Is it reportable?

When is an action reportable to the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB)? The Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration’s Data Bank News website offers periodic reporting scenario articles that answer this question. The following was posted earlier this week on the website, along with five frequently asked questions about Continuous Query (formerly known as Proactive Disclosure Service).

Q: A state licensing board issued a formal cease and desist order to an unlicensed practitioner who held herself out to be a licensed psychotherapist. Should the action be reported to the NPDB?

A: Yes. NPDB regulations define a healthcare practitioner as an individual who is licensed or otherwise authorized by a state to provide healthcare services or any individual who, without authority, holds himself or herself out to be so licensed or authorized. Therefore, state licensure and certification actions taken against unlicensed individuals that result from a formal proceeding must be reported to the Data Bank. When reporting an action against an unlicensed individual, select "No License" on the licensure information screen, and select the field of licensure claimed by the individual for the "Occupation/Field of Licensure" category.

Source: HRSA