On a regular basis, I receive telephone calls from physicians and nurses asking me if discipline from another state can affect their Pennsylvania license. The answer is yes.
63 P.S. §422.21(4) of the Medical Practice Act permits the Medical Board to sanction a physician who has had disciplinary action taken by another state.
This act applies even if the physician has an inactive license in Pennsylvania. If the physician has held a Pennsylvania license at any point in his or her career, Pennsylvania is still permitted to impose disciplinary action based on discipline issued in another state.
There are similar provisions that apply to dentists, nurses and pharmacists.
We have represented many healthcare professionals in reciprocal discipline cases. We are often able to negotiate a Consent Agreement that allows the healthcare professional to continue practicing their profession if they have been disciplined in another state.
