Physical therapists are an important part of Wyoming’s healthcare landscape. From the large, capital city of Cheyenne to smaller towns like Buffalo and Lander, physical therapists (PTs) help patients regain mobility, manage pain, and live healthier lives. But what happens when your Wyoming license is at risk?
The LLF National Law Firm Team understands the isolation and stress that can come from a notice of a complaint or investigation. We can help you with your license defense, whether you just got wind of the complaint or you’re preparing for your hearing. If your Wyoming physical therapist license is at risk, give us a call at 888-535-3686 or complete our confidential contact form.
Who Regulates Physical Therapy in Wyoming?
The Wyoming Department of Administration & Information’s Professional Licensing Boards Division oversees licensing for the state’s healthcare professions. Physical therapy practitioners fall under the Wyoming Board of Physical Therapy, which handles licensing, complaints, investigations, and disciplinary action.
The Wyoming Board of Physical Therapy has five board members, including:
- Three physical therapists, each a resident of the state who possesses an unrestricted license and has practiced for at least three years.
- One medical doctor who has practiced for at least five years in the state
- One public member who has resided in the state for at least three years
Wyoming Physical Therapist Investigations
The board accepts complaints through a complaint form available online. Anyone can lodge a complaint against a physical therapist, but anonymous complaints aren’t accepted, so the complainant must provide a name.
When a complaint comes in, board staff reviews it to make sure it includes the complainant’s name and signature and falls under its jurisdiction. If it qualifies for an investigation, it will be assigned to the appropriate investigator, who will interview witnesses and gather evidence. At the end of the investigation process, which can be lengthy, the investigator will turn over the files, along with recommendations, to the board for a final decision.
The final decision must be made through a board vote in a public meeting. Following that meeting, the board will notify both the licensee and the person who filed the complaint of the outcome of the investigation.
Settlements and Informal Conferences in Wyoming
In some cases, the board will request an informal hearing with the licensee at the conclusion of the investigation. This hearing is designed to discuss settling the matter, whether informally or formally.
At any point in the investigation, the investigator and the licensee may submit a settlement offer to the board. This settlement will allow you to skip the hearing in exchange for lesser sanctions. A licensee may offer to pay restitution, for instance, or enroll in continuing education instead of risking more severe discipline, like a license suspension or revocation.
Notification of Disciplinary Action in Wyoming
Whether you live in the state capital or on the other side of the state in Cody, if your case goes in front of the board, you’ll need to appear in person. This starts with a letter notifying you of pending disciplinary action. The notice will include:
- A brief description of the facts or conduct that led to the action
- When possible, an option to show compliance before further action is taken
If you’re offered the opportunity to show compliance, you’ll have 15 days from the date of mailing. In many cases, though, demonstrating compliance isn’t an option, at which point your notification will request a response by a deadline. Failure to respond will lead to the board taking action in default.
What Can Get a Physical Therapist in Trouble in Wyoming?
The board has the authority to discipline Wyoming PTs for a variety of infractions, including:
- Engaging in sexual misconduct, whether consensual or nonconsensual, with a patient.
- Fraud or deceit while obtaining a license, filing or signing records, or in the practice of physical therapy.
- Negligence or incompetence, including engaging in acts not authorized by the board, regardless of whether the patient was harmed as a result.
- Conviction of a felony or misdemeanor that adversely affects your ability to safely practice physical therapy.
- Unlawful use or possession of controlled substances or overusing alcoholic beverages.
- Treating patients beyond the scope of physical therapy practice, including failing to refer a patient whose ailment falls outside your training or ability.
- Having a license revoked, suspended, or refused in a jurisdiction outside of Wyoming.
- Paying fees for referrals.
- A court judgment of mental incompetency.
Continuing Education Requirements for Wyoming PTs
Whether you practice in Casper, Sheridan, or Jackson, you’ll need to meet certain requirements to renew your PT license every year. The biggest requirement relates to keeping your education up to date. Wyoming requires physical therapists to complete 30 credit hours of continuing competence units (CCUs) every two years to qualify for license renewal.
At least 15 CCUs must be achieved through attending conferences or courses offered live in real time by approved instructors. The remaining 15 credit hours can come through:
- Self-study through a correspondence course or online program
- Attendance at approved in-service education programs specific to safety or government regulations
- Teaching
- Authoring or reviewing a peer-reviewed publication
- Clinical instruction
- Physical therapy-related board or committee work
- Structured interactive group study
Disciplinary Action Against Wyoming Physical Therapists
The Wyoming Board of Pharmacy can impose several different disciplinary actions, depending on the severity of the infraction:
- Reprimand: For some PTs, the investigation leads to a simple letter of reprimand. This sanction allows you to keep practicing, but it can leave a black mark on your record, so it’s best to avoid it if possible.
- Restrict: In other cases, the board may vote to allow you to continue to practice but place restrictions on your license. You may be required to undergo specialized training, for instance.
- Refusal to renew: If your license is up for renewal, the board may vote to reject your application.
- Suspension: Instead of permanently withdrawing your license, the board may vote to temporarily suspend it.
- Revocation: The most severe sanction the board can impose is a license revocation. In this case, you lose your Wyoming license permanently with no way to recover it outside of a successful appeal.
