Conducting forensic examinations on the road: are you practicing your profession without a license?
Psychiatrists and other mental health professionals retained in civil or criminal litigation are frequently required to travel to a state in which they are not licensed to perform assessments and offer testimony. Adverse professional and legal consequences may await the unwary peripatetic forensic expert. Failure to address local practice requirements may result in disqualification to testify as well as civil and criminal liability, professional disciplinary action, and denial of liability insurance coverage. In this article, the authors address preventative measures to avoid charges of practicing without a license when the forensic expert crosses state lines.
Simon
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Program in Psychiatry and Law, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA. RISIMON@ix.netcom.com
Shuman
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D005104:Expert Testimony; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D008007:Licensure, Medical; D012308:Risk Management; D014481:United States