OAR 820-015-0010: Processing Complaints

The Board will process complaints as follows: (1) Anyone may submit a complaint against a licensed or unlicensed person. Complaints must be in writing and include evidence to document all charges. (2) The Board will conduct a preliminary review of the complaint to establish that there is sufficient evidence to justify proceeding and that the allegations against the respondent are such that, if proven, would result in a penalty or sanction. (3) If the Board concludes that the complaint may be valid, the Board will contact the respondent by mail and request written comments. Written comments must be received by the Board within two weeks after the Board's request was mailed, unless the Board authorizes an extension. Otherwise, the Board will evaluate the complaint using available evidence other than respondent's comments. (4) The Board will evaluate all evidence and analysis, including any documentation or comments received from the respondent, Board investigators, Board expert witnesses or peer reviewers, Board staff or a committee of the Board. The Board will then proceed as follows: (a) If the Board determines that the evidence is insufficient to issue a notice of intent to sanction, the complainant and respondent will be so notified in writing; (b) If the Board determines that the evidence is sufficient to issue a notice of intent to sanction, the Board will issue such notice. (5) Upon request of the Board, digitally signed documents must be provided to the Board in a form that can be processed by the Board’s information processing systems.