Social Media Etiquette for Licensed Professionals

For many professionals, social media is an essential business tool. Whether you’re sharing industry insights on LinkedIn, connecting with colleagues on Facebook, or showcasing your work on Instagram, your online presence can be a powerful medium for networking, advertising, and career growth.

When your work is an extension of yourself, the line between “personal” and “professional” can blur quickly online. What you post, like, or comment on may not just shape how others see your online persona; it can also affect how your licensing board evaluates your conduct.

A single careless post can have real-world consequences. Discover how to avoid common pitfalls and keep your online presence professional and compliant with your board’s standards of conduct. 

Why Your Online Presence Matters

Social media isn’t just about self-expression anymore — it’s part of your professional footprint. Clients, employers, and licensing boards can (and often do) look up professionals online. What they find can influence their trust in your competence, character, and ethics.

Social media is permanent and public. Even when your accounts are designated “private,” screenshots and shares can make content visible to unintended audiences. Old, long-forgotten posts from a different time in your life can resurface. The result is a permanent digital record that can outlast your intent.

Licensing boards take this seriously, and some specifically include online conduct standards in their disciplinary codes. A pattern of inappropriate or unprofessional posts could be seen as evidence of poor judgment — something that no licensed professional wants associated with their record.

The Consequences of Social Media Misconduct

Because they create an inherently verifiable paper trail, a moment of poor judgment online can quickly become an issue in your professional life. 

Common types of social media–related board complaints include:

• Breach of confidentiality: Sharing any identifiable client or patient information (even indirectly) can violate privacy laws or ethical rules. A nurse, for example, might think they’re posting a harmless “day in the life” story but inadvertently reveal details about a patient.
• Unprofessional conduct: Inappropriate language, controversial opinions, discriminatory remarks, or posts showing intoxication or illegal activity can all raise red flags for a board.
• False or misleading advertising: Professionals who use social media for business promotion must follow strict advertising rules. Exaggerated claims about outcomes, credentials, or “guaranteed results” can draw complaints.
• Boundary violations: Friending, adding or following clients or patients, commenting on their posts, or blurring personal and professional lines can create conflicts of interest.

It’s important to keep in mind that problematic online activity doesn’t have to occur on the job to affect your career. Licensing boards may interpret these behaviors as a failure to appropriately represent your profession. 

Avoiding Social Media Mistakes

Before you hit share, send, or publish, take a moment to consider all possible outcomes. As a general rule, if you wouldn’t say it in front of your licensing board, don’t post it online.

Avoid these common pitfalls: 

• Posting impulsively. Never post while angry, emotional, or under the influence. A moment of frustration can read as hostility or disrespect.
• Mixing personal and professional content. Sharing vacation photos alongside business updates may confuse your audience and inadvertently expose your personal life to scrutiny from clients or your licensing board. 
• Sharing work content. Never share clients’ or coworkers’ personal information or photos without explicit permission. 
• Commenting on an investigation or complaint. Responding publicly to a board action, accusation, or negative review can make matters worse.
• Arguing online. Heated debates, especially those about politics, religion, or other controversial issues, can alienate clients and undermine professionalism.
• Using your title in personal opinions. Adding “RN,” “Esq.,” or “LCSW” to a personal profile gives your online statements professional weight, even when you’re speaking casually. You could unintentionally be held liable for professional advice when you intended to interact as a layperson. 
• Sharing misinformation. Always verify before reposting articles or claims. In fields tied to public health or safety, platforming misinformation can become an ethics issue.

Smart Social Media Habits for Licensed Professionals 

When used thoughtfully, social media is a tremendous tool for networking and lead generation. While it’s important to respect its permanence and reach, there’s no need to avoid establishing a presence online.

 These habits can help you protect both your reputation and your license:

• Separate your accounts. Keep a professional profile for networking and a personal one for friends and family. Adjust privacy settings accordingly.
• Review your board’s policies. Many licensing boards publish guidance on acceptable online conduct, advertising, and confidentiality.
• Post with purpose. Share educational, industry-related, or positive community content. Avoid impulsive or reactionary posts.
• Think before you engage. Before commenting, ask yourself: Could this be misinterpreted? Would I be comfortable explaining this to a supervisor or board investigator?
• Audit your online presence. Google yourself regularly and review old posts. Remove anything that could be misread or outdated.
• Be mindful of advertising laws. If you promote your services online, use appropriate disclaimers and avoid testimonials that violate your board’s rules.
• Respect client boundaries. Never initiate online contact with clients, patients, or students unless it’s part of a clearly professional interaction.

Handled correctly, social media can actually enhance your credibility and help you build trust in your field. Professional, accurate, and ethical posts show that you are a thought leader who takes your responsibilities seriously.

Legal and Ethical Considerations 

Licensed professionals occupy a unique position. While they are certainly entitled to freedom of speech, the views they express can impact the status of their license. 

Licensing boards don’t punish opinions — they discipline behavior that reflects poorly on judgment, trustworthiness, or ethical responsibility. A comment or photo that might seem harmless to the average person can look different through a professional lens.

In these cases, perception matters more than your intent. If your post could be interpreted as unprofessional, disrespectful, or in violation of confidentiality, your board may have grounds to investigate.

What to Do If You’ve Been Reported Over a Post  

If your online activity has led to a board complaint or investigation, take these steps immediately:

1. Don’t delete or alter anything until you’ve gotten the advice of an experienced attorney. Removing posts can appear as an attempt to destroy evidence.
2. Avoid engaging publicly. Responding online or trying to explain yourself can backfire.
3. Document the situation. Take screenshots and note dates and contexts of posts in question.
4. Consult an experienced attorney. A lawyer who understands professional license defense can guide you through the process, help you prepare a response, and protect your rights.

A single mistake online doesn’t have to define your career, but how you respond to it matters a great deal.

Protect Your Professional Future Online

Social media is here to stay. For most professionals, it’s an indispensable part of daily life. With thoughtful boundaries and a clear understanding of your responsibilities, you can enjoy the benefits of connection and visibility without putting your license at risk.

If your social media activity has been questioned by your licensing board or you’ve received notice of a complaint, Landon White Law can help. Our firm defends licensed professionals across North Carolina and helps clients protect both their careers and their hard-earned reputations.