Yes. Under California’s Business and Professions Code (BPC), licensing boards are required to create and maintain a central file for each licensee. These files must contain information related to:
1. Any conviction for a crime that constitutes unprofessional conduct;
2. Any judgment or settlement in excess of $3,000 related to professional malpractice;
3. Any public complaints;
4. Disciplinary actions; and
5. Reports regarding discipline from health care facilities.
These files may be reviewed by law enforcement and/or regulatory agencies. Some information contained in these files, such as records of formal disciplinary actions, must be made available to the public. Each Board maintains specific policies with regards to Disciplinary Publications.
Under this law, licensees (or their attorneys) are permitted to inspect and make copies of the complete file. In some cases, information related to the identity of an information source may be redacted.
Reviewing these files, and in particular, the complaints made against you can be crucial in developing a strategy to respond to a Board investigation. Your professional license defense attorney can analyze the contents of your central file and work with you to craft a defense to any allegations contained in the file.