Professional Conduct, Ethics, Unprofessional Conduct, and Disciplinary Procedures
Professional conduct questions ask what conduct triggers Board discipline, how the complaint process works, and how ethics principles apply in Oregon. The focus is the licensee's obligations to clients, the public, and the Board.
Unprofessional conduct
Oregon law and Board rules define unprofessional conduct to include practicing outside scope or competence, practicing while impaired, fraud or misrepresentation in billing or records, failing to maintain confidentiality, boundary violations, abusive conduct, aiding unlicensed practice, and failing to cooperate with a Board investigation. A criminal conviction or licensure action in another state may also be reported and considered.
Disciplinary process
A complaint is investigated by the Board. The licensee receives notice and an opportunity to respond. If contested facts remain, the Board proceeds under the Oregon Administrative Procedure Act, including a contested case hearing. Sanctions may include reprimand, probation with conditions, suspension, revocation, civil penalties, and costs. The Board may impose interim action when public safety requires it.
Worked example
An OT submits claims for 60-minute treatments but routinely documents 20 minutes and social conversation. This is misrepresentation and false billing. The employer's internal discipline does not bar a Board complaint; the Board may investigate the records and impose its own sanction. The OT's license is the Board's concern, not the employer's.
Traps
Do not assume a private settlement ends Board exposure. Do not confuse ethical ideals with enforceable rules; the Board acts on statutes and rules. Do not ignore a Board letter; failure to cooperate is itself a violation.