The California Board of Audiology, Hearing Aid Dispenser, and Speech-Language Pathology receives numerous complaints about its licensed professionals annually. These may include public grievances, mandatory self-disclosures, mandated court reports, and other regulatory and licensing agency reports.

If you are under investigation or facing disciplinary action by the licensing board, you should seek legal assistance immediately. San Diego License Attorney offers skilled representation to help licensees avoid penalties or consequences that could affect their careers. Contact us if you receive a notice of a complaint from the board. We can quickly begin our investigation and gather all relevant information to resolve your case.

The Duties of a Speech-Language Pathologist

A speech-language pathologist, commonly known as a speech therapist, diagnoses and treats communication disorders. They provide essential help to patients with speech impairments. Most people take for granted their ability to hear and speak. However, numerous individuals need help communicating effectively, even at a basic level.

Speech-language pathologists intervene by offering their expertise and skills to help these individuals. They can help individuals with fluency, pronunciation, rhythm, and other speech disorders. Speech-language pathologists can also offer accent modification as an optional service, but it is not viewed as a means to correct a disorder or impairment. They do this to help individuals change their or adapt to regional or foreign accents.

You must undergo strict academic study and hands-on training to obtain your professional license. The investment in effort, educational and license costs, and time could be substantial even before you begin your practice. This is why it can be unfair to have your professional future unexpectedly put at risk due to a potentially unfounded complaint.

The Role of an Audiologist

As an audiologist, you specialize in diagnosing, managing, and treating issues related to hearing, balance, or the ears. Your field of study, audiology, focuses on treating balance issues and hearing conditions. Audiologists assess the nature and extent of a patient’s hearing loss and develop a suitable treatment plan.

When individuals notice changes in their hearing or worry about potential hearing loss, they seek your help. You have obtained the qualifications to become a certified audiologist through dedication, rigorous training, and extensive education. Your unwavering commitment drives you to consistently provide the highest quality of service. However, it is common for patients or coworkers to file complaints against you, potentially jeopardizing your professional career.

The Role Of a Hearing Aid Dispenser

These are specialists licensed to sell hearing aids. Patients may need hearing aids if an accident, long-term illness, or aging causes hearing loss. This device will help them resume their normal functioning and enjoyment of life.

Hearing aid dispensers must assess a patient’s hearing loss and advise on the most suitable hearing aids to improve their hearing. To accomplish this effectively, you need a comprehensive understanding of the various hearing aid options available. You must also communicate clearly with patients about each aid’s specific features and determine which best suits their needs.

While practicing, some patients may express dissatisfaction with their results or claim you made an incorrect diagnosis. Facing any formal accusation that threatens your career is not uncommon.

If you are a licensed California hearing aid dispenser, speech-language pathologist, or audiologist and your livelihood or professional license is at risk, seek help from an experienced license attorney promptly. The Board oversees professionals in speech-language pathology, hearing aid dispenser, and audiology. They handle grievances against licensed professionals with utmost seriousness. It can enforce license revocations, suspensions, and other disciplinary actions that may impact your future career.

A proficient license attorney can advocate for you, securing the most favorable result for the case. The lawyer may also successfully safeguard your livelihood and license, enabling you to continue practicing even during an investigation.

The Role and Responsibility of the Licensing Board

The speech-language pathology, hearing aid dispensers, and audiology board was established primarily to safeguard patients and the general public from unsafe and inefficient practices, not to benefit license holders.

When a complaint is filed in writing or through the consumer affairs website, the board remains impartial and does not take sides. Additionally, it may quickly trust allegations and overlook evidence supporting those being complained against.

The Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board in California licenses individuals who meet competency standards for speech-language pathology, audiology, and hearing aid dispensing practices. The Board also creates regulations, issues and renews licenses, suspends and revokes licenses, and imposes disciplinary sanctions when needed.

The Board’s guidelines are recommended for administrative law judges presiding over hearings related to allegations or grievances against the defendant. They serve as the general guidelines for enforcing disciplinary measures.

However, your license defense attorney and prosecution can introduce aggravating and mitigating factors, which may increase or decrease the disciplinary measures imposed for a specific offense.

Potential violations committed by an audiologist, a hearing aid dispenser, and a speech-language pathologist that could lead to disciplinary action include the following:

  • Insurance fraud
  • Unprofessional conduct
  • Substance abuse during work hours or patient care
  • Deceptive or fraudulent advertising
  • Employing unlicensed assistants illegally
  • Failing to offer treatment services or demonstrating incompetence or negligence
  • Accepting compensation for referrals
  • Facing professional sanctions from another state’s board
  • Accepting bribes for endorsing specific hearing aids
  • Failing to comply with required professional experience regulations
  • Having a conviction related to job responsibilities

A professional license attorney can vigorously advocate for your interests. They can provide all relevant evidence and testimony to help you achieve the most favorable outcome for your case. Your attorney also possesses the knowledge and skills to communicate and negotiate effectively with the board when required.

Potential Penalties Imposed By the Board

The board has the authority to enforce various forms of discipline, including:

A Citation or Fine

Receiving a citation or fine is the mildest form of disciplinary action. However, the fines could sometimes be hefty. Citations are typically made public, potentially impacting your ability to find new patients or retain older clients. You should strive to avoid receiving a citation.

