How the California Physical Therapy Board suspends a license
The California Department of Consumer Affairs, through the Physical Therapy Board, can suspend your license without waiting for a final disciplinary decision. This is called a summary suspension, and it takes effect when ready when the Board issues the order. You do not have to be convicted of a crime or found guilty in a hearing first — the Board can act based on evidence that you pose a threat to public safety or that continuing to practice would cause irreparable harm.
A summary suspension is different from a license revocation or a disciplinary suspension that follows a hearing. It is a temporary hold placed on your license while the Board investigates or while a formal case moves through the disciplinary process. The Board must still prove its case eventually, but your license stops working right away.
The most common triggers for summary suspension are criminal convictions (especially felonies or crimes involving dishonesty), patient harm allegations, substance abuse, practicing without a license, or violations of patient safety rules. The Board can also suspend if you fail to report a criminal arrest or conviction within the required timeframe, or if you do not cooperate with a Board investigation.
Key Takeaways
- A summary suspension takes effect when ready and stops you from practicing physical therapy in California while the Board investigates or holds a hearing.
- The Board does not need a final guilty verdict or disciplinary finding to suspend — it only needs evidence that public safety is at risk.
- You have the right to request a hearing to challenge the suspension, and you must file that request within 10 days of receiving the suspension order.
- During a suspension, you cannot legally practice, bill for services, or supervise other therapists, and violating this can result in criminal charges.
- A suspension can be lifted before a final decision if you show the Board that the public is no longer at risk or if you win your hearing.
The difference between summary suspension and other discipline
A summary suspension is temporary and happens fast. The Board issues it without a hearing and without waiting for you to respond. It stays in place until either the Board lifts it, you win a hearing to overturn it, or a final disciplinary decision is made (which could be revocation, a longer suspension, probation, or a fine).
A disciplinary suspension is different — it is the punishment that comes after a hearing. The Board holds a formal proceeding, you have a chance to defend yourself, and then an Administrative Law Judge or the Board itself decides what discipline to impose. A disciplinary suspension has a set length (for example, 90 days or two years) and is part of the final order.
Revocation means your license is permanently cancelled. You cannot practice in California again unless you go through the full process process from the beginning, which is rare and difficult after revocation.
A probation order lets you keep practicing but under strict conditions — you might have to work under supervision, take additional training, submit to random drug testing, or report to the Board regularly. Probation is often paired with a fine or a temporary suspension.
What you must do when ready after receiving a suspension order
Stop practicing. You cannot see patients, bill for physical therapy services, write treatment plans, or supervise other therapists. Continuing to practice while suspended is illegal and can result in criminal charges, fines up to $5,000, or jail time.
Read the suspension order carefully. It will state the reason for the suspension, the date it takes effect, and your rights. Keep this document — you will need it for your hearing request and for any communications with the Board.
Request a hearing within 10 days. You have the right to a hearing to challenge the suspension. Send a written request to the Physical Therapy Board at the address listed on the suspension order. State that you are requesting a hearing under Government Code Section 11509. Do not wait — missing this important date can mean you lose your right to challenge the suspension before a final decision is made.
Notify your employer, your patients, and your insurance carrier. Your employer needs to know you cannot work. Your patients need to know their care is interrupted and should be transferred to another therapist. Your malpractice insurance carrier needs to know about the suspension because it may affect your coverage.
Do not destroy or hide any records. The Board will investigate, and you will need access to your patient files, billing records, and any other documents related to the reason for the suspension. Destroying evidence can lead to additional charges.
How a hearing works and what you can expect
After you request a hearing, the Board will schedule one with an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) from the California Office of Administrative Hearings. The hearing is usually held in person in Sacramento or another California location, though you may be able to appear by phone or video in some cases. The Board will send you a notice of hearing at least 10 days before the date.
At the hearing, the Board presents evidence of why the suspension was necessary — this might include police reports, patient complaints, medical records, or testimony from witnesses. You have the right to present your own evidence, call witnesses, cross-examine the Board's witnesses, and have an attorney represent you. You do not have to testify, but many people do.
The ALJ will make a recommendation to the Board, and the Board will make a final decision. If the ALJ finds that the suspension was not justified, the Board usually lifts it. If the ALJ finds that the suspension was justified, it stays in place while the full disciplinary case continues. This hearing is only about whether the suspension should continue — it is not the final disciplinary hearing.
