Business oversight board lists 186 actions

The state agency that acts as watchdog over individuals and groups that do business or maintain practices in Pennsylvania has issued 186 disciplinary actions, the secretary of the commonwealth said Tuesday.

Of the actions, all lodged in December, 26 target people or organizations in Philadelphia, 14 in Delaware County, 10 in Chester County, nine in Bucks County, and eight in Montgomery County, according to a statement issued by the Pennsylvania Department of State.

The department presides over the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, which maintains 29 professional licensing boards.

The bureau oversees 780,000 professionals and businesses. Those include auctioneers, barbers, chiropractors, engineers, funeral directors, nurses, nursing home administrators, optometrists, pharmacists, physicians, hairdressers, and manicurists.

The department also has responsibility for policing notaries and charitable organizations.

Secretary Basil L. Merenda said a list of the sanctions could be viewed online at www.dos.state.pa.us by clicking "Licensing" and then "Disciplinary Actions."

Entries include the person or organization's name, address, license number, and the alleged infraction.