Whether it follows an incident or completely blindsides you, receiving a letter of complaint from your professional licensing board is intimidating and stressful. The way you respond to the allegations contained in the complaint can make all the difference in the outcome, but it’s hard to determine your best next step when the pressure is on.
At Landon White Law, we help licensed professionals across North Carolina protect their livelihoods when board complaints arise. Here’s what you need to know if that letter has arrived in your inbox or mailbox.
Most licensing boards require professionals to respond to a letter of complaint by a certain date, often within 15 to 30 days of receipt.
Though this certainly creates urgency, it’s important to avoid reacting emotionally or firing off a hasty response. Your initial statement can determine whether or not the licensing board decides to move forward with disciplinary proceedings or dismiss the matter completely, so it is your first and best opportunity to secure a good outcome.
It’s also important to be aware that the information you share at this juncture commits you to a specific set of facts and version of events. An unstrategic response can make it more difficult to defend yourself in the future if the board decides to move forward with a disciplinary hearing.
Complaint letters can vary by licensing board, but most include a few key components:
Read the letter thoroughly before taking action. If it seems vague or mired down with intimidating legal language, don’t panic — this doesn’t mean that the board has already made up its mind. In most cases, a letter of complaint is just the first step in a fact-finding process.
It’s smart to get help. Even if the complaint seems minor or baseless, keep in mind that it’s still a legal issue. Licensing boards have the authority to suspend, revoke, or place conditions on your license — actions that seriously threaten your career and reputation.
An attorney with experience in professional license defense can help you:
Waiting to get legal help until after your response is submitted (or worse: until you’re facing a disciplinary hearing) can limit your options, so involve a qualified attorney as early as possible.
If your board requests a written response, that document becomes part of the official record. It’s not the place to overshare or express frustration with the disciplinary process.
Instead, a strong response should be:
Emotional appeals and speculation can all work against you in your complaint response, especially if your board is trying to determine whether you acted professionally and ethically.
Receiving a letter of complaint does not mean that the board has already determined that you’ve done something wrong, and consulting with an attorney is not an admission of guilt.
Your response is your first opportunity to show that you take the matter seriously and are cooperating in good faith. It can help set the tone for the investigation, and in some cases, even lead to a swifter resolution. At Landon White Law, we’ve helped many professionals navigate complaints and protect their professional licenses. If you’ve received a letter of complaint, we’re here to assist you with a thoughtful, strategic response.
