The Georgia Composite Medical Board is the state organization that monitors physicians and other medical professionals through its licensing and disciplinary policies. The purpose of the Board is to safeguard public health by ensuring proper licensing procedures and regulating healthcare professionals.
Who makes up the Composite Board? The Board is made up of fifteen members appointed by the Governor. Thirteen of those members are physicians, and two of those members are public representatives who have no ties to medicine. Each Board member typically serves a four-year term.
What does the Board do? The Board’s functions include screening candidates for licensure, issuing licenses to qualified professionals, developing rules and guidelines for healthcare practice, and disciplining licensees when necessary. In Georgia, the Composite Board licenses and monitors healthcare professionals including the following: Medical doctors (MDs), Doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs), Physician assistants (PAs), Anesthesiologist assistants (AAs), Acupuncturists, and pain management clinics. However, the Composite Board does not license or regulate podiatrists, chiropractors, dentists, marriage and family therapists, social workers, professional counselors, physical therapists, registered nurses, or licensed practical nurses – those professions are regulated by the Office of the Secretary of State.
As a healthcare professional, should you retain a lawyer for interacting with the Board? When your professional license could be at stake, an experienced attorney can assist you with navigating the Board’s procedures and hearings. For licensing applicants, there may be issues from the past that require disclosure to the Board. For example, while a past criminal conviction will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining a healthcare license, the failure to make an adequate and timely disclosure could jeopardize licensure and require a hearing before the Board. For licensed healthcare professionals, the Board will handle challenges to your license that arise from allegations of any professional or criminal misconduct. Once the Board has notified you of a pending disciplinary action, consulting with legal counsel is crucial to best protect your license and career.
At Conaway & Strickler, we have experience representing healthcare professionals before the Board in matters including the disclosure and mitigation of criminal issues and the defense of alleged professional misconduct. If your healthcare license is at stake, our attorneys can help guide you through the process of safeguarding your career. Schedule a free consultation to discuss potential issues facing your professional license.