North Carolina Medical Board

How the official source says to file

• Choose the patients-and-public complaint pathway, including when reporting care received by a relative or another person. The page distinguishes it from healthcare-professional reporting.
• File online, or request a paper form and send it by regular mail. Online attachments must not exceed 20 MB; the FAQ warns that larger submissions will not reach the Board.
• For patient-specific concerns, provide the patient’s full name and date of birth, facilities involved, and dates of appointments and consultations. Review the actual intake declarations before filing; no submission was tested.

Supporting guidance: NCMB: complaint pathways ↗NCMB: general complaint information ↗NCMB: complaint FAQs ↗

What this route may not provide

The Board acts to protect the public. It cannot help you sue for money, settle fee disputes, resolve disability-compensation disagreements, or mediate personality conflicts with clinicians or office staff.

Supporting guidance: NCMB: complaint FAQs ↗

Do not guess about confidentiality

Anonymous complaints are accepted, but enough factual information must be supplied to investigate. The Board does not disclose identifying complainant information, yet sends the complaint to the licensee and cannot guarantee anonymity. Patient-care review requires identification of the patient to the licensee.

Supporting guidance: NCMB: complaint FAQs ↗NCMB: general complaint information ↗

Board reports no complaint filing limitation; act promptly

The general instructions expressly state there is no statute of limitations for filing a Board complaint, while recommending prompt reporting so evidence remains available. Investigation may take six months or more. These statements concern the Board process and do not determine civil-lawsuit deadlines.

Supporting guidance: NCMB: general complaint information ↗NCMB: how complaints are handled ↗

What may happen after filing

Staff screen for a possible violation. Matters warranting inquiry go to investigation; the clinician responds and medical records may be obtained. Medical and nonmedical reviewers assess the case. Named complainants receive the outcome; anonymous complainants receive no notice and can monitor public actions. Results may include closure, private action, or public discipline.

Supporting guidance: NCMB: how complaints are handled ↗NCMB: complaint FAQs ↗

Prepare a reviewable submission

State the concern you want reviewed, then add a short chronology, best supporting records, factual consequences, and a specific request for review.