What is the composition of the probable cause panel for Florida disciplinary investigations?

• A. Two members who are current (one may be former) with no more than one lay member
• B. Three members, including at least one lay member
• C. Two members who must be licensed physicians
• D. Four members, none of whom are lay members

Answer: (A)

The panel is designed to be a small, fast-review body drawn from the licensing board. It consists of two members who are currently serving on the board, with the option that one can be a former member, and it includes no more than one lay member. This structure ensures there’s professional judgment from a licensed professional—typically one or both members are physicians or other licensees—while still allowing a touch of public oversight through a lay member, without overloading the panel with non-professional perspectives. The two-person format keeps the process efficient, since the panel decides whether there is probable cause to move forward with disciplinary action or to dismiss the matter.

Choosing a larger panel or removing lay representation would slow or skew the review. For example, three or four members would unnecessarily complicate and delay decisions, and requiring all members to be licensed physicians would eliminate the necessary lay input. Conversely, allowing more than one lay member would reduce the professional perspective that helps assess whether probable cause exists.