§ 90-202.8.  Revocation of certificate; grounds for; suspension of certificate.

(a) The North Carolina State Board of Podiatry Examiners, in accordance with Chapter 150B (Administrative Procedure Act) of the General Statutes, shall have the power and authority to:  (i)  refuse to issue a license to practice podiatry;  (ii)  refuse to issue a certificate of renewal of a license to practice podiatry;  (iii)  revoke or suspend a license to practice podiatry; and (iv)  invoke such other disciplinary measures, censure, or probative terms against a licensee as it deems fit and proper;

in any instance or instances in which the Board is satisfied that such applicant or licensee:

(1) Has engaged in any act or acts of fraud, deceit or misrepresentation in obtaining or attempting to obtain a license or the renewal thereof;

(2) Is a chronic or persistent user of alcohol intoxicants or habit-forming drugs or narcotics to the extent that the same impairs his ability to practice podiatry;

(3) Has been convicted of any of the criminal provisions of this Article or has entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any charge or charges arising therefrom;

(4) Has been convicted of or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any felony charge or to any misdemeanor charge involving moral turpitude;

(5) Has been convicted of or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any charge of violation of any state or federal narcotic or barbiturate law;

(6) Has engaged in any act or practice violative of any of the provisions of this Article or violative of any of the rules and regulations promulgated and adopted by the Board, or has aided, abetted or assisted any other person or entity in the violation of the same;

(7) Is mentally, emotionally, or physically unfit to practice podiatry or is afflicted with such a physical or mental disability as to be deemed dangerous to the health and welfare of his patients. An adjudication of mental incompetency in a court of competent jurisdiction or a determination thereof by other lawful means shall be conclusive proof of unfitness to practice podiatry unless or until such person shall have been subsequently lawfully declared to be mentally competent;

(8) Has advertised services in a false, deceptive, or misleading manner;

(9) Has permitted the use of his name, diploma or license by another person either in the illegal practice of podiatry or in attempting to fraudulently obtain a license to practice podiatry;

(10) Has engaged in such immoral conduct as to discredit the podiatry profession;

(11) Has obtained or collected or attempted to obtain or collect any fee through fraud, misrepresentation, or deceit;

(12) Has been negligent in the practice of podiatry;

(13) Is not professionally competent in the practice of podiatry;

(14) Has practiced any fraud, deceit or misrepresentation upon the public or upon any individual in an effort to acquire or retain any patient or patients;

(15) Has made fraudulent or misleading statements pertaining to his skill, knowledge, or method of treatment or practice;

(16) Has committed any fraudulent or misleading acts in the practice of podiatry;

(17), (18) Repealed by Session Laws 1981, c. 659, s. 7.

(19) Has wrongfully or fraudulently or falsely held himself out to be or represented himself to be qualified as a specialist in any branch of podiatry;

(20) Has persistently maintained, in the practice of podiatry, unsanitary offices, practices, or techniques;

(21) Is a menace to the public health by reason of having a serious communicable disease;

(22) Has distributed or caused to be distributed any intoxicant, drug, or narcotic for any other than a lawful purpose; or

(23) Has engaged in any unprofessional conduct as the same may be, from time to time, defined by the rules and regulations of the Board.

(a1) The Board shall establish a grievance committee to receive complaints concerning a practitioner's business or professional practices. The committee shall consider all complaints and determine whether there is probable cause. After its review, the committee may dismiss any complaint when it appears that probable cause of a violation cannot be established. Complaints which are not dismissed shall be referred to the Board.

(b) If any person engages in or attempts to engage in the practice of podiatry while his license is suspended, his license to practice podiatry in the State of North Carolina may be permanently revoked.

(c) Action of the Board shall be subject to judicial review as provided by Chapter 150B (Administrative Procedure Act). (1919, c. 78, ss. 12, 13; C.S., s. 6772; 1953, c. 1041, ss. 17, 18; 1963, c. 1195, s. 2; 1967, c. 691, s. 45; 1973, c. 1331, s. 3; 1975, c. 672, ss. 1, 2; 1981, c. 659, ss. 6-8; 1987, c. 827, s. 1; 1991, c. 636, s. 6; 1997-456, s. 27.)