Sec 32-2933. Definition of unprofessional conduct

A. In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, "unprofessional conduct" includes the following acts, whether occurring in this state or elsewhere:

1. Performing an invasive surgical procedure not specifically permitted by this chapter or by board rules or pursuant to a license issued under chapter 13 or 17 of this title.

2. Wilful betrayal of a professional secret or wilful violation of a privileged communication except as either of these may otherwise be required by law. This paragraph does not prevent members of the board from the full and free exchange of information with the licensing and disciplinary boards of other states, territories or districts of the United States or with foreign countries or with the Arizona homeopathic and integrative medical association or any of its component organizations or with the homeopathic medical organizations of other states, counties, districts or territories or with those of foreign countries.

3. Commission of a felony, whether or not involving moral turpitude, or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude. In either case, conviction by any court of competent jurisdiction or a plea of no contest is deemed conclusive evidence of guilt.

4. Habitual intemperance in the use of alcohol or habitual substance abuse.

5. Violating federal, state, county or municipal laws or regulations applicable to the practice of medicine or relating to public health.

6. Prescribing a controlled substance for other than accepted therapeutic purposes.

7. Conduct that the board determines is gross professional negligence, repeated professional negligence or any negligence that causes the death of a patient.

8. Impersonating another person licensed pursuant to this chapter.

9. Acting or assuming to act as a member of the board if this is not true.

10. Procuring or attempting to procure a license to practice homeopathic medicine by fraud, by misrepresentation or by knowingly taking advantage of the mistake of another.

11. Having professional connection with or lending one's name to an illegal practitioner of homeopathic medicine or of any of the other healing arts.

12. Representing that a manifestly incurable disease, injury, ailment or infirmity can be permanently cured or that a curable disease, injury, ailment or infirmity can be cured within a stated time if this is not true.

13. Offering, undertaking or agreeing to cure or treat a disease, injury, ailment or infirmity by a secret means, method, device or instrumentality.

14. Refusing to divulge to the board on demand the means, method, device or instrumentality used in the treatment of a disease, injury, ailment or infirmity.

15. Giving or receiving or aiding or abetting the giving or receiving of rebates, either directly or indirectly.

16. Knowingly making any false or fraudulent statement, written or oral, in connection with the practice of homeopathic medicine except as the same may be necessary for accepted therapeutic purposes.

17. Immorality or misconduct that tends to discredit the profession.

18. Being disciplined by another regulatory jurisdiction because of the licensee's mental or physical inability to engage safely in the practice of medicine, medical incompetence or unprofessional conduct as defined by that jurisdiction and that corresponds directly or indirectly with an act of unprofessional conduct prescribed by this section. The disciplinary action may include refusing, denying, revoking or suspending a license, issuing a formal reprimand, issuing a decree of censure or otherwise limiting, restricting or monitoring the licensee or placing the licensee on probation.

19. Any conduct or practice contrary to recognized standards of ethics of the homeopathic medical profession, any conduct or practice that does or might constitute a danger to the health, welfare or safety of the patient or the public or any conduct, practice or condition that does or might impair the ability to practice homeopathic medicine safely and skillfully.

20. Failing or refusing to maintain adequate records on a patient or to make patient records promptly available to another licensee on request and receipt of proper authorization.

21. Advertising in a false, deceptive or misleading manner.

22. Violating or attempting to violate, directly or indirectly, or assisting in or abetting the violation of or conspiring to violate this chapter or any board rule.

23. Using a controlled substance unless it is prescribed by a physician for use during a prescribed course of treatment.

24. Prescribing, dispensing or administering anabolic androgenic steroids for other than therapeutic purposes.

25. Prescribing or dispensing controlled substances to members of the licensee's immediate family.

26. Prescribing, dispensing or administering schedule II controlled substances as defined in section 36-2513, including amphetamines and similar schedule II sympathomimetic drugs in the treatment of exogenous obesity for a period in excess of thirty days in any one year, or the nontherapeutic use of injectable amphetamines.

