Exams require trust and physical contact, which is why misconduct by a doctor, nurse or technician can be hard to name at first. This guide explains the warning signs, how to report to a state licensing board, and the records that matter if you consider a claim against a practice or hospital.
Reviewed by Abuse Justice Center · Updated 2026-10-28
Medical abuse often happens in a setting where the patient has been told that touch is necessary. Many survivors describe doubting themselves for years. Signs that an exam was not appropriate include touching that was not explained before it happened, an exam of an area unrelated to the reason for the visit, refusal of a chaperone, comments about the patient's body, or contact after hours on a personal phone.
Each state has a board that licenses and disciplines physicians, and some states have separate boards for osteopathic physicians. The Federation of State Medical Boards maintains a directory with contact details for each state and territory. Nurses, physician assistants and other professionals are licensed by their own state boards. A board complaint can lead to an investigation and discipline, but it does not award money to the patient.
According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway, physicians, nurses and other health-care workers are mandated reporters in 46 states, the District of Columbia and several territories. In federal settings, 34 U.S.C. 20341 lists physicians, nurses, hospital personnel and administrators, and many other health practitioners among covered professionals who must report suspected child abuse. Colleagues who see a pattern may have reporting obligations of their own.
Depending on the facts, a civil claim may name the individual provider and the practice, hospital or health system that employed or credentialed them. In general terms, these claims look at chaperone policies, credentialing and re-credentialing, how patient complaints were logged and investigated, and whether the institution kept a provider in place after warnings. Medical settings can involve special procedural rules for claims, so the type of claim and the deadline should be reviewed by a licensed attorney.
Request your own records in writing and keep a copy of the request. If you are considering a claim, ask an attorney before contacting the provider directly.
RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline is free, confidential and available 24/7 at 800-656-4673. If the patient is a child, the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline is available at 1-800-422-4453. Use the Federation of State Medical Boards directory to find the board for your state.
Abuse Justice Center is a free information resource, not a law firm, and nothing here is legal advice. Ask any attorney how they charge before you agree. Need support now? The RAINN hotline is 800-656-4673, 24/7.
Board procedures vary by state. Many boards publish final disciplinary actions, but investigations are often confidential while they are open.
Yes. You can file with the board in the state where the conduct happened, and the provider's current state board may also take action.
No. Anyone can file a board complaint. A lawyer is more useful if you are considering a civil claim.