Rhode Island § 5-40-14 - Physical Therapists

§ 5-40-14. Procedure for discipline of physical therapist.

(a) When a written allegation is filed with the board charging a person with having been guilty of any of the actions specified in § 5-40-13, the division of professional regulation shall immediately investigate those charges, or, the board, after investigation, may institute charges.

(1) In the event that investigation reveals reasonable grounds for believing that the person is guilty of the charges, upon the recommendation of the board or the administrator, the director shall fix a time and place for a hearing, and shall serve a copy of the charges together with a notice of the time and the place fixed for the hearing personally upon the accused at least twenty (20) days prior to the time fixed for the hearing.

(2) When personal service cannot be effected and that fact is certified by oath by any person authorized to make service, the board shall publish once, in each of two (2) successive weeks, a notice of the hearing in a newspaper published in the county where the accused last resided according to the records of the board and shall mail a copy of the charges and of that notice to the accused at his or her last known address. When publication of notice is necessary, the date of the hearing shall not be less than twenty (20) days after the last date of publication of the notice.

(3) At the hearing, the accused has the right to appear personally or by counsel or both; to produce witnesses and evidence on his or her behalf; to cross-examine witnesses; and to have subpoenas issued by the administrator of professional regulation. The attendance of witnesses and the production of books, documents, and papers at the hearing may be compelled by subpoenas issued by the administrator, which shall be served in accordance with law.

(4) At the hearing, the administrator shall administer oaths as may be necessary for the proper conduct of the hearing.

(5) The board is not bound by the strict rules of procedure or by the laws of evidence in the conduct of its proceedings, but the determination shall be based upon sufficient legal evidence to sustain it.

(6) If the accused is found guilty of the charges, the board may refuse to issue a registration to the applicant or may revoke or suspend their license or otherwise discipline that person.

(b) Upon the revocation or suspension of any license, the license holder shall surrender the license to the administrator of professional regulation who shall strike the name of the holder from the register.

(c) A revoked or suspended license may be reviewed at the discretion of the board.