(a)
A licensed marriage and family therapist, associate marriage and family therapist, licensed clinical social worker, associate clinical social worker, licensed professional clinical counselor, associate professional clinical counselor, or licensed educational psychologist whose license or registration has been revoked, suspended, or placed on probation, may petition the board for reinstatement or modification of the penalty, including modification or termination of probation. The petition shall be on a form provided by the board and shall state any facts and information as may be required by the board including, but not limited to, proof of compliance with the terms and conditions of the underlying disciplinary order. The petition shall be verified by the petitioner who shall file an original and sufficient copies of the
petition, together with any supporting documents, for the members of the board, the administrative law judge, and the Attorney General.
(b)
The licensee or registrant may file the petition on or after the expiration of the following timeframes, each of which excludes any periods during which the probation was tolled, and commences on the effective date of the decision ordering the disciplinary action or, if the order of the board, or any portion of it, is stayed by the board itself or by the superior court, from the date the disciplinary action is actually implemented in its entirety:
(1)
Three years for reinstatement of a license or registration that was revoked for unprofessional conduct, except that the board may, in its sole discretion, specify in its revocation order that a petition for reinstatement may be filed after two years. A registrant who is ineligible for
reinstatement pursuant to Section 4984.01, 4996.28, or 4999.100 may apply for a subsequent registration number.
(2)
Two years for early termination of any probation period of three years or more.
(3)
One year for modification of a condition, reinstatement of a license or registration revoked for mental or physical illness, or termination of probation of less than three years. A registrant who is ineligible for reinstatement pursuant to Section 4984.01, 4996.28, or 4999.100 may apply for a subsequent registration number.
(c)
The petition may be heard by the board itself or the board may assign the petition to an administrative law judge pursuant to Section 11512 of the Government Code.
(d)
If the petition is to be heard by the board, the petitioner may
request that the board schedule the hearing on the petition for a board meeting at a specific city where the board regularly meets.
(e)
The petitioner and the Attorney General shall be given timely notice by letter of the time and place of the hearing on the petition and an opportunity to present both oral and documentary evidence and argument to the board or the administrative law judge.
(f)
The petitioner shall at all times have the burden of production and proof to establish by clear and convincing evidence that they are entitled to the relief sought in the petition.
(g)
The board, when it is hearing the petition itself, or an administrative law judge sitting for the board, may consider all activities of the petitioner since the disciplinary action was taken, the offense for which the petitioner was disciplined,
the petitioner’s activities during the time their license or registration was in good standing, and the petitioner’s rehabilitative efforts, general reputation for truth, and professional ability.
(h)
The hearing may be continued from time to time as the board or the administrative law judge deems appropriate but in no case may the hearing on the petition be delayed more than 180 days from its filing without the consent of the petitioner.
(i)
The board itself, or the administrative law judge if one is designated by the board, shall hear the petition and shall prepare a written decision setting forth the reasons supporting the decision. In a decision granting a petition reinstating a license or modifying a penalty, the board itself, or the administrative law judge, may impose any terms and conditions that the agency deems reasonably appropriate, including those set forth in
Sections 823 and 4990.40. If a petition is heard by an administrative law judge sitting alone, the administrative law judge shall prepare a proposed decision and submit it to the board. The board may take action with respect to the proposed decision and petition as it deems appropriate.
(j)
The petitioner shall pay a fingerprinting fee and provide a current set of their fingerprints to the board. The petitioner shall execute a form authorizing release to the board or its designee, of all information concerning the petitioner’s current physical and mental condition. Information provided to the board pursuant to the release shall be confidential and shall not be subject to discovery or subpoena in any other proceeding, and shall not be admissible in any action, other than before the board, to determine the petitioner’s fitness to practice as required by Section 822.
(k)
The board
may delegate to its executive officer authority to order investigation of the contents of the petition.
(l)
No petition shall be considered while the petitioner is under sentence for any criminal offense, including any period during which the petitioner is on court-imposed probation or parole or the petitioner is required to register pursuant to Section 290 of the Penal Code. No petition shall be considered while there is an accusation or petition to revoke probation pending against the petitioner.
(m)
Except in those cases where the petitioner has been disciplined for violation of Section 822, the board may in its discretion deny without hearing or argument any petition that is filed pursuant to this section within a period of two years from the effective date of a prior decision following a hearing under this section.