Consequences of Disciplinary Action
Our Professional License Defense Team knows the long-lasting consequences disciplinary action can have. Here are some reasons you should work hard to defend your license:
- Permanent record damage: When disciplinary action is taken against a Wyoming healthcare professional’s license, it remains a part of that professional’s permanent record, visible through the state’s licensure verification system.
- Financial impact: Some PTs face fines as part of disciplinary action. You may even be ordered to pay restitution for any financial losses
- Reputation damage: Wyoming lists disciplinary actions directly on its website. While many of your friends and neighbors might not check out this list, it’s visible to any members of the public who visit the site.
- Loss of ability to practice: Whether temporarily or permanently, losing your license due to disciplinary action can cause serious harm. Even if you’re eventually able to get back to work, career opportunities can be limited after such serious disciplinary action.
- Mandatory remediation: You may be ordered to attend classes or go through clinical remediation to address perceived deficiencies. This likely will mean time away from family and doing things you love.
- Nationwide reporting: Disciplinary infractions are reported to the National Practitioner Data Bank, a resource used by hospitals, insurers, and licensing boards across the country. Once reported, it can impact your ability to get work, both in Wyoming and across state lines.
- Professional liability issues: Many medical professionals rely on liability insurance to protect their bank accounts. A disciplinary history can boost your premiums and affect your eligibility for insurance overall.
- Reputational harm: Whether someone searches databases for your record or not, news travels. You may find that your professional standing and relationships with colleagues suffer as a result of a disciplinary investigation.
The LLF National Law Firm Team understands the far-reaching impact that disciplinary action can have. We work to minimize any damage incoming complaints have on Wyoming’s physical therapists and can help you navigate the investigation process.
Your Rights as a Wyoming Physical Therapist
Healthcare providers in the Equality State have rights throughout any investigative and disciplinary process. Those rights include:
- The right to receive notice of allegations
- The right to review and respond to evidence
- The right to legal representation
- The right to a hearing
- The right to appeal adverse decisions
Why You Need an Attorney to Defend Your Wyoming PT License
Can you navigate a board investigation and hearing without legal representation? Sure. Is it the best idea? Typically not. Here are some ways representing yourself could put you in a worse position when the board is deciding on legal action:
- You may accidentally admit fault: Your responses to the board can be used against you, particularly if you accidentally use language that sounds like an admission of guilt. Our Professional License Defense Team can work with you to craft a response that avoids self-incrimination.
- The board is not on your side: This isn’t to paint the board in a bad light. The board’s primary goal is to protect Wyoming residents, which is admirable. But if you’re accused of doing something they see as putting residents at risk, you’re at a disadvantage without someone looking out for your interests.
- You might miss crucial deadlines: Every request from the board comes with a deadline. Missing even one of them could result in a missed opportunity to tell your side of the story at best or a default judgment at worst.
- You’re likely new to board processes: The Wyoming Board of Physical Therapy operates under a set of complicated rules and regulations, and most PTs are unfamiliar with the finer details. The LLF National Law Firm Team fully understands Wyoming administrative law and can help you navigate the process.
- You could accept unfavorable terms: The board may offer a settlement, at which point you’ll be left to decide, on your own, whether you’re better off accepting it, negotiating better terms, or proceeding with a hearing. Our team can explain your options and help advocate for the best outcome.
- You risk harsher penalties than necessary: Without an experienced advocate on your side, you may face harsher penalties than the situation merits. Our team can help you state your case, along with presenting mitigating evidence and character references, that could lessen any penalties you face.
The decision to seek legal counsel is a personal one, but having support throughout a license investigation can be a big help. The LLF National Law Firm Professional License Defense Team has experience with physical therapy licensing boards across the U.S., and we can help ensure your rights are protected throughout the process.
How We Can Help Wyoming Physical Therapists with Licensing Issues
Defending your license goes beyond stating your side of the story. Whether you’re in a populous city like Laramie or a more rural town like Dubois, it’s important to remain professional and responsive through the entire process.
Here’s how our team can help with that:
- Strategic guidance: We’ll take a look at the allegations, explain your rights, and help you craft a thoughtful response to the board.
- Evidence gathering: The more supporting documentation you can provide, the better. We’ll help you gather records, patient charts, and other information to strengthen your case.
- Settlement negotiations: We can work with you to craft a reasonable settlement that will work for you. If the board agrees to settle, we’ll negotiate to get the best possible outcome.
- Preparation for hearings: Your appearance in front of the board can make a big difference in the final decision. We’ll help you prepare statements and gather supporting documentation.
- Mounting appeals: If the decision doesn’t go in your favor, we can appeal to possibly reduce your sanctions.
- Protecting your future: Once the process is complete, we can help you safeguard your career by helping you seek reinstatement or restore your reputation.
The LLF National Law Firm Team and Wyoming PT Investigations
You’ve spent years building your career as a physical therapist. A license investigation can threaten to derail that career, but it doesn’t have to. With the right response, you can reduce sanctions and, in some cases, avoid them altogether.
The LLF National Law Firm Team understands Wyoming law and PT board procedures and can help you make your way through the process. Let us help you protect what you’ve built. Call us today at 888-535-3686 or contact us through this form.