California Board of Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapist License Defense
Each year, the California Board of Occupational Therapy receives hundreds of complaints, including written complaints from the public, other licensees, professional groups, and governmental agencies. If you’re an occupational therapist or occupational therapist assistant facing an investigation or disciplinary proceeding before the board, our attorneys have the experience and resources to provide expert representation.
Complaints and investigations
The following represent some of the most common allegations that occupational therapists face before the board:
- Unauthorized practice
- Substance abuse
- Professional fitness issues
- Sexual misconduct
- Criminal convictions
The board reviews and investigates all complaints it receives. It then decides to close the case, issue a citation or lesser form of discipline, or refer the matter to the California Office of the Attorney General for formal disciplinary proceedings. The attorney general may file an accusation or, in the case of an applicant, a statement of issues, which initiates a formal hearing process under the California Administrative Procedures Act.
Discipline imposed at the administrative hearing may include a public reproval, multiyear probation with complex terms, license suspension, or license revocation.
As the holder of a professional license, you have important statutory and constitutional rights. While each situation is unique, it is generally wise to engage counsel before responding to a board investigator or a request for information.
How we can help
Our experienced attorneys can work closely with you to close an investigation without discipline or minimize the discipline that may eventually be imposed. In many cases, we can assist in negotiating an agreed resolution with the board’s counsel without a hearing. We can also aggressively defend you at a contested hearing.
If you are facing criminal prosecution, you should know and understand the consequences that a guilty or no contest plea and a conviction can have on your license. A conviction that results from circumstances outside of your professional work that appears to have no relationship to your occupational therapy practice may still have a significant impact on your license.
Whether you have been wrongfully accused of misconduct or have made an uncharacteristic mistake, our attorneys have the experience, expertise, and resources to aggressively defend you before the board. We will listen, offer advice, and develop a plan to obtain the best result possible.
More information:
Verify the status of an occupational therapist license
Occupational Therapy Practice Act
California Code of Regulations