How to check
How do you file a complaint with a state licensing board?
You generally file a complaint with the specific state licensing board that issued the professional’s license in the state where the services or practice occurred. The board will usually ask for the practitioner’s name and license number, dates, a description of what happened, and copies of any supporting records or screenshots. Archived copies of websites, videos, and ads can be important, because marketing materials sometimes change after a complaint is made. If your concern is mainly about deceptive advertising claims rather than professional conduct, you may also need to report it to the federal consumer‑protection regulator.
Contact the correct state licensing board
Complaints about licensed professionals are usually handled by the board that issued the license in the state where the practice or services took place. Many boards offer consumer guidance and online complaint options through their own websites, often linked from national organizations that list state medical and other licensing boards.[{"label":"FSMB consumer resources","url":"https://www.fsmb.org/consumer-resources/"}] Before you start, confirm which board oversees that profession and that the person or business holds an active license in that state.
Information you will likely need to provide
State licensing boards generally expect written complaints that include the practitioner’s name and, when possible, license number, along with the location and dates of the events you are reporting.[{"label":"FSMB consumer resources","url":"https://www.fsmb.org/consumer-resources/"}] Boards also usually ask for a clear description of what was claimed or done and any records that support your account, such as contracts, bills, clinical or business records, or other documents that help them understand what happened.
Save copies of pages, videos, and other evidence
Archived copies of web pages, social‑media posts, and videos matter because online marketing content can be changed or removed after someone complains. Saving or printing what you saw at the time, including dated screenshots and downloaded files, can help a licensing board compare later versions with the original materials if advertising or representations of services are part of your concern.[{"label":"FSMB consumer resources","url":"https://www.fsmb.org/consumer-resources/"}]
When to involve a federal consumer‑protection agency
A state licensing board focuses on whether a licensee’s conduct complies with professional and licensing standards. If your main concern is that advertising or marketing materials are false, misleading, or deceptive to consumers, those issues may also fall under the jurisdiction of the federal consumer‑protection regulator. That agency accepts online reports of suspected fraud or misleading business practices through its dedicated complaint portal.[{"label":"FTC ReportFraud portal","url":"https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/"}]
Check it yourself
Related
FAQ
Which board should I send my complaint to?+
Complaints generally go to the state board that issued the professional’s license in the same state where the services or practice occurred.
Read the full answerHide the full answer
Complaints generally go to the state board that issued the professional’s license in the same state where the services or practice occurred. National listings of state boards can help you identify the correct agency before you file.[{"label":"FSMB consumer resources","url":"https://www.fsmb.org/consumer-resources/"}]
What documents should I attach to a licensing complaint?+
Boards usually ask for copies of anything that supports your description of events, such as contracts, bills, records, and screenshots or saved copies of websites and videos that show the claims or conduct you are reporting.[{"label":"FSMB consumer resources","url":"https://www.fsmb.org/consumer-resources/"}]
Where do I report misleading health or service advertising?+
You can report deceptive or misleading advertising to the federal consumer‑protection regulator using its online fraud and scam reporting portal.
Read the full answerHide the full answer
You can report deceptive or misleading advertising to the federal consumer‑protection regulator using its online fraud and scam reporting portal. If a licensed professional is involved, you may also choose to notify the relevant state licensing board so it can review the conduct under its own standards.[{"label":"FTC ReportFraud portal","url":"https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/"}]