What is a consent order?

• A. A temporary license suspension.
• B. A negotiated agreement between the licensee and the board outlining terms to resolve the matter without a formal hearing.
• C. A public disciplinary record.
• D. A formal hearing conducted by the board.

Answer: (B)

A consent order is a negotiated settlement between the licensee and the regulatory board to resolve a disciplinary matter without going through a formal hearing. It states the terms the licensee will follow, such as penalties, obligations, and remediation steps (like coursework, supervision, reporting requirements), and becomes binding once the board approves it. The key idea is that it avoids a hearing by agreeing on what will happen. It's not merely a temporary suspension, since a consent order may include or involve conditions beyond a suspension; and it's different from a formal hearing, which is the adversarial process used when no settlement is reached.