Health Care Licensing Lawyer
Lauren A. Leikam, PLLC, helps licensed healthcare professionals overcome red flags on health care licensing applications.
You may feel overwhelmed, uncertain, and even ashamed. But know this: you're not alone, and you don't have to face this alone.
Medical professionals with a criminal record.
Medical professionals with a disciplinary complaint.
Medical professionals with substance abuse or mental health issues.
Ordinarily, you wouldn’t need legal representation to help you get a medical license, nursing license, pharmacist license, or other medical professional license. But it’s not an ordinary situation when you apply for a health care license with a criminal background, disciplinary action from another state, or a history of mental health or substance abuse treatment.
Even if these delicate matters are well in the past, the Florida Department of Health (DOH) will take them very seriously — possibly threatening your livelihood by branding you as “not eligible” to work. That’s why having health care licensing representation from the very beginning is a great idea.
CHOOSE LAUREN A. LEIKAM, PLLC, TO REPRESENT YOU.
Lauren has more than a decade of experience that includes working for the FL DOH’s Prosecution Services Unit. She advocates for medical professionals like you who are facing hurdles regarding their medical licenses due to past issues all over the state of Florida.
While Lauren works with professionals at every stage of the process, clients who set up a consultation before they submit their application often feel more prepared. That’s because they’ve given themselves ample time to gather the necessary documents and craft a strategy that puts them in a favorable light. So don’t wait…
APPLYING FOR HEALTH CARE LICENSING WITH A CRIMINAL RECORD, DISCIPLINARY COMPLAINT, SUBSTANCE ABUSE OR MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES — HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO INCLUDE:
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Before you apply for health care licensing, you’ll need to gather the following:
- A self-explanation
- Arrest records
- Final dispositions
- Proof of completion of probation, parole and any other sanctions
- Between three and five letters of recommendation from people with whom you have worked
It’s important to note that the DOH won’t issue a license if there are certain crimes in your background. Lauren A. Leikam, health care licensing lawyer, is well versed in licensing information for health care professionals and can help you understand eligibility requirements.
DISCIPLINARY HISTORY DOCUMENTATION
If you’ve ever been subjected to a disciplinary action from a medical board — even if it was a long time ago or in another state — you’ll need to provide a self-explanation of the events. And you must have any relevant documents sent directly from the licensing agency to the Board office.
Note: If any records are unavailable, the medical licensing board responsible for those records must send, on agency letterhead, a letter confirming that the documents are unavailable.
A STATEMENT OF YOUR HEALTH HISTORY
This is a self-explanation of all relevant medical conditions and occurrences. You’ll have to provide a detailed description of treatments, diagnoses and medications prescribed. And you’ll need to name all the health care professionals who administered your treatments.
Aside from those accounts, you’re also required to submit a physician letter. The letter must disclose the condition you are, or were, being treated for and whether you are able to practice your profession with reasonable skill and safety. It should include DMS IIIR/DSM IV and Axis I, II, and III diagnoses.
Do I need a health care licensing lawyer to help me apply for health care licensing?
Even a small blemish from your past or a sensitive health issue can derail your application and put your livelihood at risk. So, it’s crucial to make sure your application is as thorough and complete as can be before you submit it. A good health care licensing lawyer knows how to do exactly that. They can:
- Help you understand the process, your options, and your eligibility.
- Make a solid case for you by crafting text for your self-explanation.
- Expedite records needed for your application.
If anything is missing from your application, the DOH staff will send you a deficiency letter. This details what items you must still provide — and by what date — in order for your submission to be considered. If you fail to provide the missing items by the deadline, your application file will be closed. But if you provide all of the deficiency letter’s requirements on time, your application will be considered complete and ready for review by the Board.
In some cases, the Board grants health care licenses at this stage. But if you’re not approved, you’ll be asked to appear at a hearing before the Board or credentials committee.
WHAT IS INVOLVED WITH A HEALTH CARE LICENSING HEARING?
A hearing is not a trial, but it does resemble a courtroom experience. You’ll be required to provide testimony. The state medical licensing board will ask you questions and render a decision.
THIS IS WHERE A GOOD HEALTH CARE LICENSING LAWYER CAN SHINE FOR YOU.
Your lawyer can appear by your side and advocate for you, but — perhaps most importantly — they can help get you focused and ready to tell your side of the story in the best light possible.
Remember: misrepresenting or failing to disclose information can scuttle your application or even result in you losing your license later. So be honest, candid, and stick to the facts.
ABOUT LAUREN A. LEIKAM, PLLC, HEALTH CARE LICENSING LAWYER
So, let’s get started. I can help you put your best foot forward — just as I’ve done numerous times for Florida medical professionals all over the state.