Know Your Regulator: The Podcast that Inspires You to Engage

Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes at the agency that regulates Texas mental health professionals? Executive Director Darrel Spinks pulls back the curtain on the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC) - the unique regulatory body overseeing psychologists, counselors, marriage and family therapists, and social workers across the Lone Star State. Formed through what Spinks calls...

A misdemeanor conviction doesn't have to derail your professional career, but understanding how licensing boards evaluate your history is crucial. Attorney LaJuana Acklin joins Cimone Murphree to demystify the complex relationship between criminal records and professional licensing. The conversation tackles a widespread misconception – that only felonies matter when it comes to professional l...

The legal landscape for Texas physicians navigating abortion services has been fraught with uncertainty since the Texas Heartbeat Act took effect in September 2021. Tony Bertolino, managing partner at Bertolino LLP and specialist in professional license defense, joins us to shed light on critical clarifications being proposed to this consequential legislation. At the heart of this discussion lies...

The aesthetic medicine landscape in Texas has undergone significant regulatory restructuring, and practitioners need to take notice. Tony Bertolino, managing partner at the Bertolino Law Firm, joins us to dissect the Texas Medical Board's reorganized rules governing non-surgical cosmetic procedures like Botox and dermal fillers. While these changes don't revolutionize what's permitt...

Navigating the intersection of artificial intelligence and professional licensing presents both unprecedented opportunities and complex challenges. As AI transforms industries like healthcare, legal services, and real estate, professionals must understand how to harness these powerful tools while maintaining compliance with regulatory standards and ethical obligations. This conversation with exper...

When your professional license is threatened by disciplinary action, understanding the regulatory process becomes critical to your career's survival. Our conversation with attorney Kerry Bloodsaw pulls back the curtain on two pivotal stages of administrative proceedings that can determine a license holder's fate. Kerry walks us through the stark differences between Informal Settlement Co...

Dive into the current Texas legislative session as we unpack significant bills that could reshape education, health care, public safety, and energy. With Senate Bill 2 making headlines by proposing a controversial education savings account system, families are faced with a choice that may pull resources from public schools. We explore the balance of options presented in these discussions, weighing...

Are you a chiropractor looking to protect your professional license? In our latest episode, we sit down with Joseph McLaughlin, General Counsel for the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners (TBCE), to discuss the complaint process and what every practitioner needs to know. Complaints can arise from various issues, including billing violations, standard of care concerns, and patient record disputes...

Unlock the secrets of becoming a licensed chiropractor in Texas with expert insights from Sarah Matthews, Licensing Director for the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners. Join us, Cimone Murphree and MJ Hooper, as we navigate the complex journey from the initial application to the final licensing stages. Sarah Matthews reveals the meticulous process and criteria for obtaining a chiropractic licen...

Ever wonder how laws that shape your profession come to life in Texas? We're here to unravel the intricate Texas lawmaking process that only happens every two years. Join hosts Cimone Murphree and MJ Hooper as they navigate the journey of a bill from its initial stages to the governor's desk, highlighting the pivotal role of committees and how public voices can alter the legislative cour...

In this episode of Know Your Regulator , hosts Cimone Murphree and MJ Hooper sit down with Dr. TwoSisters, a licensed psychologist, to discuss her journey as a license holder and her experience working with the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC). Dr. TwoSisters shares the pivotal moments that led her to psychology, her unexpected first major interaction with her regulatory agency, an...

Unlock the secrets of navigating the high-stakes world of professional license suspensions with the guidance of seasoned experts, Tony Bertolino and Troy Beaulieu from Bertolino Law Firm. (https://www.belolaw.com/) Discover how temporary suspensions, often triggered by allegations like crimes or drug use, can drastically impact a professional's career and why it's crucial to have experie...

A must-watch for any licensed professional! Unlock the secrets to safeguarding your professional future with insights from Mark Rafail of the Rafail Insurance Agency. Discover why errors and omissions insurance (E&O) is the essential safety net for professionals in advisory roles, from real estate to healthcare. Mark shares his expertise on the differences between general and professional liab...

