Alabama Administrative Code › Title 850 - ALABAMA STATE BOARD OF SOCIAL WORK EXAMINERS › Chapter 850-X-10 - CONTINUING EDUCATION › Section 850-X-10-.01 - Grounds

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 9, June 28, 2024
The Board, after a hearing, may refuse to renew, may suspend or
				may revoke any license or certificate issued by the Board, and may levy and
				collect administrative fines upon proof that a person licensed by the Board has
				engaged in unprofessional conduct within the last five years, including, but
				not limited to:
(1) Additional
			 Grounds: In addition to the specific grounds provided by statute, the Board of
			 Social Work Examiners is authorized by law to promulgate rules and regulations
			 and set forth professional standards. Specific offenses for which discipline
			 may be imposed include, but are not necessarily limited to:
(a) Committing, or aiding and abetting any
			 cheating or an attempt to subvert the social work licensing
			 examinations.
(b) Committing, or
			 aiding and abetting any fraud or misrepresentation in applying for or procuring
			 a social work license or renewal license.
(c) Being convicted of a felony or any
			 misdemeanor involving questions of moral turpitude, whether or not resulting
			 from such practice, or the entry of a guilty plea or plea of no contest to any
			 such misdemeanor or felony.
(d)
			 Engaging in dishonorable, unethical or unprofessional conduct of a character
			 likely to deceive, defraud or harm the public.
(e) Making a false or misleading statement or
			 statements regarding a social worker's skills or the efficacy or value of any
			 treatment provided or to be provided, or using any false, fraudulent or
			 deceptive statement connected with the practice of social work, including, but
			 not limited to, false or misleading advertising.
(f) Violating the confidentiality between
			 social worker and client except as required or permitted by law.
(g) Failing to properly manage, maintain and
			 preserve client records.
(h)
			 Failing to transfer pertinent and necessary records when requested to do so by
			 the client or by the client's legally designated representative.
(I) Giving or receiving, directly or
			 indirectly, any fee, commission, rebate, or other compensation for professional
			 services not actually and personally rendered.
(j) Being found by a court of competent
			 jurisdiction to be mentally incompetent which results in the inability to
			 practice the profession with reasonable judgment, skill or safety.
(k) Engaging in behavior that demonstrates
			 incapacity or incompetence to practice social work.
(l) Being found guilty or liable in any
			 criminal or civil proceeding resulting in an adverse judgment, order, decree or
			 award, against a licensee, whether or not such claims are settled later between
			 the parties, related to acts or conduct which would constitute grounds for
			 disciplinary action, or which reflect adversely on the licensee's competence or
			 qualifications to practice social work.
(m) Engaging in any dual or multiple
			 relationships with clients or former clients in which there is a risk of
			 exploitation of or potential harm to the client; or violating appropriate
			 client-social worker boundaries.
(n) Committing any act of sexual abuse,
			 misconduct, or exploitation related to the social worker's practice.
(o) Being addicted or habituated to any
			 chemical substance that impairs the ability to practice competently.
(p) Aiding and abetting the practice of
			 social work by an unlicensed, incompetent or impaired individual.
(q) Allowing any person or organization to
			 use a licensee's license to practice social work.
(r) Being disciplined in another jurisdiction
			 based on grounds that are the same or substantially the same as those which
			 exist under these Rules.
(s)
			 Failing to report to the Board any adverse action taken against the social
			 worker by another licensing jurisdiction.
(t) Failing to report to the Board the
			 surrender of a license or authorization to practice social work in another
			 jurisdiction.
(u) Failing to
			 provide information requested by the Board or to cooperate with a lawful
			 investigation conducted by the Board.
(v) Failing to comply with any stipulation or
			 agreement with the Board involving probation or a settlement of any
			 disciplinary matters.
(w) Aiding or
			 abetting any persons in the filing of false reports with the Board or other
			 applicable governmental agency.
(x)
			 Failing to comply with mandatory reporting laws.
(y) Being found guilty of violating any of
			 the Standards of Professional Conduct & Ethics established by the Board as
			 provided in these rules.