Who imposes sanctions for licensing violations?

• A. The board
• B. A court
• C. An independent arbitration panel
• D. The public auditor

Answer: (A)

Licensing sanctions are handled by the board because it has the direct authority to oversee who is allowed to practice and to enforce standards. The board can investigate complaints, conduct hearings, and issue disciplinary decisions that may include reprimands, probation, fines, suspension, or revocation of a license. This structure exists so the public is protected by ensuring practitioners meet required standards and respond appropriately to misconduct.

A court typically comes into play to review the board’s decision on appeal or to enforce penalties, but it does not usually initiate the sanction itself. An independent arbitration panel is not the standard body for licensing discipline, even though arbitration may be used in other types of disputes; it generally does not handle professional licensing sanctions. The public auditor audits performance and compliance but does not impose disciplinary penalties on individual licensees.