What is the board's goal when dealing with impairment or incompetence in a licensee?

• A. To protect patients and allow safe practice
• B. To punish the licensee regardless of circumstances
• C. To remove the license permanently for any impairment
• D. To defer action until a complaint is filed by a patient

Answer: (A)

Protecting patients by ensuring safe practice is the board’s primary aim when dealing with impairment or incompetence. When concerns arise, the board weighs the risk to the public and acts to keep patients safe, which often means evaluating the licensee, requiring treatment, placing restrictions or supervision, or implementing a temporary suspension so that care remains safe while issues are addressed. The emphasis is on safety and rehabilitation, not punishment, and actions can be taken even without a patient complaint if there’s credible risk. Permanent removal for any impairment would be too broad and deferring action until a complaint is filed would leave patients exposed to potential harm.