The whole process from your hearing request to a decision usually takes 30 to 60 days, though it can take longer if the case is complex or if witnesses are hard to schedule.
What happens during the investigation and disciplinary process
After the suspension is in place, the Board's Enforcement Unit continues to investigate. They will interview you, review your patient records, talk to patients or their families, and gather any other evidence. You have the right to an attorney during this process, and it is strongly recommended that you hire one.
If the Board finds cause to discipline you, it will issue a formal accusation — a legal document that lists the specific violations and the discipline being sought. You then have 10 days to respond in writing. After that, a hearing is scheduled before an ALJ. This is the full disciplinary hearing, separate from the suspension hearing.
At the disciplinary hearing, both sides present evidence. The ALJ makes a recommendation, and the Board decides what discipline to impose. The possible outcomes are dismissal of the charges, a fine, probation, a suspension for a set period, or revocation. If you lose, you have the right to appeal to the California Court of Appeal.
The entire disciplinary process from investigation to final Board decision can take 6 months to 2 years, depending on the complexity of the case and how busy the Board is.
How to challenge a suspension and what evidence helps
Your best chance to lift a suspension quickly is to show the ALJ that the public is no longer at risk. This means different things depending on why you were suspended. If you were suspended for a criminal conviction, you might show that the conviction was overturned or that you have completed rehabilitation. If you were suspended for patient harm, you might show that the harm was not as serious as alleged or that you have taken steps to prevent it from happening again.
Gather documentation that supports your case. This might include letters from patients or colleagues, evidence of additional training or education you have completed, medical records if the suspension was based on a health issue, proof that you have completed a substance abuse program, or informed testimony about your practice. Character references from other healthcare providers or community members can also help.
Hire an attorney who specializes in healthcare licensing. The Board has lawyers, and you are at a disadvantage without one. An attorney knows how to present evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and argue the law in a way that persuades the ALJ. Many attorneys who handle licensing cases offer payment plans.
Be honest in your response and at the hearing. If you lie or hide evidence, it will make things worse. If you admit to the underlying conduct but argue that suspension is too harsh, that is a legitimate defense. The ALJ wants to know the truth.
Reinstatement after a suspension ends
If your suspension is lifted before a final disciplinary decision, you can return to practice when ready — but only if there are no other restrictions on your license. Check with the Board to confirm your license is active before you schedule patients.
If a disciplinary suspension ends (for example, a 90-day suspension), your license automatically becomes active again on the date specified in the Board's order. You do not have to file paperwork or pay a fee to reinstate. However, if the Board's order includes probation or other conditions, those remain in place.
If your license was revoked, reinstatement is extremely difficult. You would have to petition the Board for reinstatement, which requires showing that you have been rehabilitated and that the public would not be harmed. The Board rarely grants these petitions, and you may have to wait several years before you can even ask.
If you were suspended for failure to pay a fine or complete a requirement (like a continuing education course), you must complete that requirement before your license will be reinstated. The Board will send you a letter explaining what you need to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I practice physical therapy while my suspension is being challenged?
No. A summary suspension takes effect when ready and you cannot practice until it is lifted. Practicing while suspended is a crime. If you need income, you may be able to work in a non-clinical role, such as administrative work at a clinic, but you cannot provide patient care or bill for physical therapy services.
What if I miss the 10-day important date to request a hearing?
Missing the important date is serious. You may lose your right to challenge the suspension before a final decision. However, you can still request a hearing after the important date if you can show good cause — for example, that you did not receive the suspension order or that you were incapacitated. Contact the Board when ready and explain why you missed the important date.
Do I need an attorney for the suspension hearing?
You have the right to represent yourself, but an attorney is strongly recommended. The Board has lawyers, the rules of evidence explore, and the ALJ expects professional legal arguments. An attorney can also help you gather evidence and prepare your testimony. Many healthcare licensing attorneys offer free initial consultations.
Will a suspension show up on my license record permanently?
Yes. Even if your suspension is lifted or you win your case, the suspension will appear in the Board's public records. Anyone who looks up your license online will see that a suspension was issued. This is why it is important to challenge the suspension and, if possible, have the underlying charges dismissed.
Can the Board suspend my license again for the same reason?
If the underlying conduct is not resolved, yes. For example, if you were suspended for substance abuse and you do not complete treatment, the Board can suspend again. If you were suspended for patient harm and you do not change your practice, the same thing can happen. The best protection is to address the root cause and show the Board that you have done so.