Turner Padget Attorney Robyn Madden Published in HR Dive on HR Compliance and Employee Licensing

Posted On August 19, 2025

Guidance for HR compliance, employee licensing, and healthcare HR

Robyn Madden, of counsel in Turner Padget’s Columbia office, authored an article for HR Dive titled “What HR Needs to Know about Managing Licensed Professionals,” published August 18, 2025. The piece provides practical guidance for HR professionals, compliance officers, and healthcare leaders navigating the challenges of managing employees who hold professional license.

In her article, Robyn explains how state licensing board actions—such as investigations, restrictions, or suspensions—can significantly impact both employees and employers. Because licensing boards operate independently from employers, HR teams must understand how to manage these situations without overstepping or exposing the organization to legal risk.

HR professionals need to understand that licensing boards oversee credentialing and discipline independently from employers. While board investigations and sanctions may affect an employee’s ability to work, they are not employment decisions themselves. HR should respond carefully—maintaining confidentiality, following internal policies, and consulting legal counsel before sharing records or taking action—because an investigation does not automatically indicate misconduct.

Proactive strategies, such as verifying licenses at hire and periodically, establishing policies for handling restrictions or suspensions, and training management to recognize potential impairment or misconduct, can help organizations stay compliant and prepared.

For HR teams in regulated industries, particularly healthcare, these compliance challenges are critical. Following best practices in licensing oversight not only protects patient and client safety but also safeguards against employment law liability, ensures fair treatment of employees, and helps build a proactive compliance program that reduces organizational risk.

Read or listen to the full HR Dive article here:  https://www.hrdive.com/news/HR-responsibilities-employee-licenses/757204/

Robyn W. Madden is an attorney in Turner Padget’s Columbia office, where she focuses her practice on healthcare law, employment law, administrative law, and regulatory compliance. She regularly represents clients before state licensing boards and counsels businesses and professionals on how regulatory issues intersect with workplace law. Robyn’s experience gives her unique insight into the challenges HR teams face in balancing employee rights with compliance obligations, particularly in highly regulated industries such as healthcare.

To schedule a call with Robyn Madden, please contact Rene Brown at 803-227-4235 or rbrown@turnerpadget.com.