Licensed medical professionals must adhere to ethical and professional standards set by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). If a complaint is filed that the IDFPR deems a violation, the licensee may be required to pass an assessment by Ethics and Boundaries Assessment Services, LLC (EBAS).
EBAS, established in 2013, administers essay-based exams. These exams assess a professional’s understanding of ethics and boundaries. It reports scores to the IDFPR for use in ongoing disciplinary investigations.
For example, in February 2019, the IDFPR placed a surgeon’s license on indefinite probation after concerns about his conduct. His license reinstatement depended on passing EBAS. Another surgeon received a reprimand for failing to inform a patient about the scope of a physical exam and was required to pass EBAS.
The EBAS exam is a computerized, multi-disciplinary essay test. It includes general questions and scenarios that may be outside the test-taker’s profession. For example, a question may ask the licensee to address a boundary violation between a teacher and a student.
Licensees don’t receive scores at the testing center. Instead, EBAS sends their essays to seven trained graders for evaluation. These graders include professionals with regulatory experience, legal counsel, and board members. EBAS then sends the final score, along with a detailed report of strengths and weaknesses, to both the licensee and IDFPR. The exam is graded on a scale of 16 points per essay, with 12 points required to pass. If a licensee fails any essay question, they can retake only the failed section.
How Can 1818 Help?
Given the time and cost involved, preparing thoroughly for the EBAS is essential. This ensures a swift recovery of your professional license and reputation. Our experienced professional license-defense attorneys can help you effectively navigate the legal process, protect your rights, and advocate for your best interests.
Don’t risk your license and livelihood; call us at (312) 779-1818 or fill out our online contact form for further assistance and expert advice.
