Iowa Admin. Code r. 645-33.2

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 11, December 11, 2024

Rule 645-33.2 - [Effective until 6/5/2024] Grounds for discipline

The board may impose any of the disciplinary sanctions provided in rule 645-33.3 (147,272C) when the board determines that the licensee is guilty of any of the following acts or offenses:

(1) Failure to comply with the national association's code of ethics.

a.Marital and family therapists. Failure to comply with the current American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) Code of Ethics, which is hereby adopted by reference. Copies of the Code of Ethics may be obtained from the AAMFT's website.

b.Mental health counselors. Failure to comply with the current Code of Ethics of the American Counseling Association (ACA), which is hereby adopted by reference. Copies of the Code of Ethics may be obtained from the ACA website.

c.Behavior analysts and assistant behavior analysts. Failure to comply with the current Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts, which is hereby adopted by reference. Copies of the Professional and Ethical Compliance Code may be obtained from the BACB website.

(2) Fraud in procuring a license. Fraud in procuring a license includes, but is not limited to, an intentional perversion of the truth in making application for a license to practice in this state, which includes the following:

a. False representations of a material fact, whether by word or by conduct, by false or misleading allegations, or by concealment of that which should have been disclosed when making application for a license in this state, or

b. Attempting to file or filing with the board or the department of public health any false or forged diploma or certificate or affidavit or identification or qualification in making an application for a license in this state.

(3) Professional incompetency. Professional incompetency includes, but is not limited to:

a. A substantial lack of knowledge or ability to discharge professional obligations within the scope of practice.

b. A substantial deviation from the standards of learning or skill ordinarily possessed and applied by other practitioners in the state of Iowa acting in the same or similar circumstances.

c. A failure to exercise the degree of care which is ordinarily exercised by the average practitioner acting in the same or similar circumstances.

d. Failure to conform to the minimal standard of acceptable and prevailing practice of the licensed marital and family therapist or mental health counselor in this state.

e. Mental or physical inability reasonably related to and adversely affecting the licensee's ability to practice in a safe and competent manner.

f. Being adjudged mentally incompetent by a court of competent jurisdiction.

(4) Knowingly making misleading, deceptive, untrue or fraudulent representations in the practice of the profession or engaging in unethical conduct or practice harmful or detrimental to the public. Proof of actual injury need not be established.

(5) Practice outside the scope of the profession.

(6) Use of untruthful or improbable statements in advertisements. Use of untruthful or improbable statements in advertisements includes, but is not limited to, an action by a licensee in making information or intention known to the public which is false, deceptive, misleading or promoted through fraud or misrepresentation.

(7) Habitual intoxication or addiction to the use of drugs.

a. The inability of a licensee to practice with reasonable skill and safety by reason of the excessive use of alcohol on a continuing basis.

b. The excessive use of drugs which may impair a licensee's ability to practice with reasonable skill or safety.

(8) Obtaining, possessing, attempting to obtain or possess, or administering controlled substances without lawful authority.

(9) Falsification of client records.

(10) Acceptance of any fee by fraud or misrepresentation.

(11) Negligence by the licensee in the practice of the profession. Negligence by the licensee in the practice of the profession includes a failure to exercise due care including negligent delegation of duties or supervision of employees or other individuals, whether or not injury results; or any conduct, practice or conditions which impair the ability to safely and skillfully practice the profession.

(12) Being convicted of an offense that directly relates to the duties and responsibilities of the profession. A conviction includes a guilty plea, including Alford and nolo contendere pleas, or a finding or verdict of guilt, even if the adjudication of guilt is deferred, withheld, or not entered. A copy of the guilty plea or order of conviction constitutes conclusive evidence of conviction. An offense directly relates to the duties and responsibilities of the profession if the actions taken in furtherance of the offense are actions customarily performed within the scope of practice of the profession or the circumstances under which the offense was committed are circumstances customary to the profession.

(13) Violation of a regulation or law of this state, another state, or the United States, which relates to the practice of the profession.