27. The use of experimental forms of diagnosis and treatment without adequate informed patient consent, without a board approved written disclosure that the form of diagnosis and treatment to be used is experimental and without conforming to generally accepted experimental criteria, including protocols, detailed records, periodic analysis of results and periodic review by a peer review committee.

28. Sexual intimacies with a patient.

29. Use of the designation "M.D." or "D.O." in a way that would lead the public to believe that a person is licensed by the Arizona medical board or the board of osteopathic examiners in medicine and surgery in this state if this is not the case.

30. Falsely or fraudulently representing or holding oneself out as being a homeopathic medical specialist.

31. Failing to dispense drugs and devices in compliance with article 4 of this chapter.

32. Violating a formal board order, terms of probation or a stipulation issued or entered into by the board or its designee under this chapter.

33. Charging a fee for services not rendered or charging and collecting a clearly unreasonable fee. In determining the reasonableness of the fee, the board shall consider the fee customarily charged in this state for similar services in relation to modifying factors such as the time required, the complexity of the service and the skill required to perform the service properly. This paragraph does not apply if there is a clearly written contract for a fixed fee between the licensee and the patient that is entered into before the licensee provides the service.

34. Failing to appropriately direct, collaborate with or supervise a licensed, certified or registered health care provider, a homeopathic medical assistant or office personnel employed or assigned to the licensee to assist in the medical care of patients.

35. Knowingly making a false or misleading statement on a form required by the board or in written correspondence with the board.

36. Failing to furnish legally requested information in a timely manner to the board or its investigators or representatives.

37. Failing to allow properly authorized board personnel to examine or have access to a licensee's documents, reports or records that relate to the licensee's medical practice or medically related activities.

38. Signing a blank, undated or predated prescription form.

39. Refusing to submit to a body fluid examination required under section 32-2941 or pursuant to a board investigation into the licensee's substance abuse.

40. Prescribing, dispensing or furnishing a prescription medication or a prescription-only device as defined in section 32-1901 to a person unless the licensee first conducts a comprehensive physical or mental health status examination of that person or has previously established a doctor-patient relationship. This paragraph does not apply to:

(a) A licensee who provides temporary patient supervision on behalf of the patient's regular treating licensed health care professional.

(b) Emergency medical situations as defined in section 41-1831.

(c) Prescriptions written to prepare a patient for a medical examination.

(d) Prescriptions written or prescription medications issued for use by a county or tribal public health department for immunization programs or emergency treatment or in response to an infectious disease investigation, a public health emergency, an infectious disease outbreak or an act of bioterrorism. For the purposes of this subdivision, "bioterrorism" has the same meaning prescribed in section 36-781.

41. Failing to obtain from a patient before an examination or treatment a signed informed consent that includes language that makes it clear the licensee is providing homeopathic medical treatment instead of or in addition to standard conventional allopathic or osteopathic treatment.

B. If a person is licensed pursuant to section 32-2912, subsection B, unprofessional conduct also includes the following:

1. Performing an invasive procedure, including performing intravenous therapy, drawing bodily fluids or ordering genetic testing.

2. Prescribing, dispensing or administering any controlled substance.

3. Prescribing, dispensing or administering a prescription drug.

4. Using the title "physician", "medical doctor-homeopathic", "doctor of osteopathy-homeopathic", "doctor of medicine (homeopathic)" or "homeopathic physician" or otherwise implying that the licensee is a licensed allopathic or osteopathic physician.

5. Failing to correct a known misunderstanding regarding the licensee's licensure status.

6. Failing to obtain from a patient before an examination or treatment a signed informed consent that includes language that makes it clear the licensee is not an allopathic or osteopathic physician and is providing homeopathic treatment under the limited scope of practice of homeopathic medicine pursuant to this chapter.

7. Failing to consult with or refer patients to other health care providers when appropriate.

8. Discontinuing or advising a patient to discontinue a physician's treatment or medicine without first consulting the prescribing or treating physician.

9. Failing to refer a patient with a life threatening illness to a licensed allopathic or osteopathic physician currently practicing homeopathic, allopathic or osteopathic medicine.