In October 2024, the Iowa Board of Behavioral Health Professionals suspended Tina Miner's social worker license. Allegations of fraudulent billing and fictitious client files preceded this, including one for a client who had died.

The board suspended her license for three years after an administrative law judge found her guilty of misconduct.

Allegations—true or not—can lead to board investigations, putting your career at risk. Licensing boards can act without a criminal conviction. If a board acts against a professional, reversing that decision can be very difficult.

If you're facing disciplinary action, you need the right defense strategy now. The Lento Law Firm's Professional License Defense Team helps professionals fight back against board investigations and disciplinary actions. Call us today at 888-535-3686 or send us a message online to protect your future.

How Professionals Lose Their Licenses (Even Without Criminal Charges)

Many professionals assume they must commit serious misconduct to face a licensing board investigation, but that's not the case. Boards don't need a conviction or clear proof of wrongdoing—just a complaint or concern about professional conduct.

Licensing boards, unlike their criminal court counterparts, function with a less-defined scope of authority. Their practice of reviewing past conduct to construct a case implies that even those with a clean legal history may need to actively defend their right to maintain their license.

Here's how the process works:

• Someone files a complaint: These can come from a client, employer, or colleague. Sometimes, complaints come from regulatory agencies or even anonymous sources.
• The board launches an investigation: Licensing boards have broad authority over subpoena records. They may interview colleagues and employers and conduct formal disciplinary hearings that can determine the future of your career.
• Past issues resurface: Licensing boards don't just focus on the current complaint; they review a professional's entire record. Even old allegations that didn't lead to disciplinary action can be reconsidered, making it easier for the board to justify suspension or revocation.
• The board decides on punishment: A licensing board can halt or revoke a license even without a criminal conviction if its members think misconduct has happened.

Once a board takes disciplinary action, the damage is done—even if the professional wins their appeal.

Protect Your Career Before It's Too Late

A lot of professionals assume their insurance company or malpractice lawyer will defend them during board investigations.

Those lawyers do not have training in license defense.

They focus on financial settlements, not on defending your professional license. Their job is to minimize payouts, not to fight for your right to practice. Most malpractice attorneys have little to no experience handling licensing board investigations, which follow different rules and require a unique defense strategy.

That's why the Lento Law Firm's Professional License Defense Team exists. We have nationwide experience representing professionals in board hearings, licensing investigations, and disciplinary actions. Call us today at 888-535-3686 or send us a message here to fight for your career.