North Dakota Code § 43-05-16

Grounds for disciplinary action
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1. The board may refuse to grant a license or permit or may impose disciplinary action as 
described in this chapter against any podiatrist. The following conduct, whether 
occurring in this state or elsewhere, is prohibited and is a basis for disciplinary action:
a. Failure to demonstrate the qualification or satisfy the requirements for a license or 
permit under this chapter or rules of the board.
b. Obtaining a license or permit by fraud or cheating or attempting to subvert the 
licensing or permit examination process, the use of any false, fraudulent, or 
forged statement or document, or the use of any fraudulent, deceitful, dishonest, 
or immoral practice in connection with any of the license or permit requirements.
c. Conviction, during the previous five years, of a misdemeanor or felony reasonably 
related to the practice of podiatric medicine, or determined by the board to have a 
direct bearing upon a person's ability to serve the public as a podiatrist. A license 
may not be withheld contrary to chapter 12.1-33.
d. Revocation, suspension, restriction, limitation, or other disciplinary action against 
the person's podiatric medical license in another state or jurisdiction, failure to 
report to the board that charges regarding the person's license have been 
brought in another state or jurisdiction, or failure to report to the board that the 
person has been refused a license by another state or jurisdiction.
e. Advertising that is false or misleading, or the making of any false or misleading 
statement about the podiatrist's skill, training, experience, or ability or the efficacy 
of any treatment or remedy.
f. Violating a rule adopted by the board; an order of the board; any provision of this 
chapter; any action, stipulation, condition, or agreement imposed by the board; a 
state or federal law that relates to the practice of podiatric medicine; or a state or 
federal narcotics or controlled substance law.
g. Engaging in any unethical conduct; conduct likely to deceive, defraud, or harm 
the public; demonstrating a willful, careless, or negligent disregard for the health, 
welfare, or safety of a patient; or podiatric medical practice that is professionally 
incompetent, in that it may create unnecessary danger to any patient's life, 
health, or safety regardless of whether an actual injury is proved.
h. Failure to supervise a preceptor or resident.
i. Aiding or abetting an unlicensed, incompetent, or impaired person in the practice 
of podiatric medicine.

j. Adjudication by a court of competent jurisdiction as mentally incompetent, 
mentally ill, chemically dependent, a person dangerous to the public, or a person 
who has a psychopathic personality.
k. Engaging in unprofessional conduct that includes any departure from or the 
failure to conform to the minimal standards of acceptable and prevailing podiatric 
medical practice.
l. Inability to practice podiatric medicine with reasonable skill and safety to patients 
because of physical or mental illness, a substance use disorder, or as a result of 
any mental or physical condition or disability.
m. Revealing a privileged communication from or relating to a patient except when 
otherwise required or permitted by law.
n. Improper management of medical records.
o. Accepting, paying, or promising to pay a part of a fee in exchange for patient 
referrals; obtaining any fee by fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation; or paying or 
receiving, directly or indirectly, any fee, commission, rebate, or other 
compensation for services not actually or personally rendered, except for the 
lawful distribution of compensation or fees within a professional partnership, 
corporation, or association.
p. Engaging in abusive or fraudulent billing practices.
q. Habitual use of, or becoming addicted or habituated to, alcohol or drugs.
r. Prescribing, administering, or distributing a drug for other than medically 
accepted therapeutic purposes, experimental, or investigative purposes 
authorized by a state or federal agency.
s. Engaging in sexual misconduct, sexual abuse, or exploitation with or of a patient; 
conduct that may reasonably be interpreted by the patient as sexual; or in verbal 
behavior which is seductive or sexually demeaning to a patient.
t. The failure to furnish the board or representatives information legally requested 
by the board.
u. A continued pattern of inappropriate care as a podiatrist.
v. The practice of podiatric medicine under a false or assumed name other than a 
partnership name containing the names of one or more of the licensed partners.
w. Maintaining a professional office in conjunction or relation with any business not 
engaged in the practice of the medical sciences.
x. Treating any disease, sickness, illness, malady, or defect that is outside the 
scope of the practice of podiatric medicine.
2. In disciplinary actions alleging a violation of subdivision c or d of subsection 1, a copy 
of the judgment or proceeding under the seal of the clerk of court or of the 
administrative agency that entered the judgment or proceeding is admissible into 
evidence without further authentication and constitutes prima facie evidence of the 
contents of that judgment or proceeding.
3. The board shall keep a record of all of its proceedings in the matter of suspending, 
revoking, or refusing licenses or permits together with the evidence offered.

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