What Happens if Multiple Complaints Are Filed Against Your License?

 Posted on March 08, 2026 in Medical license defense

If you hold a professional license in Indiana, a complaint filed against it can put everything you've worked for at risk. When more than one complaint is filed, the pressure grows even faster. Our Bloomington, IN professional license defense lawyers are here to help you understand what's happening and what you can do about it.

What Happens When a Professional License Complaint Is Filed in Indiana?

In Indiana, complaints do not go straight to your licensing board. First, the Indiana Attorney General's office reviews the complaint to decide if it has enough merit to move forward. If it does, the AG brings it to the right board or commission, which holds a hearing and decides what happens next.

The rules that apply to your case depend on your profession. Health professionals are covered under IC 25-1-9. Non-health professionals fall under IC 25-1-11. Your specific board may also have its own additional rules on top of those.

How Do Multiple License Complaints Affect Your Case in Indiana?

One complaint is serious. Multiple complaints can make things much harder to resolve. Each complaint is reviewed on its own at first, but the Attorney General's office and your board can see all of them together. A pattern of complaints, even if each one seems small, can completely change how your case is handled.

Something that might result in a reprimand after one complaint could lead to probation, suspension, or revocation when several complaints are involved. In some professions, especially healthcare, complaints may also lead to review by federal agencies or reporting to national practitioner databases.

What Penalties Can an Indiana Licensing Board Impose?

Indiana licensing boards have several options when it comes to discipline. They can impose:

• Revocation: permanent loss of your license
• Suspension: temporary loss of your license
• Probation: you can still work, but under close monitoring
• Censure or reprimand: an official mark on your record
• Penalties that may be assessed for each violation, often up to $1,000

In serious situations, the board can also issue an emergency suspension right away, without waiting for a full hearing, if it believes you pose a clear and immediate danger to the public.

Can a Professional License Complaint Be Dismissed in Indiana?

Not every complaint leads to formal charges, and not every hearing ends in discipline. Complaints that don't have merit, fall outside the board's authority, or don't actually show a violation of professional standards can be dismissed early. A strong written response to the initial complaint can make a real difference in stopping a case before it goes further.

Cases can also be resolved through a consent agreement, which is a negotiated settlement that usually results in lesser discipline and skips the full hearing process. Getting an attorney involved early gives you the best chance of reaching a better outcome before things escalate.

What Should You Do After Multiple License Complaints Are Filed Against You?

The most important thing is to act quickly. The steps that matter most include:

• Take action when you receive a complaint. Each one requires a written response, and what you say matters.
• Avoid contacting the board or the AG's office on your own. Statements you make can be used against you.
• Gather your records. Collect any documents, communication, or evidence that support your side.
• Contact a defense attorney as soon as possible, before your first response is due.

An attorney can review each complaint separately and build a defense strategy that responds to all of them together, which is critical when the board is looking at the full picture.

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Indiana Professional License Defense Attorneys

Attorney Joseph Bogdan brings a perspective to professional license defense that few attorneys can offer. He is both a registered pharmacist and a licensed attorney, and he has served as an expert witness in many pharmaceutical cases, including those involving controlled substances. That combination of hands-on professional experience and legal knowledge means the firm understands exactly how licensing boards evaluate complaints and what it takes to fight back effectively.

If multiple complaints have been filed against your license, call The Law Offices of Joseph J. Bogdan, Inc. to schedule a free consultation with our Bloomington, IN professional license defense lawyers today.