A PYMNTS Company

US: New case mulls relationship between professional boards, antitrust law

By  |  May 6, 2013
US: New case mulls relationship between professional boards, antitrust law

A recently-filed federal lawsuit in the state of New Jersey has reportedly re-opened the debate as to the relationship between antitrust law and professional certification boards. The suit, filed April 23, concerns the practice of requiring healthcare specialists to participate in a training and testing program, or else risk being barred from practicing in the market. The suit accuses the American Board of Medical Specialties, which oversees 24 medical boards, of violating antitrust law by hampering competition through the exclusion of those healthcare specialists. The case was initiated by physicians opposed to the requirement. The case may have strong implications for various other markets, as similar requirements are held within professions like accounting and law. According to one expert, while these cases are not uncommon, they are rarely successful for the professionals who initiate the contest.

    Get the Full Story

    Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.

    Subscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today.

    By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

    Full Content: Thomson Reuters

    We’d love to be your preferred source for news.

    Please add us to your preferred sources list so our news, data and interviews show up in your feed. Thanks!

    Add as Preferred Source

    Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.