A career transition can create licensing issues when changes in employment, practice setting, specialty, or professional responsibilities affect how a licensed professional meets board requirements.
The next chapter of your career may come with new professional obligations that are easy to overlook. Changing jobs doesn’t change your licensure status, but the rules governing your practice can look different depending on how and where you work.
Whether your transition is a welcome change or the result of an unplanned separation, looking ahead can protect your professional license and make the transition smoother.
Before you make a significant career change, it’s smart to be aware of how your new circumstances may impact your professional obligations. Your license to practice is generally tied to you, not your employer — but your practice setting can influence how you’re permitted to use that license.
Depending on your profession and jurisdiction, a change may affect requirements involving:
For example, a professional moving from a large organization into an independent practice may suddenly be responsible for requirements that used to be handled by their employer. Similarly, someone moving into a new specialty may need additional training, certification, or supervision before taking on clients.
Don’t just assume that because you were permitted to perform a particular function in one position, the same rules automatically apply in your new role. Review the requirements of your licensing board before the transition whenever possible.
Professionals change employers for many reasons, and most transitions are amicable and routine. That being said, how you leave your current position can potentially impact your standing with your licensing board.
When resigning, provide appropriate notice and make reasonable arrangements for continuity of care or service. Follow applicable workplace policies and professional obligations regarding records, patients or clients, equipment, and other professional materials.
Take care to distinguish between your own records and information that belongs to your employer. Documentation related to your credentials and employment history may be appropriate to take with you, but confidential client information and proprietary documents likely aren’t. When in doubt, review your contract and employer policies. You may be required to retain client records as the licensed professional for a period of time even if you separate from the employer.
Finally, keep your communications regarding the transition courteous and professional, even if you’re feeling frustrated. Emails, text messages, social media posts, and conversations with coworkers can become relevant to future disputes or complaints, so avoid making any statements you wouldn’t want to revisit.
Changing specialties can involve more than updating your resume or accepting a new job title. The responsibilities associated with a new specialty may require different training, certifications, or supervision.
Before taking on new responsibilities, consider whether they fall within your authorized scope of practice and whether your licensing board has additional requirements for that area of work. This is particularly important when the transition involves procedures, service modalities, or responsibilities that were not part of your previous role.
Be aware that your employer’s internal credentialing requirements may not necessarily be the same as your licensing board’s. Refer to the board’s rules rather than relying solely on workplace policies for guidance.
Moving into private practice can give professionals greater independence, but it also comes with many responsibilities that may have previously belonged to an employer.
In addition to providing professional services, an independent practitioner may need to manage:
Before going solo, identify which responsibilities are new to you and make sure you have appropriate systems in place to manage them. Even if you’ve spent years practicing successfully within an established organization, you’ll likely encounter brand new regulatory challenges as an independent practitioner. Anticipate them early to avoid issues with your licensing board.
Not every career transition is voluntary. Terminations, layoffs, and disagreements with employers are difficult situations that can create more licensing risks than typical resignations.
An employment dispute does not automatically equal a licensing violation, but the two issues can overlap if an employer alleges misconduct, incompetence, dishonesty, patient or client harm, or another form of professional wrongdoing.
If your departure becomes contentious, it’s wise to consider the conflict from the perspective of future employers as well as your licensing board. If you learn that an employer intends to report you to the board, or if you are asked to respond to allegations that could affect your license, consider obtaining legal advice.
A professional license defense attorney can also review any documents you are asked to sign relating to your termination. Separation agreements, statements concerning alleged misconduct, and consent orders can affect future proceedings as well as your employability, so give them due consideration before you endorse them.
Embracing a new phase of your career doesn’t necessarily put your professional license in jeopardy, but it’s important to be aware of how the change may impact your existing obligations.
Before making your next move, review the licensing requirements that apply to your new role and make a plan to fully satisfy them. If the transition is contentious or involuntary, addressing issues early can help prevent them from becoming licensing problems down the line. An experienced professional defense license attorney can help you navigate challenging circumstances and safeguard not just your immediate employability, but your good standing with your board.
A successful career transition prioritizes your professional license and reputation. The team at Landon White Law is here to help you move forward in the way that’s right for you.
