What Not to Say to an Indiana Licensing Board Investigator

 Posted on February 16, 2026 in Medical license defense

Receiving notice that the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency or the Indiana Attorney General's office is investigating you in 2026 is terrifying for most practitioners. Your first instinct may be to explain your side of the story and clear up any misunderstandings. However, what you say during an investigation can determine whether you keep your professional license or lose your career.

At The Law Offices of Joseph J. Bogdan, Inc., we have seen too many cases where well-meaning doctors, nurses, surgeons, and more damaged their own defense by saying the wrong things to investigators. Sometimes, understanding what not to say is just as important as knowing what to say. 

Our Indiana professional license defense attorneys can guide you through an investigation. Just give us a call at 463-219-2612. 

Four Things Not to Do if IPLA is Investigating You

Never Admit You Made a Mistake Without Talking to a Lawyer First 

When an investigator contacts you, your natural response may be to take responsibility and admit any errors. This seems like the honest, professional thing to do. However, immediately admitting fault can be used against you throughout the entire disciplinary process.

Investigators work for the Attorney General's office or the licensing board. Their job is to build a case, not to help you. When you admit wrongdoing without understanding the full scope of the allegations or the legal implications, you may be confessing to violations you did not actually commit.

The complaint against you may contain misunderstandings, incomplete information, or outright false allegations. Before admitting anything, you need to understand exactly what you are being accused of and what evidence exists. 

Do Not Give Written Statements Without Working with an Attorney

Investigators often request written statements explaining your actions. This seems like an opportunity to tell your side of the story. However, just like with your statement, anything you write can be used against you in disciplinary proceedings and potentially in related criminal or civil cases.

Written statements are permanent. You cannot take back words once they are on paper. Investigators will analyze every sentence looking for inconsistencies, admissions, or evidence of violations. Even innocent explanations can be twisted to support disciplinary action.

Under Indiana law, licensing board proceedings follow different rules than criminal trials. The standard rules of evidence and objections that work in court often do not apply in administrative hearings. You need to be very careful about what you do and say. Before submitting any written response, consult with a professional licensing defense attorney. 

Never Say You Misunderstood the Rules or Didn’t Know the Law

Some professionals try to defend their actions by claiming they did not understand the rules or believed an exception applied. This defense rarely works and often makes matters worse.

As a licensed professional in Indiana, you are held to the standards established by your governing board. Ignorance of the rules is not a defense. Claiming you did not know about a regulation suggests incompetence or negligence, which are themselves grounds for discipline.

If you genuinely believed your actions were compliant with regulations, your attorney can present that defense in the proper context with supporting evidence. Simply telling an investigator you did not know the rules will not help your case.

Do Not Discuss Your Case with Colleagues or on Social Media

When you are under investigation, you may want to talk about it with colleagues who might face similar issues or offer support. This is a mistake. Anything you tell others can become testimony against you.

The Attorney General's office can interview anyone connected to your case. Your colleagues may be subpoenaed to testify about conversations you had with them. Even supportive friends may inadvertently provide information that damages your defense.

Social media posts are particularly dangerous. Investigators routinely review social media accounts for evidence. A seemingly innocent post about your practice, your workload, or your frustrations can be used to support allegations of incompetence or unprofessional conduct.

Contact a Fishers, IN Professional Licensing Defense Attorney Today

Your professional license took years of education, training, and hard work. Don’t risk losing everything by talking to investigators without a good attorney there to protect you. 

Our Fishers professional licensing defense lawyer has extensive experience representing physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, and other licensed professionals throughout Indiana. We offer free consultations to help you understand your rights and options. Contact The Law Offices of Joseph J. Bogdan, Inc. at 463-219-2612.