Investigations

Complaints and Investigations

Approximately 600–700 of the nearly 1,200 total complaints received by the Oregon Medical Board result in a complete and detailed investigation. Some complaints are referred to appropriate state or professional organizations for review, while others are resolved quickly by the Board's Investigations Department when the initial investigation finds insufficient evidence of a Medical Practice Act violation by the licensee.

The Board's Investigations Department protects the public by receiving and investigating complaints against applicants and licensees to determine whether there has been a violation of state law under Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS), Chapter 677 (Medical Practice Act), or Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR), Chapter 847.

Complaints come from a variety of sources, including patients and their families, health care organizations, and other health care professionals. Each complaint is unique and is considered on its own merits given its specific set of circumstances.

There are more than 27 separate grounds for discipline or denial of a license under the Medical Practice Act, most of which are very specific. The most common complaints received by the Board involve Unprofessional or Dishonorable Conduct, Gross Negligence or Repeated Negligence, and Prescribing Controlled Substances Without a Legitimate Medical Purpose. All grounds for discipline are set forth in ORS 677.190.

Complaint and Investigation Process

The Complaint Process

Complaints must be submitted in writing per ORS 677.200(1). The Board will only investigate complaints that allege a violation of Oregon law by a Board licensee.

The Board will notify the reporting party whether an investigation will be opened, and again when the case is resolved. Complaints may take many months to resolve. The reporting party is welcome to contact the Board for status updates at any time, though patience during the investigative process is appreciated.

The Board's Complaint Resource Officer is available to answer questions about filing a complaint, the complaint process, and additional resources for issues that fall outside the purview of the Board.

Details on how to file a complaint are on the Board's How to File a Complaint webpage.

Mandatory Reporters: Who Must Report to the Board? 

The Investigative Process

The OMB investigates alleged violations of the Medical Practice Act. Complaints and investigations are confidential under Oregon law.

The Board's Investigative Committee (IC) reviews cases under investigation, interviews licensees, and provides guidance to staff investigators.

The IC makes recommendations on case resolutions to the full Board, which must make the final decision regarding any potential disciplinary action.

Detailed information on the investigative process can be found on the Information for Person Making a Complaint and Information for Licensees Under Investigation webpages.

Resolutions to Investigations

The majority of investigations (approximately 90%) close after the Board has found no conclusive evidence that the licensee has violated the Medical Practice Act. In cases where the Board believes discipline is warranted, a negotiated settlement is the most common outcome. If an agreement cannot be reached, the licensee may request a contested case hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). The licensee may have an attorney and present witnesses and evidence.

After a contested case hearing, the ALJ issues a proposed final order for the Board's consideration. Board members then review the completed transcript and proposed final order from the ALJ and hear any exceptions the licensee may have to the proposed order before the Board renders a decision.

Following deliberations, the Board may suspend judgment, place the licensee on probation, revoke the license, suspend the license, place limitations on the license, take other disciplinary action, or dismiss the allegations. Licensees may also be fined and assessed hearing costs or referred to the Health Professionals' Services Program (HPSP).

Ensuring Equity in Disciplinary Outcomes

In 2024, the Oregon Secretary of State Audits Division issued a report on equity in the OMB's disciplinary processes. The auditors did not find any evidence of inequity, but they made four recommendations to ensure continuing equity in the future. As of July 1, 2026, the OMB will have successfully implemented all four of these recommendations.

SOS Audit Recommendations