License Sanction for Debt Collection

Professional license at risk if debt not paid.

What are license sanctions?

If an individual owes at least $1,000 in debt being collected by the Central Collections Unit (CCU) of the Iowa Department of Revenue, the CCU can request that the professional license of the individual be…

• Suspended
• Revoked
• Denied issuance
• Denied renewal

A person whose license has been suspended or revoked is prohibited from practicing in the state of Iowa. In addition, hunting and fishing licenses may also be denied.

Debt Collected by the Central Collections Unit?

• Unpaid taxes
• Debt owed to:
  • Department of Human Services Child Support Recovery Unit
  • Department of Human Services Health & Wellness Premiums
  • Department of Human Services Medicaid Provider Overpayments
  • Department of Natural Resources
  • Iowa Insurance Division
  • Iowa Judicial Branch

Avoid License Sanction

Contact the Central Collections Unit at 866-339-7912 and request to:

• Pay your account in full or
• Make payment arrangements to repay your debt

Licenses Types Sanctioned

Below is a sample of license types. It includes licenses required to practice a profession and hunting and fishing licenses. This list is not complete.

• Accountants (CPAs and LPAs)
• Architects
• Attorneys
• Barbers
• Chiropractors
• Cosmetologists
• Dentists
• Electricians
• Farm chemical applicators
• Fishing licenses
• Hunting licenses
• Investigators
• Massage therapists
• Medical doctors
• Podiatrists
• Nurses
• Pharmacists
• Security guards
• Teachers
• Veterinarians

Licensing Authorities

Licensing authorities include, but is not limited to:

• Iowa Board of Educational Examiners
• Iowa Dental Board
• Iowa Board of Medicine
• Iowa Board of Veterinary Medicine
• Iowa Department of Commerce
• Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing
• Iowa Department of Natural Resources
• Iowa Department of Public Health
• Iowa Department of Public Safety
• Iowa Department of Transportation
• Iowa Supreme Court – Professional Regulation
• Iowa Workforce Development

License Sanction Process

1. The Central Collections Unit (CCU) notifies the licensee by mail about the debt. The licensee is given 20 days to respond and establish a repayment agreement or pay in full.
2. If a licensee fails to respond, set up a repayment schedule, or comply with a repayment agreement, the CCU sends a Certificate of Non Compliance to the appropriate licensing authority.
3. The licensing authority notifies the licensee that the license will be suspended or revoked. The licensee has 30 days to pay the debt or make arrangements with the CCU to pay the debt in installments.
4. If the licensing authority does not receive word from the CCU that the debt has been resolved, it suspends or revokes the licensee’s license. If a license is already on suspension, the license is revoked.

License Reinstatement

The licensee must pay the debt or enter into an installment payment agreement with the Central Collections Unit (CCU) to remove the grounds for suspension or revocation.

If a licensee enters into an installment agreement, but breaks that agreement, they must pay the liability in full in order to have the license reinstated.

The CCU sends a Withdrawal of Certificate of Non Compliance to the licensing authority if the debt is paid or if the licensee enters into an installment payment agreement.

Payment Plans

Payment plans are allowed if licensees can prove they don’t have the ability to pay the debt in full. Plans must be approved by the Central Collections Unit (CCU). The terms of the payment agreement will be based on each licensee’s specific financial situation. The payment plans must be in writing using the form provided by the CCU.

Conference Request

A licensee may request a phone conference with the Central Collections Unit (CCU). The request must be made in writing within 20 days of the mailing date of the letter. The request form will be attached to the notice that is sent to the licensee.

The CCU will notify the licensee of the date and time of the conference by regular mail. If the licensee fails to appear by telephone for the conference, the CCU will issue a Certificate of Non Compliance.

The CCU will not issue a Certificate of Non Compliance if:

• The unit finds a mistake in the identity of the person
• The unit finds a mistake in determining the amount of the liability
• The unit determines the amount of the debt is not greater than $1,000
• The licensee enters into an acceptable payment plan

Licensee Rights

If a licensee believes a Certificate of Non Compliance was issued in error, the licensee can file a petition in district court.

The licensee must:

• File a petition in district court within 30 days after the licensing authority issues the notice of intent to suspend or revoke the license. This will stop the suspension or revocation until the case is concluded.
• Send a copy of the petition to the licensing authority.

The only issues the court will consider are whether the debtor has been correctly identified and whether the amount of the debt is accurate.

Confidentiality

Information shared by licensing authorities with the Central Collections Unit is confidential. It will be used only for the purposes of collecting debt under the license sanction law.

Resources

Code - reference the Iowa Legislative Website for current and historic version of the Iowa Code.

• 272D.1 Definitions
• 272D.2 Purpose and use
• 272D.3 Notice to person of potential sanction of license
• 272D.4 Conference
• 272D.5 Written Agreement
• 272D.6 Decision of the unit
• 272D.7 Certificate of noncompliance - certification to licensing authority
• 272D.8 Requirements and procedures of licensing authority
• 272D.9 District court hearing

Rules - reference the Iowa Legislative Website for current and historic version of Iowa Administrative Rules.