When Social Media Gets You in Trouble with Your Licensing Board

Social media has become a central part of modern communication. For licensed professionals, however, posting online is not always without consequence. Increasingly, boards responsible for licensing and regulation are using social media activity as evidence in disciplinary proceedings (Bauer, 2022). What might seem like a harmless Facebook rant or a TikTok joke can escalate into an investigation that threatens a professional's livelihood.

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Why Social Media Matters to Licensing Boards

Licensing boards view themselves as protectors of the public's trust. This responsibility extends beyond the technical competence of a licensee to encompass behavior that could affect confidence in the profession. Common issues that lead to disciplinary action include posts that appear unprofessional, disclose confidential information, promote unsafe practices, or reflect bias or discrimination (National Council of State Boards of Nursing, 2023).

Even off-duty behavior is often scrutinized. Boards have argued that online activity reflects directly on a licensee's fitness to practice. In one documented case, a teacher faced discipline for political TikTok videos, while in another, a nurse was sanctioned after referencing patients on Facebook, despite omitting names (Hudson, 2021).

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Risks and Examples

The risks are not hypothetical. Cases across multiple professions demonstrate how social media can intersect with licensing discipline:

• Nurses have faced termination and board complaints for posting about patient interactions (NCSBN, 2023).
• Educators have been investigated for social media content that parents or administrators viewed as creating a hostile environment (Hudson, 2021).
• Contractors and other tradespeople have been scrutinized for posts suggesting shortcuts or unsafe practices (Bauer, 2022).

These examples illustrate that social media has blurred the boundary between personal expression and professional accountability.

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Guidance for Professionals

There are several steps professionals can take to reduce their risk of disciplinary action:

• Pause before posting and consider how the content might appear if reviewed by a licensing board.
• Familiarize yourself with the specific social media guidelines issued by professional boards in your jurisdiction.
• Use privacy settings cautiously, understanding that screenshots can make "private" posts public.
• Assume that anything shared online has permanence.

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Conclusion

Social media presents unique challenges for licensed professionals. While it can be a valuable outlet for connection and expression, it also creates exposure to disciplinary risk. By understanding board expectations and exercising caution, professionals can avoid the consequences of online missteps.

References

• Bauer, M. (2022). Professional conduct and social media use: Emerging issues for licensing boards. Journal of Professional Regulation, 12(3), 201-215.
• Hudson, L. (2021). Off-duty conduct and professional accountability: The impact of social media. Educational Policy Review, 29(2), 144-160.
• National Council of State Boards of Nursing. (2023). A nurse's guide to the use of social media. NCSBN. https://www.ncsbn.org/nurses-guide-social-media