(14) Revocation, suspension, or other disciplinary action taken by a licensing authority or professional certifying entity of this state, another state, territory, or country; or failure by the licensee to report in writing to the board revocation, suspension, or other disciplinary action taken by a licensing authority or certifying entity within 30 days of the final action. A stay by an appellate court shall not negate this requirement; however, if such disciplinary action is overturned or reversed by a court of last resort, the report shall be expunged from the records of the board.

(15) Failure of a licensee or an applicant for licensure in this state to report any voluntary agreements restricting the practice of the profession in another state, district, territory or country.

(16) Failure to notify the board of a criminal conviction within 30 days of the action, regardless of the jurisdiction where it occurred.

(17) Failure to notify the board within 30 days after the occurrence of any judgment or settlement of a malpractice claim or action.

(18) Engaging in any conduct that subverts or attempts to subvert a board investigation.

(19) Failure to comply with a subpoena issued by the board, or to otherwise fail to cooperate with an investigation of the board.

(20) Failure to comply with the terms of a board order or the terms of a settlement agreement or consent order.

(21) Failure to pay costs assessed in any disciplinary action.

(22) Submission of a false report of continuing education or failure to submit the biennial report of continuing education.

(23) Failure to report another licensee to the board for any violations listed in these rules, pursuant to Iowa Code section 272C.9.

(24) Knowingly aiding, assisting, procuring, or advising a person to unlawfully practice as a marital and family therapist, mental health counselor, behavior analyst, or assistant behavior analyst.

(25) Failure to report a change of name or address within 30 days after it occurs.

(26) Representing oneself as a licensed marital and family therapist, mental health counselor, behavior analyst, or assistant behavior analyst when one's license has been suspended or revoked, or when one's license is on inactive status.

(27) Permitting another person to use the licensee's license for any purpose.

(28) Permitting an unlicensed employee or person under the licensee's control to perform activities requiring a license.

(29) Unethical conduct. In accordance with Iowa Code section 147.55(3), behavior (i.e., acts, knowledge, and practices) which constitutes unethical conduct may include, but need not be limited to, the following:

a. Verbally or physically abusing a patient, client or coworker.

b. Improper sexual contact with, or making suggestive, lewd, lascivious or improper remarks or advances to a patient, client or coworker.

c. Betrayal of a professional confidence.

d. Engaging in a professional conflict of interest.

(30) Sexual relationships.

a. Current clients. A licensee shall not engage in sexual activities or sexual contact with a client, regardless of whether such contact is consensual or nonconsensual.

b. Former clients. A licensee shall not engage in sexual activities or sexual contact with a former client within the five years following termination of the client relationship. A licensee shall not engage in sexual activities or sexual contact with a former client, regardless of the length of time elapsed since termination of the client relationship, if the client has a history of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse or if the client has ever been diagnosed with any form of psychosis or personality disorder or if the client is likely to remain in need of therapy due to the intensity or chronicity of a problem.

c. A licensee shall not engage in sexual activities or sexual contact with a client's or former client's spouse or significant other.

d. A licensee shall not engage in sexual activities or sexual contact with a client's or former client's relative within the second degree of consanguinity (client's parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, or sibling) when there is a risk of exploitation or potential harm to a client or former client.

e. A licensee shall not provide clinical services to an individual with whom the licensee has had prior sexual contact.

(31) Physical contact. A licensee shall not engage in physical contact with a client when there is a possibility of psychological harm to the client as a result of the contact. A licensee who engages in appropriate physical contact with a client is responsible for setting clear, appropriate, and culturally and age-sensitive boundaries which govern such contact.

(32) Failure to comply with universal precautions for preventing transmission of infectious diseases as issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

(33) Violation of the terms of an initial agreement with the impaired practitioner review committee or violation of the terms of an impaired practitioner recovery contract with the impaired practitioner review committee.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 645-33.2

ARC 9547B, IAB 6/1/11, effective 7/6/11; ARC 0777C, IAB 6/12/2013, effective 7/17/2013

Amended by IAB April 10, 2019/Volume XLI, Number 21, effective 3/22/2019

Amended by IAB July 17, 2019/Volume XLII, Number 2, effective 8/21/2019

Amended by IAB July 14, 2021/Volume XLIV, Number 1, effective 8/18/2021