(A) The board may revoke, suspend, or restrict the license or permit of a psychologist or reprimand a psychologist when it is established that the psychologist is guilty of misconduct. Misconduct is a satisfactory showing to the board that a license or permit holder:

(1) has used a false, fraudulent, or forged statement or document or has practiced a fraudulent, deceitful, or dishonest act in connection with a license requirement;

Terms Used In South Carolina Code 40-55-150

  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Nolo contendere: No contest-has the same effect as a plea of guilty, as far as the criminal sentence is concerned, but may not be considered as an admission of guilt for any other purpose.
  • Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.

(2) has been convicted of a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude. Forfeiture of a bond or a plea of nolo contendere must be considered the equivalent of a conviction;

(3) practiced psychology while under the influence of alcohol or drugs to such a degree as to adversely affect the license or permit holder’s ability to practice psychology;

(4) uses alcohol or drugs to such a degree as to adversely affect the license or permit holder’s ability to practice psychology;

(5) has knowingly performed an act which in any way assists a person to practice psychology illegally;

(6) has caused to be published or circulated directly or indirectly a fraudulent, false, or misleading statement as to the skill or methods of practice of a psychologist;

(7) has sustained physical or mental impairment or disability which renders further practice by the license or permit holder dangerous to the public;

(8) has violated the principles of ethics as adopted by the board and published in its regulations;

(9) has engaged in conduct that is deceptive, fraudulent, or harmful to the public;

(10) is guilty of obtaining fees or assisting in obtaining fees under deceptive, false, or fraudulent circumstances;

(11) is guilty of the use of an intentionally false or fraudulent statement in a document connected with the practice of psychology;

(12) has been found by the board to lack the professional competence to practice psychology;

(13) has violated a provision of this chapter regulating the practice of psychology.

(B) In addition to all other remedies and actions incorporated in this chapter, the license of a psychologist adjudged mentally incompetent by a court of competent jurisdiction must be automatically suspended by the board until the psychologist is adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction or in any other manner provided by law as being restored to mental competency.

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