OLERE - Oklahoma Legal and Ethical Responsibilities Board Complaint and Disciplinary Actions Questions and Answers

Question 1

An LPC receives a formal "Request for Inquiry" (RFI) via certified mail from the Oklahoma State Board of Behavioral Health Licensure.
What is the LPC's primary professional and legal obligation upon receipt of this notice?

Accepted Answer

Provide a detailed, sworn written response to the Board within the specified timeframe.

Answer

Immediately contact the complainant to attempt an informal resolution.

Answer

Surrender their license to the Board until the investigation is complete.

Answer

Seek legal counsel and refuse to communicate directly with the Board.

Question 2

Which of the following is explicitly listed as a ground for disciplinary action, including potential license suspension or revocation, under the Oklahoma Licensed Professional Counselors Act?

Accepted Answer

Engaging in unprofessional conduct as defined by the Board's rules.

Answer

Charging fees that are moderately higher than the community average.

Answer

Properly terminating a therapeutic relationship when a client is no longer benefiting.

Answer

Advertising a new therapeutic specialty after attending an introductory workshop.

Question 3

An LPC is found by the Board to have engaged in a non-sexual dual relationship that impaired their professional judgment. The violation is deemed significant but not severe enough for license revocation. Which of the following is a likely disciplinary action the Board might impose?

Accepted Answer

A formal reprimand, a period of license probation with required supervision, and specific continuing education on professional ethics.

Answer

A requirement to publish a public apology in a statewide newspaper.

Answer

Permanent revocation of the license with no possibility of reinstatement.

Answer

An order to provide one year of pro bono counseling services to a charity.

Question 4

If an Oklahoma LPC becomes aware that a personal substance abuse problem is impairing their ability to practice competently, what is their primary ethical responsibility according to the state's rules of professional conduct?

Accepted Answer

Refrain from offering or rendering professional services and seek assistance.

Answer

Continue practicing but reduce their client load by half.

Answer

Inform all current clients of the specific nature of the impairment.

Answer

Self-report the impairment to the Board within 24 hours.

Question 5

An LPC receives a notice that a formal complaint has been filed and an investigation is underway. As part of this process, which of the following actions is the Oklahoma State Board of Behavioral Health Licensure empowered to take?

Accepted Answer

Issue a subpoena to compel the production of client records and other relevant documents.

Answer

Conduct a warrantless search of the licensee's private office.

Answer

Place a lien on the licensee's personal property to cover potential fines.

Answer

Order the licensee to pay restitution to the complainant before a formal hearing.

Question 6

An LPC in Tulsa is overwhelmed by a client complaint and ignores the Board's Request for Inquiry (RFI), failing to provide the required sworn response within the 30-day deadline. What is the most likely consequence of this inaction?

Accepted Answer

The Board may consider the failure to respond as a separate violation and initiate disciplinary action on that basis.

Answer

The complaint is automatically dismissed due to a lack of a response.

Answer

The Board will send a maximum of three additional reminders before taking any action.

Answer

The Board must first obtain a court order to compel a response before proceeding.

An LPC receives a formal "Request for Inquiry" (RFI) via certified mail from the Oklahoma State Board of Behavioral Health Licensure.What is the LPC's primary professional and legal obligation upon receipt of this notice?

An LPC receives a formal "Request for Inquiry" (RFI) via certified mail from the Oklahoma State Board of Behavioral Health Licensure.
What is the LPC's primary professional and legal obligation upon receipt of this notice?