South Carolina § 40-47-765 - Grounds for revocation, suspension, or denial of license.

§ 40-47-765. Grounds for revocation, suspension, or denial of license.

Misconduct constituting grounds for revocation, suspension, probation, reprimand, restrictions, or denial of a license must be found when an acupuncturist, auricular therapist, or auricular detoxification specialist:

(1) has knowingly allowed himself or herself to be misrepresented as a medical doctor;

(2) has filed or has had filed on his or her behalf with the board any false, fraudulent, or forged statement or documents;

(3) has performed any work assignment, task, or other activity which is outside the scope of practice of licensure;

(4) misuses alcohol or drugs to such a degree to render him or her unfit to practice;

(5) has been convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude or drugs;

(6) has sustained any physical or mental disability which renders further practice dangerous to the public;

(7) has engaged in any dishonorable or unethical conduct that is likely to deceive or harm patients;

(8) has used or made any false or fraudulent statement in any document connected with practice or licensure;

(9) has obtained or assisted another person in obtaining fees under dishonorable, false, or fraudulent circumstances;

(10) has violated or conspired with another person to violate any provision of this article;

(11) otherwise demonstrates a lack of the ethical or professional competence required to practice;

(12) has failed to refer to a licensed medical doctor or dentist, as appropriate, a patient whose medical condition should have been determined to be beyond their scope of practice; or

(13) continues to provide acupuncture, auricular detoxification therapy, or auricular therapy services to any patient who the licensee treats at least one time per month for three consecutive months, and has not demonstrated clinical improvement, unless the licensee provides the patient with written notice, on or before the expiration of the third month, that the patient may need to seek a medical diagnosis from a licensed medical doctor or dentist before continuing with acupuncture, auricular detoxification therapy, or auricular therapy services, unless the patient was referred to the licensee by a licensed medical doctor or dentist.

Upon a finding of misconduct, the board may impose any sanction that the board is otherwise authorized to impose for misconduct under this chapter.

HISTORY: 2005 Act No. 10, SECTION 1.