A. The Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology may impose separately, or in combination, any of the following disciplinary actions on a licensee after formal disciplinary action as provided in the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Licensing Act: suspend or revoke a license, issue a letter of reprimand, impose probationary conditions, impose an administrative fine not to exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), and assess reasonable costs. Disciplinary actions may be taken by the Board upon proof that the licensee:

1. Has been guilty of fraud or deceit in connection with the licensee's speech-language pathology or audiology services;

2. Has aided or abetted a person who is not a licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist and who is under the supervision of a licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist and subject to the rules of the Board, in illegally engaging in the practice of speech-language pathology or audiology within this state;

3. Has been guilty of unprofessional conduct as defined by the rules established by the Board or has violated the code of ethics made and published by the Board;

4. Has used fraud or deception in applying for a license or in passing an examination provided for in the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Licensing Act;

5. Has been grossly negligent in the practice of the person's profession;

6. Has willfully violated any of the provisions of the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Licensing Act or any rules promulgated pursuant thereto;

7. Has violated federal, state or local laws relating to the profession. A copy of the record of conviction, certified by the clerk of the court entering the conviction, shall be conclusive evidence of conviction; or

8. Has been convicted of or has pled guilty or nolo contendere to a felony crime that substantially relates to the business practices of speech-language pathology or audiology and poses a reasonable threat to public safety.

B. 1. No disciplinary action shall be imposed until after a hearing before the Board. A notice of at least thirty (30) days shall be served, either personally or by certified mail, to the licensee charged, stating the time and place of the hearing, and setting forth the ground or grounds constituting the charges against the licensee. The licensee shall be entitled to be heard in such person's defense either in person or by counsel, and may produce testimony and may testify in the person's own behalf.

2. A record of such hearing shall be taken and preserved.

3. The hearing may be adjourned from time to time. If, after due receipt of notice of a hearing, the licensee shall be unable to appear for good cause shown, then a continuance shall be granted by the Board. The time allowed shall be at the discretion of the Board, but in no instance shall it be less than two (2) weeks from the originally scheduled date of the hearing.

4. If a licensee pleads guilty, or if upon hearing the charges, a majority of the Board finds them to be true, the Board shall impose its disciplinary action against the licensee. The Board shall record its findings and order in writing.

C. 1. The Board, through its chairman or vice-chairman, may administer oaths and may compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of physical evidence before it from witnesses upon whom process is served anywhere within the state, as in civil cases in the district court, by subpoena issued over the signature of the chairman or vice-chairman and the seal of the Board.

2. Upon request by an accused speech-language pathologist or audiologist, and statement under oath that the testimony or evidence is reasonably necessary to the person's defense, the Board shall use this subpoena power in behalf of the accused speech-language pathologist or audiologist.

3. The subpoenas shall be served, and a return of service thereof made, in the same manner as a subpoena is served out of the district courts in this state, and as a return in such case is made.

4. If a person fails and refuses to attend in obedience to such subpoena, or refuses to be sworn or examined or answer any legally proper question propounded by any member of said Board or any attorney or licensee upon permission from said Board, such person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction, may be punished by a fine not to exceed Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) or by confinement in the county jail not to exceed ninety (90) days, or both.

D. 1. Any person who feels aggrieved by reason of the imposition of disciplinary action may appeal to the Board for a review of the case or may seek judicial review pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act.

2. The suit shall be filed against the Board as defendant, and service of process shall be upon either the chairman or executive secretary of the Board.

3. The judgment of the district court may be appealed to the Supreme Court of Oklahoma in the same manner as other civil cases.

E. Upon a vote of three of its members, the Board may restore a license which has been revoked or reduce the period of suspension.

F. As used in this section:

1. "Substantially relates" means the nature of criminal conduct for which the person was convicted has a direct bearing on the fitness or ability to perform one or more of the duties or responsibilities necessarily related to the occupation; and

2. "Poses a reasonable threat" means the nature of criminal conduct for which the person was convicted involved an act or threat of harm against another and has a bearing on the fitness or ability to serve the public or work with others in the occupation.

Added by Laws 1973, c. 203, § 19, emerg. eff. May 17, 1973. Amended by Laws 1998, c. 202, § 20, eff. July 1, 1998; Laws 2015, c. 183, § 10, eff. Nov. 1, 2015; Laws 2018, c. 230, § 7, emerg. eff. May 7, 2018; Laws 2019, c. 363, § 55, eff. Nov. 1, 2019.