Do You Have to Respond to the Indiana Licensing Board?

 Posted on January 14, 2026 in Medical license defense

So you’ve received a letter from the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency about a behavioral complaint or concern about your practice. The issue does not seem that serious, so you wonder if you really need to respond. How diligent is the board about following up? Are the consequences more likely to be serious if you cooperate anyway? 

The short answer is that you absolutely must respond. Ignoring a letter from the board is one of the worst decisions you can make for your career. Our Indiana professional license attorneys represent: 

• Physicians

• Anesthesiologists

• Nurses

• Chiropractors

• Pharmacists

• Dentists

• Psychologists

• Even real estate agents

If you have received a letter from your local professional license and disciplinary board, don’t ignore it. Call The Law Offices of Joseph J. Bogdan, Inc. at 463-219-2612 to schedule a free consultation to learn about what you should do next. 

What Happens If You Ignore a Letter from the Indiana Licensing Board?

When you ignore a letter from your licensing board, the problem gets worse. The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency works with the Indiana Attorney General's office to investigate complaints. When they send you a letter, they expect a response. If you do not respond, the board could assume the allegations are true and impose additional discipline.

Under Indiana Code Title 25, which governs professional licensing, the board has authority to take disciplinary action against practitioners who don’t cooperate. Failing to respond can turn a minor complaint into a major disciplinary case. What started as a simple behavioral complaint can become a formal investigation, then a hearing, and finally license suspension.

What Kind of Disciplinary Actions Can the Indiana Licensing Board Take?

The Indiana licensing board can impose serious penalties under IC 25-1-11-12 if they determine you violated professional standards. These sanctions include:

• Formal reprimands

• Fines up to $1,000 per violation

• Probation

• License suspension

• Permanent revocation.

When you fail to respond, you give up your chance to tell your side of the allegations. The board moves forward using only the complaint against you. By the time you realize the situation is serious, it may be too late. The board can suspend your license, which means you cannot work, losing income and damaging your reputation.

Do You Need an Attorney to Respond to the Indiana Professional Licensing Board?

Many professionals think they can handle a board letter on their own. However, responding without legal help is risky. What you say matters. The board will use your words as evidence, and you can accidentally make things worse.

An attorney who understands professional licensing law knows how to respond effectively. Your attorney can review the complaint, gather supporting evidence, and craft a response that protects your license. Our lead attorney is also a registered pharmacist with over 25 years of experience, so we understand both the legal side and the professional practice side of professional license discipline.

What Should You Do When You Receive a Letter from the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency?

As soon as you receive a letter from the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency, take it seriously. Do not wait, ignore it, or assume it will go away.

• First, read the letter carefully and note any deadlines. The board gives you limited time to respond, and missing that deadline hurts your case.

• Second, gather relevant documents like patient records, practice policies, continuing education certificates, or communications with the person who filed the complaint. Your attorney can help you decide which evidence will best support your case.

• Third, contact a professional license defense attorney immediately. Even if the complaint seems minor, getting legal advice early prevents escalation.

Remember that board investigations are separate from criminal cases. The board can discipline your license after an investigation, even without your cooperation. 

Contact a Carmel, IN Professional License Defense Attorney Today

Do not risk your professional license by ignoring a letter from the Indiana licensing board. Our Indiana professional license defense attorneys have over 25 years of experience protecting healthcare professionals, and our lead lawyer is also a registered pharmacist who understands your profession.

We offer free consultations to discuss your situation and explain your options. Contact The Law Offices of Joseph J. Bogdan, Inc. today at 463-219-2612 to schedule your free consultation. We serve professionals throughout Carmel and all of Indiana.