When a complaint is filed with the North Carolina Medical Board (NCMB), one of the first questions physicians ask is: “What can the Board actually do to me?”

The answer isn’t always straightforward. The NCMB has a range of options—some private, some public, some disciplinary, and some technically “non-disciplinary” but still visible to the world. Understanding these outcomes can help you take control of the process early and protect your license, reputation, and career.

Telemedicine lets physicians diagnose, treat, and prescribe from virtually anywhere. But while the patient may not be physically in your exam room, North Carolina law still cares deeply about where the patient is located during that encounter.

Writing prescriptions for yourself or a family member may seem convenient, but in North Carolina it can quickly lead to a licensing investigation. The North Carolina Medical Board has made its expectations clear in Position Statement 2.2.3: Self-Treatment and Treatment of Family Members.