Kansas Real Estate Appraisers: The Powers the Board Has Over Your License

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In the State of Kansas, real estate appraisers are licensed by the Kansas Real Estate Appraisal Board. Not only does the Board manage the licensing and registration of real estate appraisers, it also functions to protect persons and entities that utilize real estate appraisers. As such, the Board has a broad range of actions it can take when a licensee engages in prohibited conduct. The following are the some of the disciplinary measures available to the Board:

  • Warning: Issuance of a warning or taking other correction action. This is the least severe sanction used by the Board.
  • Official reprimand: An official reprimand is more severe of an action than a warning, but does not involve any fines, corrective actions, nor does it place any restrictions on the licensee’s license.
  • Additional Education: If the Board feels that the licensee requires education or training, the Board has the power to order the licensee to complete the education within a given amount of time.
  • Fines: The Board can order that the licensee pay a monetary fine.
  • Probation: Probation places restriction(s) on the licensee’s licensee for a set period of time.
  • Downgrade: In the case of a downgrade, the licensee has a reduction in the allowed scope of his or her scope of practice, which occurs through a reclassification of the appraisal credential.
  • Suspension of License: When a licensee has his or her license suspended, the licensee loses all of the rights and privileges associated with the license for a specific period of time. A suspension can also be made contingent on the licensee completing some other disciplinary measures such as payment of a fine or completion of education classes.
  • Revocation of License: Unlike a suspension, a revocation of the licensee’s license is permanent and is the most severe form of discipline that the Board can issue.

Certain disciplinary measures are made known to the general public. The Board publishes a list of the licensees who have received any fines equal to or excess of $500, any limitations on a license, any conditions that require the licensee to comply, suspensions, and any revocations.  These are listed both on the Board’s website and in its newsletter. Disciplinary actions published on the Board’s website will remain on the site for a period of three years following the licensee’s successful completion of education or expiration of all fines, penalties and conditions. The names of licensees who have had a license revoked will remain on the website indefinitely. The Board does not publish the names of licensees who are censured or who received fines under $500.

If you are a real estate appraiser who has received notice of a pending investigation, contact the Sanger Law Office today. Before you talk with an investigator or communicate with the Board, take the time to meet with an experienced professional license defense attorney. Danielle Sanger and the seasoned professionals at the Sanger Law Office will work diligently to protect your license. Call 785-979-4353 today, to schedule your free and completely confidential consultation.

Kansas Veterinarians: Are You Putting Your Professional License at Risk?

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The Kansas Board of Veterinary Examiners (Board) is the licensing agency for Kansas practitioners of veterinary medicine. The mission of the Board is not to protect its licensees, but rather, to protect the public’s health, safety and welfare as it relates to the practice of veterinary medicine. Licensees who fail to meet the professional conduct standards risk the Board taking disciplinary action. Disciplinary measures can range from a reprimand to a revocation of the practitioner’s license. The following are some of the most common acts that have put a veterinarian’s license at risk:

  1. Cruelty or inhumane treatment of animals: A licensee who is found to have provided any animal with cruel or inhumane treatment may not only face state criminal charges, but may also risk losing his or her license.
  2. Practicing without a license: A licensee can find oneself in hot water if he or she does not timely renew his or her license. A licensee who continues to practice veterinary medicine with an expired license is in fact practicing without a license. It is always a good idea to mark your calendar so you do not miss the deadline to renew your license.
  3. Controlled Substance Abuse: A licensee struggling with alcohol or drug addiction risks not only providing substandard care to his or her patients, but also increases the chances of having his or her license suspended or revoked.
  4. Any Felony Conviction: Even if the felony is not related to a licensee’s practice, a conviction can be cause for the Board to take disciplinary action against the licensee.
  5. Creating unreal or unjustified expectations: In the world of veterinary medicine, there is a fine line between being optimistic about a patient’s perceived success rate based on a certain course of drug therapy or after a surgical procedure and creating unjustified expectations for the client. Promising a cure or a specific result can lead to disappointed clients and subsequent complaints made to the Board.
  6. Extending the practice of veterinary medicine to humans: Recently a licensee in another state was charged with providing medical care to humans. Of course, a licensee is free to provide emergency care or first aid to persons, but a licensee’s practice must be limited to animals.
  7. Drug or substance abuse related convictions: Conviction of more than one misdemeanor or for any felony conviction that involves use or consumption of a controlled substance for a non-medically related purpose is considered to be “unprofessional conduct” and can subject a licensee to discipline.
  8. Providing animal with drugs for a non-medically sound reason: Causing an animal to receive a controlled substance for solely training, showing or racing purposes is a violation of the professional ethics.

If you have received notice from the Kansas Board of Veterinary Examiners that you are the subject of an investigation, contact the Sanger Law Office today at 785-979-4353. The Sanger Law Office will work with you to make sure that you understand your rights and that everything necessary is done to protect your license. Call the Sanger Law Office today to schedule your free and completely confidential consultation.

Kansas Respiratory Therapists: Know What Actions Could Cost You Your License

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The Kansas Board of Healing Arts (“Board”) is the licensing authority for many different healthcare professionals in the state of Kansas, including respiratory therapists. In addition to licensing respiratory therapists, the Board also functions to protect the health, welfare and safety of the general public from wrongdoings by a respiratory therapist. Conduct by a licensee that endangers the public is likely to be deemed “unprofessional conduct”. Unprofessional conduct can refer to a multitude of actions that are unbecoming to the profession. Such actions can result in a respiratory therapist having his or her license revoked or suspended and receiving public or private censure. Additionally, the Board also has the power to fine a licensee for each violation, which can be up to $5,000 for a first violation and $15,000 for a third violation. The most common examples of actions that are deemed to be unprofessional conduct, include the following:

  • Conviction of a felony: A felony conviction can result in a licensee receiving discipline by the Board if the conduct which resulted in the felony is determined by the Board to directly impact whether the licensee can be entrusted to continue as a respiratory therapist.
  • Drug and/or alcohol addiction: Being addicted to alcohol and/or illegal or prescription drugs or any other substances, can not only interfere with a licensee’s ability to properly perform his or her job duties, it is also considered to be unprofessional conduct. If you are a licensee who is struggling with addiction, you need to seek assistance as soon as possible.
  • Making false or misleading statements to a patient: Examples of such statements include:
    • representing to a patient that an incurable disease or medical condition can be cured through treatment(s);
    • using advertising that is deceptive; and
    • misrepresentation of licensee’s skill level.
  • Charging improper fees: A licensee risks disciplinary action by the Board if a licensee is found to have charged a patient a fee that is excessive or if the licensee obtains a fee through fraudulent acts.
  • Physical or sexual abuse or mistreatment of a patient: Acts of sexual misconduct are not only criminal in nature but also are in violation of a licensee’s professional code of conduct. A licensee can also endanger his or her licensee if he or she provides respiratory therapy to a patient without that patient’s consent (or the patient’s legal guardian). In some jurisdictions, this type of action is also grounds for a criminal charge of assault.
  • Failure to keep proper patient documentation: It is imperative that all licensees maintain detailed records that justify the course of treatment for each and every patient. Failure to do so can be grounds for disciplinary action by the Board.

As a respiratory therapist you worked hard to obtain your license. If you are facing disciplinary action by the Kansas Board of Healing Arts, contact the Sanger Law Office today at today at 785-979-4353 to schedule your free and completely confidential consultation. We at the Sanger Law Office understand how it feels when your livelihood comes under attack. Trust the knowledgeable and professional team at the Sanger Law Office to provide you exceptional legal services.