Being a board-certified psychiatrist in Louisiana means you’re held to the highest professional and ethical standards. Your career depends on the trust of your patients, colleagues, and the public.
But that trust can be jeopardized by a single complaint. One allegation can put your medical license, reputation, and livelihood at risk. A simple billing mistake, forgetting to update a patient’s record, or general misconduct—there’s a long list of violations that you could be accused of and punished for.
At the LLF National Law Firm, we know what it takes to protect your license. Our Professional License Defense Team defends medical professionals in complex disciplinary proceedings throughout Louisiana. We understand the regulations, the process, and how to effectively challenge accusations so you can hold on to your career.
Don’t leave your future to chance. If you’re under scrutiny, contact the LLF National Law Firm today at 888-535-3686. You can also fill out our intake form, and a member of our team will reach out to you.
Psychiatrist Licensure and Discipline in Louisiana
As a psychiatrist in Louisiana, you can’t practice without the approval of the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (LSBME or “the Board”). The Board has broad authority to investigate complaints, impose disciplinary measures, and suspend or revoke your medical license.
LSBME’s mission is to protect public health and safety, so it often acts quickly and decisively when a complaint is filed. Even a single allegation can trigger a formal investigation. From there, you could face anything from fines and mandated monitoring to full license suspension or revocation. These actions become part of your permanent disciplinary record. In most cases, they’re also made publicly available through the Board’s online database.
The consequences are serious. Public listing on the Board’s disciplinary actions page can damage your professional reputation and threaten your future in psychiatry. We’ve seen skilled, honest psychiatrists face devastating fallout simply because they were unprepared when the Board started investigating.
If you’ve been notified of a complaint, now is the time to act. The LLF National Law Firm’s Professional License Defense attorneys understand how the Louisiana Board operates and know how to protect your medical license, your name, and your career.
What Can the Louisiana Board Investigate You For?
Psychiatrists are bound by Louisiana law to practice in a professional manner and follow all rules set out by the LSBME. The Physician Practice Act states what psychiatrists can get in trouble for, and what process the Board follows when there’s an accusation.
Actions that could lead to disciplinary penalties for psychiatrists include:
- Felony conviction (state or federal)
- Any criminal charge related to the practice of medicine
- Refusal, suspension, or revocation of a license in another state
- Failure to report personal violations within 30 days (unless enrolled in an approved physician health program)
- Fraud, deceit, or perjury in obtaining a license or diploma
- Providing false testimony or false information to the Board
- Making false or misleading claims to patients, insurers, or government agencies
- Falsifying or altering medical records
- Misrepresenting board certification or qualifications
- Habitual or recurring abuse of drugs or alcohol
- Inability to practice safely due to physical or mental impairment (including aging, illness, or substance use)
- Refusal to submit to physical or psychological evaluations when required
- Prescribing or dispensing controlled substances without legitimate medical justification
- Practicing medicine while impaired by substances
- Sexual misconduct
- Disruptive behavior in professional settings
- Patient abandonment
- Gross overcharging for services
- Exercising undue influence over patients
- Failing to maintain proper medical records
- Improper delegation or supervision of medical tasks
- Enabling or working with unlicensed practitioners
- Practicing below accepted medical standards
- Repeated substandard care
- Incompetency due to lack of training or skill
- False, misleading, or deceptive advertising or self-promotion
- Soliciting or accepting kickbacks or referral fees for prescriptions or patient referrals
- Using a PA without proper approval
- Allowing a PA to operate beyond their authorized scope
- Employing or supporting a PA who has committed violations
- Persistent violations of public health laws (e.g., related to communicable diseases)
- Violating Board rules or regulations
- Any conduct considered immoral or deceptive
- Failure to cooperate with the Board during investigations
While some violations are straightforward, others may be more open to interpretation. What exactly constitutes “immoral” or “unbecoming” conduct? These rules are left intentionally vague so that LSBME can use its discretion to determine if practicing psychiatrists are a public safety threat.
If you hire the LLF National Law Firm as your Professional License Defense attorneys, we won’t let the Board shape the narrative however they want. We’ll build a clear and convincing defense for you to ensure that the Board is following its own rules.
The Penalties You Could Face for a Conduct Violation
If LSBME finds you responsible for a violation of the Physician Practice Act or another rule, you could face one or more of the following sanctions:
- Denial of license or permit
- Suspension of license or permit
- Revocation of license or permit
- Probation or other restrictions placed on a license or permit
- Fines up to $5,000 per violation
- Payment of investigation and hearing costs
If you get fined by the Board, they also have the authority to get a monetary judgment from the courts to collect the unpaid fines. Once LSBME issues a final decision, it also becomes public record. Courts, licensing agencies, and third parties can also receive notification of the final order.
Another option for resolving an accusation against you is a consent order. Essentially, it allows you to agree to certain findings and penalties to avoid having a formal hearing. The Board can’t impose this option on you; you must enter voluntarily. For some accused psychiatrists, a consent order is the best way to resolve their case. It’s not the right choice for every situation, however. If you work with the LLF National Law Firm, our attorneys will be able to tell you the best course of action in your case.
