Unprofessional conduct, discipline, and mandatory reporting
What the domain tests
This domain tests conduct that can trigger Board investigation and discipline, and the reporting duties of licensees. Unprofessional conduct is broader than malpractice: it includes dishonesty, boundary violations, impairment, and failure to comply with the Act. The Board may reprimand, fine, restrict, suspend, or revoke a license, and may impose probation or continuing education.
Core rules
- Common grounds include fraud or misrepresentation, incompetence or gross negligence, practicing outside scope, practicing while impaired, abandoning patients, breaching confidentiality, failing continuing education or renewal requirements, and aiding unlicensed practice.
- Criminal convictions, especially those involving dishonesty or patient safety, may be independently disciplinable.
- Licensees must report specified conduct as required by statute and board rules, including suspected impairment or unlicensed practice. Good-faith reports to the Board are protected; patient privacy laws do not forbid them.
- Cooperate with Board investigations; destroying records or retaliating against a complainant worsens exposure.
Worked example
A dentist suspects a colleague is treating patients while impaired. He does not investigate alone or post about it. He makes a timely report to the Board, documents only what he observed, and keeps patient information minimal. That is a protected report, not a HIPAA violation.
Traps
Assuming a malpractice settlement automatically ends the Board matter; waiting for “proof” before reporting suspected impairment; discussing a Board complaint with patients.