The Board evaluates all complaints to ensure public protection. All allegations are evaluated with respect to jurisdiction, risk to the public and the circumstances leading to the reported incident/event.
The North Carolina Board of Nursing does NOT regulate the following categories:
- Certified Nursing Assistants or Nurse Aides - Refer complaints to:
- Division of Health Service Regulation
- 1-800-624-3004
- Complaints against a facility - Refer complaints to:
- Division of Health Service Regulation
- 1-800-624-3004
- Labor/Personnel Issues - Refer complaints to:
- N.C. Department of Labor
- 1-800-625-2267
- Physicians/Physician Assistants - Refer complaints to:
- NC Medical Board
- 1-800-253-9653
- Medical Assistants - Refer to place of employment
- Office Staff/Unlicensed Personnel - Refer to place of employment
Self-Report
Nurses are required to self-report arrests or indictments to the North Carolina Board of Nursing within 30 days for any of the following:
- Any felony arrest of indictment;
- Any arrest for driving while impaired or driving under the influence; and
- Any arrest of indictment for the possession, use, or sale of any controlled substance.
Nurses may also self-report instances of positive drug screens, impairment/diversion, or deficits in their practice.
To self-report, please visit the Nurse Portal.
Public Complaint
The Board is responsible for ensuring that only competent licensed nurses are allowed to practice nursing. If you believe that a nurses’ performance is incompetent, negligent or unsafe, you have a right and responsibility to file a complaint with the Board. It is always better if the report is made close to the time of the event. Locating witnesses and finding documents is more difficult as time passes thus impeding the effectiveness of the investigation.
Complaints should be submitted on the complaint form and include your name and contact information, though anonymous complaints will be accepted. The investigator will do all he/she can to protect your anonymity; however, if there are charges brought against the nurse, you may be required to testify. The nurse has the right to contest and therefore would have the right to question the source of information at an Administrative Hearing. All complainants who provide their contact information are notified of the final outcome of their complaint. Not all complaints will result in Board investigation or disciplinary action.
To submit a public complaint, please visit the Complaint Portal.
Employer Complaint
The Board recognizes minor deficits in practice which may be appropriately addressed at the employment level. Employers should refer to the Board’s Complaint Evaluation Tool (CET) to assist them in this process. The Board has developed an Event Investigation Guide as a resource for employers which may assist in the investigation of a complaint.
To submit an employer complaint, please visit the Complaint Portal.
