What Is OPD? Understanding the Office of Professional Discipline in New York

Definition and Authority of the Office of Professional Discipline

What Is OPD? OPD is short for Office of Professional Discipline. It is a part of the Department of Education. The Department of Education has the power to investigate licensed professionals who have been accused of professional misconduct. Any licensed professional can be investigated except for doctors and lawyers. They are governed by other agencies.

Licensed Professionals Under OPD Jurisdiction

The Typical OPD Clients Our OPD defense lawyers have represented several types of clients. Some of the people that we typically represent include the following.

• Registered nurses and licensed practical nurses
• Dentists
• Physical therapists
• Mental health professionals
• Chiropractors
• Podiatrists
• Certified public accountants

Nurses are often the target of professional misconduct allegations because there are a number of regulations and rules that they have to follow.

Understanding Professional Misconduct Under New York Law

What Is Professional Misconduct? The purpose of a state licensing agency is to protect the public from professional misconduct. Professional misconduct is defined as the act of failing to adhere to the professional standards that have been set by the agency. The Board of Regents in New York can enforce disciplinary action if one is convicted of professional misconduct. Here is a list of examples of professional misconduct.

• Performing services that are outside of one's scope of practice and training
• Being convicted of any type of crime
• Drug and alcohol abuse
• HIPAA violations
• Not keeping the proper documentation and records
• Practicing without a license
• Allowing another person to practice without a license
• Insurance fraud and any other type of fraud

Our OPD defense lawyers have handled a variety of scenarios. We understand the OPD process. We know what legal strategies we can use in order to protect our clients.

The OPD Investigation Process and What to Expect

What to Expect if I am Investigated by the Office of Professional Discipline? An OPD investigator will contact you. This will likely be via letter. However, they may choose to contact you via telephone. You are legally required to comply with the requests of the OPD. If they tell you to provide documents, then you will have to do that. You could be charged with misconduct if you ignore a request. However, you do not have to have a conversation with the investigator. If you choose to speak to them, then you should not do so without speaking with an attorney first. It is important to note that everything you say can be used against you.

Penalties and Consequences for Professional Misconduct Violations

What Happens if I Am Found Guilty of Professional Misconduct? The severity of the misconduct will determine the potential consequences that you can face. If your case is not serious, then you may receive a warning or advisory letter. The consequences will be more drastic if you are found of serious misconduct. You could be fined up to $10,000. You could also get your license revoked. Keep in mind that it is possible to get your license back after it has been revoked. However, you will have to wait at least three years before you apply for another license. It can be difficult for you to get your license revoked. You will have to prove to the Board of Regents that you deserve to have your license back.

Critical Importance of Legal Representation in OPD Cases

Why It Is Important to Hire an Attorney It is imperative that you hire an attorney as soon as possible. You need a lawyer to guide you because one wrong statement can greatly reduce your chances of having a successful outcome. We will be able to tell you what steps you need to take.