LAC 46:XLV.4933. Suspension and Revocation of License; Refusal to Issue or Renew; Unprofessional Conduct [Formerly §4921 and §4931]

A. The board may refuse to issue or renew, may suspend or revoke, or may impose probationary conditions on any OTP license, if the licensee or applicant for license has been guilty of unprofessional conduct which has endangered or is likely to endanger the health, welfare, or safety of the public. B. As used herein and R.S. 37:3011, unprofessional conduct by an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant shall mean: 1. conviction of a crime or entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a criminal charge constituting a felony under the laws of Louisiana, of the United States, or of the state in which such conviction or plea was entered; 2. conviction of a crime or entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any criminal charge arising out of or in connection with the practice of occupational therapy; 3. perjury, fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, or concealment of material facts in obtaining a license to practice occupational therapy; 4. providing false testimony before the board or providing false sworn information to the board; 5. habitual or recurring abuse of drugs, including alcohol, which affect the central nervous system and which are capable of inducing physiological or psychological dependence; 6. solicitation of client’s or self-promotion through advertising or communication, public or private, which is fraudulent, false, deceptive, or misleading; 7. making or submitting false, deceptive, or unfounded claims, reports, or opinions to any client’s insurance company, or indemnity association, company, individual, or governmental authority for the purpose of obtaining anything of economic value; 8. cognitive or clinical incompetency; 9. continuing or recurring practice which fails to satisfy the prevailing and usually accepted standards of occupational therapy practice in this state; 10. knowingly performing any act which in any way assists an unlicensed person to practice occupational therapy, or having professional connection with or lending one's name to an illegal practitioner; 11. paying or giving anything of economic value to another person, firm, or corporation to induce the referral of client’s to the occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant; 12. interdiction by due process of law; 13. inability to practice occupational therapy with reasonable competence, skill, or safety to client’s because of mental or physical illness, condition or deficiency, including but not limited to deterioration through the aging process and excessive use or abuse of drugs, including alcohol; 14. refusal to submit to examination an inquiry by an examining committee of physicians appointed by the board to inquire into the licensee's physical and/or mental fitness and ability to practice occupational therapy with reasonable skill or safety to clients; 15. practicing or otherwise engaging in any conduct or functions beyond the scope of occupational therapy as defined by the Act or these rules; 16. the refusal of the licensing authority of another state to issue or renew a license, permit, or Compact Privilege to practice occupational therapy in that state, or the revocation, suspension, or other restriction imposed on a license, permit, or Compact Privilege issued by such licensing authority which prevents, restricts, or conditions practice in that state, or the surrender of a license, permit, or Compact Privilege issued by another state when criminal or administrative charges are pending or threatened against the holder of such license, permit, or Compact Privilege; or 17. violation of any rules and regulations of the board, or any provisions of the Act, as amended, R.S. 37:3001-3014. C. Denial, refusal to renew, suspension, revocation, or imposition of probationary conditions upon a licensee may be ordered by the board in a decision made after a hearing in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the board. One year after the date of the revocation of a license, application may be made to the board for reinstatement. The board shall have discretion to accept or reject an application for reinstatement but shall hold a hearing to consider such reinstatement.