How Likely Is Someone to Lose a Medical License During an Investigation?

Losing a medical license during an investigation is possible, but it does not happen in every case. The outcome depends on what conduct is alleged and what evidence supports the allegations. This is what physicians should know about investigations and their potential impact on medical licensure. 

What Should Physicians Know During an Investigation in Georgia?

Under Georgia law, the Georgia Composite Medical Board has the authority to investigate physicians and take disciplinary action when legal or professional standards are violated. The investigation process involves reviewing complaints, gathering evidence, and deciding whether further action is needed.

The main steps in the investigation process include:

• Receiving the complaint: The Board reviews complaints from patients, healthcare professionals, or other sources to determine whether further investigation is needed.
• Requesting a response: The healthcare professional may be asked to respond to the allegations in writing or through an interview.
• Gathering evidence: Investigators may review medical records, documents, witness statements, and other relevant information to understand what happened.
• Reviewing the findings: Board staff, medical directors, and the Investigative Committee evaluate the evidence and recommend how the case should be handled.
• Making a decision: The full Board reviews the recommendations and decides whether to close the case, request more information, or take disciplinary action.

What Will the Results of the Investigation Be?

The Board has many options after an investigation ends. What the Board chooses is ultimately decided by whether the alleged conduct was substantiated and what the conduct was. Under O.C.G.A. § 43-34-8, the Board may deny, suspend, restrict, or revoke a medical license for specific grounds, including felony convictions, fraud, unprofessional conduct, and violations of medical practice laws. 

Depending on the circumstances, disciplinary actions may include:

• Probation: Requiring a physician to meet specific conditions to continue practicing.
• License suspension: Temporarily or indefinitely preventing a physician from practicing.
• License restrictions: Limiting certain medical activities or requiring additional training.
• License revocation: Removing a physician’s authority to practice medicine.
• Fines or reprimands: Imposing financial penalties or formal disciplinary warnings.

How Likely Is a Physician to Lose Their Medical License After an Investigation?

Losing a medical license during an investigation is possible, but it is not the automatic outcome of a complaint. According to a June 2026 investigation by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Georgia’s medical board rarely imposes serious disciplinary actions compared with other states. The investigation found that public discipline was uncommon, even in some cases involving significant patient harm. However, the board can still suspend or revoke a license when evidence supports serious violations of medical laws or professional standards. The outcome depends on the case’s circumstances, the evidence, and any prior disciplinary history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will criminal charges affect a physician’s medical license?

Criminal charges can affect a physician’s medical license. However, the outcome depends on the nature of the charges, the state’s licensing laws, and the circumstances of the case. Even if a physician hasn’t been convicted of a crime, a medical licensing board may investigate the allegations and determine whether disciplinary action is necessary.

Here are a few ways criminal charges may affect a medical license:

• License suspension: A board may temporarily suspend a physician’s license in certain circumstances, particularly when patient safety is a concern.
• License revocation: Serious offenses, such as healthcare fraud or certain felony convictions, may lead to permanent loss of licensure.
• Practice restrictions: A board may impose conditions or limitations on a physician’s ability to practice.

Can a physician continue practicing while under investigation?

In Georgia, a physician can generally continue practicing while under investigation. Under Georgia law, the Medical Board may summarily suspend a physician’s license without a prior hearing when emergency action is necessary to protect public health, safety, or welfare, including alleged sexual assault on a patient. An experienced medical license defense attorney can explain your rights during the investigation. 

Does a malpractice lawsuit put a medical license at risk?

A malpractice lawsuit does not automatically put a physician’s medical license at risk. However, it can trigger a medical board investigation, especially if the allegations involve serious negligence, patient safety concerns, or repeated complaints.

The medical licensing board may investigate a malpractice lawsuit to determine whether the physician violated professional standards. The board may review the allegations, medical records, and other evidence before deciding whether further action is needed. If the investigation uncovers evidence of misconduct, the physician may face disciplinary action. Depending on the severity of the findings and applicable state laws, this could include practice restrictions, license suspension, or other penalties.

What is the process for possibly getting one’s medical license back?

Physicians seeking to reinstate a medical license in Georgia must submit an application to the Georgia Composite Medical Board and meet the applicable licensing requirements. In Georgia, medical license reinstatement typically takes four to six weeks, and completed applications must be received at least five business days before the next monthly Medical Board meeting to be considered for approval.

Applicants will submit: 

• Completed application: Include the required forms, CV, applicant affidavit, reference form, and malpractice questionnaire.
• Application fee: The checklist lists fees of $300 for inactive licenses and $500 for lapsed or revoked licenses.
• Continuing medical education: Provide certificates documenting 80 hours of qualifying CME completed during the previous four years.
• Licensing history: Submit verification of licenses held in other states or jurisdictions.
• Background documentation: Provide required self-query reports, malpractice records, and explanations of relevant arrests or disciplinary matters, as applicable.

Contact a Georgia Medical License Defense Attorney 

Disciplinary outcomes in a Georgia medical board investigation can range widely, but they can be severe. If you learn you are under investigation, take the matter seriously and avoid guessing how the case will turn out. Instead of handling the process alone or risking your medical license, contact an experienced Georgia medical license defense attorney as early as possible.