What happens when criminal charges threaten not just your freedom but your professional license too? In this insightful episode, we’re joined by legal experts Troy Beaulieu, and Tony Bertolino from Bertolino Law Firm (https://www.belolaw.com/) and Justin Keiter from The Keiter Law Firm (https://keiterlawfirm.com/) as they explore the high-stakes world where criminal law collides with professional...

Uncover the intricate layers of a scandal that has shaken the Texas education system to its core. Join hosts Cimone Murphree and MJ Hooper, as they sit down to dissect the 2024 teacher certification fraud scandal with Tony Bertolino, managing partner of the Bertolino Law Firm.(https://www.belolaw.com/) This episode unfolds an eye-opening exploration of how flawed oversight and certification proces...

Discover the secrets behind efficient licensing and swift enforcement processes for speech-language pathologists in this week’s episode of Know Your Regulator! Learn how the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) manages thousands of applications each year with remarkable speed and precision. Joined by Ron Foster, Director of Enforcement, and Katie Brice, Deputy Director of Licensing,...

Is public accountability worth the cost of individual reputations? Join us as we continue to examine the teacher certification cheating scandal in Texas, where over 100 educators are embroiled in allegations of fraud. With insights from a panel of top-tier attorneys—Kerry Bloodsaw, LaJuana Acklin, and Troy Beaulieu—we dissect the Texas Education Agency's explosive decision to release the name...

Curious about navigating the intricate landscape of licensing and enforcement for massage therapists in Texas? We’re here to guide you through it with insights from our expert guests, Ron Foster and Heather Muehr from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). In this episode, we’ll cover everything you need to know about student permits, instructor certifications, and establishment...

What if the very people entrusted with educating our children were themselves embroiled in deceit and fraud? Join us as we uncover the shocking Texas Teacher Certification Cheating Ring, a scandal that has left a lasting impact on the state's educational system. With legal experts Troy Beaulieu, LaJuana Acklin, and Kerry Bloodsaw, we navigate the murky waters of this intricate case. You'...

Unlock the keys to navigating the complex world of nursing regulations in Texas with our insightful guest, nurse advocate Maggie. Discover why copying and pasting notes in electronic medical records could land you in hot water, and how maintaining documentation integrity is more crucial than ever. Together, we explore the implications of audit trails, the evolving role of digital technology, and h...

Unlock the secrets to effective communication with your attorney and support staff in our latest episode of Know Your Regulator . We, Cimone Murphree and guest paralegal Lesa Surber, promise you'll gain invaluable insights on maximizing your interactions with legal professionals. Discover the power of preparation, the necessity of bringing relevant documents and questions to meetings, and the...

Unlock the secrets behind the veterinary complaint process with insights from our special guests, Mark Lee, Staff Attorney, and Brittany Sharkey, Executive Director of the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. This episode of Know Your Regulator reveals the meticulous journey a complaint traverses, from initial screening to potential escalation to the State Office of Administrative Hearings...

Have you ever wondered how veterinary professionals are regulated and how these regulations impact both public safety and the veterinary industry? Join us as we sit down with Brittany Sharkey, Executive Director, and Mark Lee, Staff Attorney from the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. Brittany and Mark share their unique journeys – from private practice and the Navy to their roles in ens...

Ready to uncover the crucial link between mental health and professional licensing? Join us as Dr. Brian Russell, a seasoned psychologist and attorney, takes us through his unique journey shaped by a law enforcement background and a clinical psychology mentor. We promise an enlightening discussion on the immense stress and anxiety that come with high-stakes careers in law, healthcare, and first-re...

What does it really take to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)? Join us as we uncover the intricate journey with our special guest, Ana Garcia. From earning a bachelor's in clinical psychology and a master's in counseling, to completing the demanding 3,000-hour internship and practicum requirements, Ms. Garcia provides a detailed roadmap for aspiring LPCs. We’ll walk you thro...