defense Attorneys Makes a Difference
Racing a complaint against your license can feel frightening and overwhelming, but ignoring it isn't the answer. Even if the allegations are completely untrue, the complaint won't go away on its own. Failing to respond may be seen by the Board as a lack of cooperation or an admission of guilt.
The sooner you take action, the more options you have. While you're hoping it will all blow over, investigators may already be collecting records, speaking to witnesses, and forming a case against you. Without a response from your side, the story they build may go unchallenged.
At the Lento Law Firm, we understand how much your license means to you. That's why our Professional License Defense Team moves quickly to protect your career. When we're involved early, we can help shape the investigation, tell your side of the story, and often resolve issues before they ever become formal charges. If things have already escalated, we're still ready to stand by you and fight for your future.
Hiring a lawyer doesn't make you look guilty. It shows you take the situation seriously and are committed to resolving it the right way. The Board expects professionals to come prepared, and they value experienced legal counsel who can communicate clearly and respectfully on your behalf.
Call the Lento Law Firm for PT License Defense
Trying to face this process alone can leave you vulnerable and unprepared. You don't have to carry that burden. We've helped PTs and PTAs across Mississippi and the country protect their licenses and move forward. We're ready to help you, too.
Call our Professional License Defense Team today at 888-535-3686 or send us a message via our confidential intake form so we can get started discussing your case.