The Disciplinary Process for Psychiatrists Accused of Misconduct
The Board cannot impose a serious penalty on you (such as suspending or revoking your medical license) indefinitely without first giving you the opportunity to defend yourself. LSBME is also required to follow the Physician Practice Act, and that includes following the disciplinary procedures that are spelled out there.
Step 1: Complaint Filed
The process begins when a patient, colleague, hospital, law enforcement, or other agency files a complaint. The Board can also initiate a review based on credible information or a board vote. The Board only investigates when it believes a possible violation of the law or rules may have occurred.
Step 2: Preliminary Review
The Board conducts a confidential, internal review of the complaint to check all relevant files and medical records. It also gathers initial facts to decide whether a full investigation is needed. This preliminary review should only take 90 days, but it can take longer if the Board approves an extension.
Step 3: Formal Investigation
If enough evidence exists, the Board votes to open a formal investigation. You must be notified within five business days, including a summary of the allegations. You will have the opportunity to respond to this notification with help from your attorney.
Step 4: Full Discovery
Before the hearing starts, there’s an initial phase called discovery. During this time, you have the right to:
- Receive all non-confidential records and evidence the Board has gathered
- Request documents and issue written questions to the Board’s investigator
- Access any potentially exculpatory evidence (evidence that could clear you)
Step 5: Option for Consent Order
As mentioned, you may be able to enter into a consent order with the Board. It remains an option until the hearing takes place. Consent orders can include fines, monitoring, or restrictions on your license. They aren’t automatically made public unless the Board chooses to disclose them.
Step 6: Administrative Complaint and Hearing
If your case moves beyond investigation and isn’t resolved by consent order, it goes to a formal adjudicatory hearing. This hearing is a legal proceeding where the Board determines whether you violated state medical laws or regulations and what penalties, if any, should follow.
During the hearing, both sides can give an opening statement, present evidence, cross-examine each other’s witnesses, and give closing arguments. You should also have the right to face your accuser, unless the LSBME has granted them anonymity.
A hearing panel made up of one or more Board members conducts the hearing. This panel hears the case but doesn’t make the final decision. After the hearing, the panel submits its findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the full Board.
After reviewing the hearing panel’s report, the full Board may:
- Adopt the panel’s recommendations
- Modify or reject the recommendations
- Make new findings and issue its own decision
The final decision is based on a preponderance of the evidence, meaning more likely than not that a violation occurred.
Step 8: Appeal
You can appeal the Board’s decision to a Louisiana district court, but you must provide financial security (such as a bond or mortgage) to support your appeal. No automatic stay is granted unless you show that the public won’t be harmed by delaying enforcement.
The district doesn’t hold a new trial; it reviews the existing record from your LSBME hearing to check if the proper procedures were followed. You and your attorney may appear before the appeal judge to make oral arguments, but you can’t present new evidence.
The Board’s disciplinary process is complex. One wrong move, one missed deadline, and you could ruin your chances at a favorable outcome. Having our Professional License Defense attorneys represent you can give you peace of mind and give you the confidence you need to get through the disciplinary proceedings.
Showing up to the hearing with an attorney also signals to the Board that you’re taking this matter seriously. The Board doesn’t expect you to try and handle the case on your own; they prefer working with lawyers who know how the rules and the process work.
How the LLF National Law Firm Can Help Psychiatrists Under Investigation
LSBME takes action quickly. Their job is to protect the public, and they have the power to suspend, restrict, or revoke your license based on a relatively low burden of proof. There is no automatic presumption of innocence until proven guilty here. To find you responsible for a violation, the Board doesn’t have to prove as convincingly as a criminal prosecutor would in a court of law.
That puts you at a serious disadvantage if you try to face the Board alone.
Hiring our Professional License Defense attorneys is the smartest way to protect your rights and your career because we understand medical license defense in Louisiana. Our team can:
- Represent you in all communications with the LSBME
- Analyze the complaint and build a strong legal defense tailored to your case
- Gather supporting evidence and witness testimony
- Negotiate directly with the Board for a dismissal or reduced penalties
- Advocate for favorable terms in any proposed consent order
- Defend yourself at a formal disciplinary hearing
- Appeal a negative decision if needed
- Assist with license reinstatement if your license has already been revoked
Your career and reputation are too important to leave to chance. If you’re under investigation by LSBME, get legal counsel from the LLF National Law Firm on your side immediately.
Contact Our Professional License Defense Attorneys Today
The LLF National Law Firm defends board-certified psychiatrists across Louisiana. Our team handles cases in every major city, including:
- New Orleans
- Baton Rouge
- Shreveport
- Metairie
- Lafayette
- Lake Charles
- Bossier City
- Monroe
We represent psychiatrists working in hospitals and systems across the state, and we’re ready to assist you no matter where you’re located in Louisiana.
Don’t let an accusation ruin all the years of schooling, training, and hard work you put into becoming a psychiatrist. Let our Professional License Defense Team argue on your behalf so you can focus on your work and your patients. We know how to handle the Board, and we’re ready to advocate tirelessly for you.
Call 888-535-3686 to schedule a consultation and discuss your options. You can also reach us by filling out a confidential consultation form on our website.