File a Complaint
File a Professional Licensing Complaint
If you think a licensed professional is behaving unethically or below the standards of their profession, you should submit a
Statement of Complaint Form on the Department's
PALS website. You can also file a complaint if you suspect someone is practicing without a license. If you require special accommodation in downloading or viewing the form, please email RA-ST-Complaints@pa.gov or call the complaint hotline at 717-783-4849.
Instructions to File a Complaint
For the Department of State to initiate an investigation of a possible violation, please complete a
Statement of Complaint Form. Please ensure you follow the instructions provided on the form and fill out all mandatory fields to submit your complaint successfully.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Department of State's role in handling complaints about licensed professionals?
The Pennsylvania Department of State (DOS) receives complaints concerning the licensees and registrants regulated by the Department's Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs (BPOA). Professional licensing protects the health and safety of the public from fraudulent and unethical practitioners. There are
29 licensing boards and commissions, each with their own statutes and regulations governing their respective professions. These boards are ultimately responsible for adjudicating complaints and taking disciplinary action where appropriate.
Who can file a complaint?
The Department accepts complaints from all sources and will review all information provided.
Who is responsible for reviewing a complaint?
The Professional Compliance Office, within the Prosecution Division of the BPOA's Legal Office, reviews thousands of complaints per year. Initial review of those complaints is focused on whether each complaint alleges conduct that may be a violation of governing laws and regulations and whether a board has jurisdiction over the alleged conduct.
What steps does the Department take upon receiving a complaint to determine if further investigation is necessary?
When the Department receives a complaint, legal office staff review it to determine whether it falls under the jurisdiction of the boards. Complaints are also reviewed to determine what investigation, if any, is appropriate in light of the allegations. Oftentimes, cases are investigated by the Department's Bureau of Enforcement and Investigation (BEI). BEI investigators interview witnesses, obtain relevant documentary evidence, and provide information to the Prosecution Division for review. Investigations take varying lengths of time depending on complexity.
What are the procedures for reaching settlements in disciplinary cases, and how are these settlements finalized?
In some cases, settlements are reached through a Consent Agreement and Order, where both parties (the Commonwealth and the Respondent) negotiate agreed-upon facts and penalties. These settlements must be approved by the applicable licensing board or commission.
What happens to disciplinary actions once they are finalized?
Disciplinary actions, whether through adjudication or settlement, become part of the licensee's disciplinary record and are a matter of public record. The BPOA has the authority to expunge some disciplinary matters after 5 years have passed.