Helpful Tips: Being Prepared for Your Appearance Before a Licensing Board

Appearing before a licensing board can be a very intimidating experience. The members of the licensing board have your livelihood in their hands and it means everything to you. First impressions are everything.  The attorneys at Howell, Buchan & Strong work with our clients and prepare them extensively for their appearances.  Here are some tips for you to follow if you are called to appear before a licensing board:

About the meeting:

• This is a legal proceeding so you will be under oath and typically the hearing is recorded by a court reporter.
• There are a number of board members including professional and lay members.
• There is an attorney that represents the Board, not you.
• Your name will be on an agenda and licensing boards typically go in order of the agenda. Be prepared to be there for a while.
• When the Chair calls your name, walk up and sit behind one of the microphones. Be ready to be sworn in.
• Ensure your cell phone is turned off during the meeting.

Your preparation:

• Be sure to dress appropriately for the hearing.
• When you first speak to the board members, be sure to thank the members for taking their time to review and consider your case.
• Answer just the question asked and try not to elaborate.
• Maintain eye contact with the members when responding to their questions.
• Be relaxed, but confident.
• Have a good working knowledge of all the information and events in your application.
• Be prepared for broad questions like, “What have you learned from this experience”, or “Tell us what happened in this medical malpractice case.”

While this list seems common sense, when you appear before a licensing board, it is important to remember these tips so you are comfortable and ready for your board hearing.

Have you received a notice to appear before a licensing Board?

If you are concerned about obtaining or maintaining licensure with DOH, we always recommend consulting with an experienced team of legal professionals.

Our experienced healthcare legal team can help you navigate the complex regulatory framework. The Attorneys at Howell, Buchan & Strong have over 30 years of experience providing legal services to healthcare providers in Florida. That includes working with board office staff, and attorneys, and appearing before the Boards with our clients.

Let the experienced team at Howell, Buchan & Strong help you.