Rhode Island General Laws Title 5. Businesses and Professions § 5-63.2-22. Procedure for discipline

When a sworn complaint is filed with the board charging a person with having been guilty of any of the actions specified in § 5-63.2-21, the division of professional regulation shall immediately investigate the charges or, the board, after investigation, may institute charges. In the event the investigation reveals reasonable grounds for believing that the applicant or person licensed under this chapter is guilty of the charges, the board shall fix a time and place for a hearing, and shall cause a copy of the charges, together with a notice of the time and the place fixed for a hearing, to be personally served upon the accused at least twenty (20) days prior to the time fixed for the hearing. When personal service cannot be effected and the fact is certified by oath by any person authorized to make service, the board shall cause to be published 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 the 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. 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. At the hearing, the administrator shall administer oaths that are necessary for the proper conduct of the hearing. The board shall not be 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. 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 his or her license or discipline the person. Upon the revocation or suspension of any license, the holder shall surrender the license to the administrator of professional regulation who shall strike the name of the holder from the register of licensed clinical mental health counselors and/or licensed marriage and family therapists. A revocation or suspension of a license may be reviewed at the discretion of the board or at the initiative of the administrator of professional regulation who may order a rehearing of the issue if he or she finds cause.