The Empowered Patient Coalition provides resources enabling patients to take control of their medical treatments.

State Medical Boards

State Medical Boards license physicians, investigate complaints, discipline those who violate their state Medical Practice Act, conduct physician evaluations and recommend rehabilitation of physicians, if indicated. By following up on complaints from the public, medical boards are designed to be a means to enforce basic standards of competence and ethical behavior in physicians.

The structure and authority of medical boards vary from state to state. Some boards are independent and maintain all licensing and disciplinary powers, while others are part of a larger umbrella agency, such as a state department of health. State Medical Boards are usually comprised of volunteer physicians and other members who are, in most cases, appointed by the governor.

Visit the Patient's Right to Know Website for a Map of State Medical Boards

State Nursing Boards

Boards of Nursing are state governmental agencies that are responsible for the regulation of nursing practice. Once a nursing license is issued, the board monitoring licensees' compliance to state laws and takes action against the licenses of those nurses who have demonstrated unsafe nursing practices. Each state or territory has a law called the Nurse Practice Act which is enforced by each nursing board. Nurses must comply with the law and all associated rules in order to maintain their licenses.
 

State Nursing Boards