Section 34-17A-14

Denial, revocation, suspension.

(a) The board may deny, revoke, or suspend a license granted pursuant to this chapter on any of the following grounds:

(1) Conviction of a crime which the board determines to be of a nature as to render the person convicted unfit to practice marriage and family therapy. The board shall compile, maintain, and publish a list of the crimes.

(2) Violation of ethical standards of a nature as to render the person found by the board to be unfit to practice marriage and family therapy. The board shall publish and maintain the ethical standards. Either as an alternative to, or as an additional disciplinary action, the board may levy an administrative fine of up to five hundred dollars ($500) for an ethical violation.

(3) Fraud or misrepresentation in obtaining a license.

(4) Other just and sufficient cause which renders a person unfit to practice marriage and family therapy.

(b) No license may be denied, suspended, or revoked for the reasons set forth in subsection (a) without prior notice and opportunity for hearing, except that the board may, without prior notice of hearing, suspend for up to one year the license of any person convicted of a crime as set forth in subdivision (1) of subsection (a). The burden of proof shall be on the board in any proceeding to suspend or revoke a license. No license may be denied, suspended, or revoked pursuant to this section except by vote of a majority of the board membership.

(c) Any person may file a complaint with the board seeking denial, suspension, or revocation of a license issued or to be issued by the board. Complaints shall be in a form prescribed by the board and shall be verified under oath by the complainant or a duly authorized officer of a complainant. If the board determines that a complaint alleges facts which, if true, would require denial, revocation, or suspension of a license, it shall promptly institute a hearing. Whenever the board is of the opinion that a complaint does not state facts which warrant a hearing, the complaint may be dismissed. The board may institute a hearing for denial, suspension, or revocation of a license on its own motion.

(d) Any person may be permitted to intervene and participate in board hearings on denial, suspension, or revocation of licenses upon a showing of an interest in the proceedings.

(e) Any person whose license has been suspended or revoked may apply to the board for vacation of the suspension or reinstatement of the license.

(Acts 1997, No. 97-170, p. 247, §14.)