Illinois Attorney for Doctors Getting Board Certified

Lawyer Helping Doctors Overcome Obstacles to Specialty Board Certification

For many doctors and medical professionals, obtaining certification from one of the member boards under the American Board of Medical Specialities (ABMS) is not only a lifelong personal goal, but also a crucial step in building a professional reputation that allows them to continue growing in their careers. However, getting certified requires doctors to uphold a high standard, even beyond that required for obtaining state licensure, and any history of misconduct can create obstacles that are very difficult to overcome.

At The Law Offices of Joseph J. Bogdan, Inc., we are committed to helping doctors protect their rights and defend their reputations in many different kinds of investigations and administrative proceedings. We can help you avoid disciplinary action that would affect your ability to get certified, or advise you on the path to certification when past discipline seems impossible to overcome.

The Importance of Board Certification

Being certified by a medical specialty board signifies to other medical professionals that you are an expert in your field, which can open the door to a wide range of career opportunities. It also demonstrates to patients that they can expect high-quality medical care from you, which can help you continue to grow your practice. However, attaining certification is a long and challenging process that requires that you earn a medical degree and complete your residency, obtain and maintain a state license to practice medicine, undergo extensive training in your specialty and establish board eligibility, and pass an examination from the board with whom you are seeking certification before your eligibility lapses. Ultimately, in order to achieve certification, you will need to demonstrate all of the following:

• You are in good professional standing.
• You have completed the education and training required to establish the core competencies expected by the specialty board.
• Your knowledge, judgment, and skills meet the standards established by the specialty board.

Obstacles to Achieving Board Certification

Aside from the challenge of developing the skills and competencies necessary for certification, perhaps the most significant obstacle to getting board certified is a threat to your professional standing. In Illinois, this threat could come in the form of an investigation by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) related to suspected misconduct, which could result in disciplinary action including the suspension or revocation of your state medical license. Other threats could include Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) discipline related to the mishandling of controlled substances, Office of Inspector General (OIG) exclusion related to misconduct in administering Medicare or Medicaid services, and criminal prosecution.

If you are facing the threat of discipline related to your medical practice, it is important that you hire an attorney as soon as possible to help you protect your rights. A successful defense that allows you to avoid disciplinary action can be crucial in maintaining your ability to seek board certification. If you are subject to discipline, particularly if you lose your license, you will first need to restore it before continuing the process of becoming board certified. If your board eligibility lapses while your license is suspended or revoked, you will also need to re-establish eligibility by completing additional training. Your attorney can help you take the necessary steps to reinstate your license and eligibility, making it possible for you to complete the certification process.

Contact a Medical Board Certification Attorney

We understand how important it is for many doctors to become board certified, and we are committed to doing everything in our power to help Illinois doctors maintain their licenses and stay on the path to certification. We represent doctors pursuing certification from the American Board of Family Medicine, the American Board of Internal Medicine, and any of the other ABMS member boards. Contact us today at 630-310-1267 to request a free consultation.