Conducting forensic examinations on the road: Are you practicing your profession without a license?

Psychiatrists and other mental health professionals retained in civil or cr iminal litigation are frequently required to travel to a state in which the y are not licensed to perform assessments and offer testimony. Adverse prof essional and legal consequences may await the unwary peripatetic forensic e xpert. Failure to address local practice requirements may result in disqual ification to testify as well as civil and criminal liability, professional disciplinary action, and denial of liability insurance coverage. In this ar ticle, the authors address preventative measures to avoid charges of practi cing without a license when the forensic expert crosses state lines.