Probation

While going on probation may not be ideal, it prevents a complete revocation and allows you to continue practicing. You must adhere to certain probationary terms and conditions when faced with this disciplinary action. Failing to comply with these terms may result in license revocation and other disciplinary actions.

Public Reprimand

These are similar to receiving citations without a monetary penalty. The information is publicly available on the Board’s website and accessible to prospective clients.

Revocation or Suspension

If your license is suspended or revoked, you will lose the ability to practice in California. Revocation and suspension differ in their duration. A revocation is indefinite, and a licensee loses their right to practice in that field, while a license suspension lasts for a specific period, such as several years or months.

Our lawyers are knowledgeable about the internal workings of the administrative process. They possess the expertise to challenge the accusations you currently face and effectively negotiate for reduced disciplinary actions, if necessary.

What Happens When a Complaint is Filed Against You?

Individuals can file a complaint with the governing body overseeing speech-language pathology, audiology, and hearing aid dispensing professionals. However, the actual investigation begins when the board does not immediately dismiss the allegations against the licensee. If a complaint seems credible, the board may conduct sting operations to gather additional evidence against the license holder under investigation.

If you are the subject of an investigation, you will receive an investigation notice from the board. You should promptly seek counsel from a seasoned license attorney upon receipt. Refrain from communicating with the investigation team or licensing commission until you have consulted your lawyer.

Your license attorney can quickly respond to the notice of Investigation by submitting a Notice of Defense before the deadline expires. Also, they can contest any temporary license suspensions that the licensing agency could have enforced. A temporary suspension can cause you to be out of work for as long as the Board investigates your practice. Investigations can often last for several years or months.

If the board becomes convinced they have a valid case, they will issue you an Accusation, including a statement of concern. A professional license attorney can carefully examine this document and then take advantage of the opportunity provided by the board to fight any accusation you are currently facing in this process stage. At this phase, your case could end in a settlement or dismissal, eliminating the necessity for a disciplinary hearing.

A license attorney will be thoroughly prepared for all proceedings if a hearing is required. They will provide witness testimonies to support your case, question opposing eyewitnesses, contest evidence presented by the prosecuting attorney, and present proof to help secure reduced disciplinary measures or a complete acquittal.

The case will be closed if the charges are withdrawn during the hearing. No documentation of the proceedings will be accessible for the public to review. You have 30 days to file an appeal if you face formal disciplinary measures. On the other hand, if you receive a citation and wish to challenge it, you have 15 days to initiate the appeal process.

Having Your License Approved or Reinstated

If you have trouble having your occupational license application accepted, a professional license attorney can assist you at every step. If your application has already been denied, your attorney can help you file an appeal motion or meet the board's requirements for final approval. Despite any concerns the board may have regarding the application, resolving these issues and beginning your career, regardless of whether your professional license is under probation, is possible.

If you lost your license due to a previous violation, you should not automatically assume the decision is irreversible. Suppose you are familiar with the procedure for promptly submitting the appropriate paperwork and are determined to overcome any legal obstacles that could arise. In that case, you can have your license reinstated. A professional license attorney can guide you through submitting a petition to restore your license.

The process and regulations for filing a petition could be intricate, and even a minor mistake can result in rejection. For example, the petition has strict deadlines. Therefore, you must submit your paperwork before the due date if you want it considered.

A professional license attorney thoroughly understands the procedure for submitting the necessary documentation. This can help to demonstrate your successful rehabilitation and readiness to return to practice. Additionally, they are well-versed in presenting your case persuasively in any proceeding that the licensing board may convene to determine the outcome of your license reinstatement petition.

Can a Past Conviction Affect My Professional License?

If you are worried about how a previous conviction might affect your professional license, a good lawyer can help. They can work to have your charges dropped or dismissed; even if that is not possible, they can help protect your license.

If you are convicted and lose your license, there are ways to try to reinstate it. You can have the conviction removed from your record, have your record sealed, receive a pardon, or obtain a certificate of rehabilitation. These steps can help you reinstate a suspended license.

However, not all convictions can be removed or expunged. In some cases, obtaining a certificate of rehabilitation or a pardon from the governor might be your best option. You can seek a formal declaration of innocence if your charges are dismissed. This can improve your chances of keeping your professional license.

The following are examples of violations that the board of licensing for audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and hearing aid dispensers finds substantially related to the responsibilities of these professions:

  • DUI or DUID
  • Grand theft or petty theft
  • Substance addiction or misuse
  • Simple possession
  • Possession of illegal drugs with the intent to sell
  • Domestic violence
  • Sexual battery
  • Insurance fraud

Contact a Professional License Defense Law Firm Near Me

Although each case is different, it is recommended that you consult with a lawyer before answering any questions or responding to any requests for information from the board’s investigator. It is unwise to provide proof or documents, respond to inquiries, or give your approval to carry out any inquiry without first consulting legal counsel.

Consulting an attorney is crucial for protecting your reputation and profession. If you risk having your license revoked, you can contact our team of experienced lawyers at San Diego License Attorney at 858-665-2455. We will assist you in retaining your professional license and protecting your reputation.