2007 Minnesota Statutes

148B.59 GROUNDS FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTION; FORMS OF DISCIPLINARY
ACTION; RESTORATION OF LICENSE.
(a) The board may impose disciplinary action as described in paragraph (b) against an
applicant or licensee whom the board, by a preponderance of the evidence, determines:
(1) has violated a statute, rule, or order that the board issued or is empowered to enforce;
(2) has engaged in fraudulent, deceptive, or dishonest conduct, whether or not the conduct
relates to the practice of licensed professional counseling, that adversely affects the person's
ability or fitness to practice professional counseling;
(3) has engaged in unprofessional conduct or any other conduct which has the potential for
causing harm to the public, including any departure from or failure to conform to the minimum
standards of acceptable and prevailing practice without actual injury having to be established;
(4) has been convicted of or has pled guilty or nolo contendere to a felony or other crime, an
element of which is dishonesty or fraud, or has been shown to have engaged in acts or practices
tending to show that the applicant or licensee is incompetent or has engaged in conduct reflecting
adversely on the applicant's or licensee's ability or fitness to engage in the practice of professional
counseling;
(5) has employed fraud or deception in obtaining or renewing a license, or in passing an
examination;
(6) has had any counseling license, certificate, registration, privilege to take an examination,
or other similar authority denied, revoked, suspended, canceled, limited, or not renewed for cause
in any jurisdiction or has surrendered or voluntarily terminated a license or certificate during a
board investigation of a complaint, as part of a disciplinary order, or while under a disciplinary
order;
(7) has failed to meet any requirement for the issuance or renewal of the person's license.
The burden of proof is on the applicant or licensee to demonstrate the qualifications or satisfy the
requirements for a license under the Licensed Professional Counseling Act;
(8) has failed to cooperate with an investigation of the board;
(9) has demonstrated an inability to practice professional counseling with reasonable skill
and safety to clients due to any mental or physical illness or condition;
(10) has engaged in fee splitting. This clause does not apply to the distribution of revenues
from a partnership, group practice, nonprofit corporation, or professional corporation to its
partners, shareholders, members, or employees if the revenues consist only of fees for services
performed by the licensee or under a licensee's administrative authority. Fee splitting includes,
but is not limited to:
(i) dividing fees with another person or a professional corporation, unless the division is in
proportion to the services provided and the responsibility assumed by each professional;
(ii) referring a client to any health care provider as defined in sections 144.291 to 144.298 in
which the referring licensee has a significant financial interest, unless the licensee has disclosed in
advance to the client the licensee's own financial interest; and
(iii) paying, offering to pay, receiving, or agreeing to receive a commission, rebate, or
remuneration, directly or indirectly, primarily for the referral of clients;
(11) has engaged in conduct with a client that is sexual or may reasonably be interpreted by
the client as sexual, or in any verbal behavior that is seductive or sexually demeaning to a client;
(12) has been subject to a corrective action or similar action in another jurisdiction or by
another regulatory authority; or
(13) has been adjudicated as mentally incompetent, mentally ill, or developmentally disabled
or as a chemically dependent person, a person dangerous to the public, a sexually dangerous
person, or a person who has a sexual psychopathic personality by a court of competent jurisdiction
within this state or an equivalent adjudication from another state. Adjudication automatically
suspends a license for the duration thereof unless the board orders otherwise.
(b) If grounds for disciplinary action exist under paragraph (a), the board may take one
or more of the following actions:
(1) refuse to grant or renew a license;
(2) revoke a license;
(3) suspend a license;
(4) impose limitations or conditions on a licensee's practice of professional counseling,
including, but not limited to, limiting the scope of practice to designated competencies, imposing
retraining or rehabilitation requirements, requiring the licensee to practice under supervision,
or conditioning continued practice on the demonstration of knowledge or skill by appropriate
examination or other review of skill and competence;
(5) censure or reprimand the licensee;
(6) refuse to permit an applicant to take the licensure examination or refuse to release an
applicant's examination grade if the board finds that it is in the public interest; or
(7) impose a civil penalty not exceeding $10,000 for each separate violation, the amount of
the civil penalty to be fixed so as to deprive the applicant or licensee of any economic advantage
gained by reason of the violation charged, to discourage similar violations or to reimburse the
board for the cost of the investigation and proceeding, including, but not limited to, fees paid
for services provided by the Office of Administrative Hearings, legal and investigative services
provided by the Office of the Attorney General, court reporters, witnesses, reproduction of
records, board members' per diem compensation, board staff time, and travel costs and expenses
incurred by board staff and board members.
(c) In lieu of or in addition to paragraph (b), the board may require, as a condition of
continued licensure, termination of suspension, reinstatement of license, examination, or release
of examination grades, that the applicant or licensee:
(1) submit to a quality review, as specified by the board, of the applicant's or licensee's
ability, skills, or quality of work; and
(2) complete to the satisfaction of the board educational courses specified by the board.
The board may also refer a licensee, if appropriate, to the health professionals services program
described in sections 214.31 to 214.37.
(d) Service of the order is effective if the order is served on the applicant, licensee, or counsel
of record personally or by mail to the most recent address provided to the board for the licensee,
applicant, or counsel of record. The order shall state the reasons for the entry of the order.
History: 2003 c 118 s 12; 2004 c 279 art 5 s 6; 2005 c 56 s 1; 2005 c 147 art 5 s 7; 2007 c
147 art 10 s 15