Disciplinary/Investigations FAQ's

A. The Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board licenses and regulates Licensed Psychologists (LP), Licensed Master's Level Psychologists (LMLP), Licensed Clinical Psychotherapists (LCP), Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Workers (LSCSW), Licensed Master's Level Social Workers (LMSW), Licensed Bachelor Social Workers (LBSW), Licensed Associate Social Workers (Renewals only) (LASW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT),Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapists (LCMFT), Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC), Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors (LCPC), Licensed Addiction Counselors (LAC), Licensed Masters Addiction Counselors (LMAC), Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselors (LCAC), Licensed Assistant Behavior Analysts (LaBA) and Licensed Behavior Analysts (LBA).

A. Anyone who believes that a licensee or applicant of the Board has or is engaging in unprofessional conduct related to his or her professional responsibilities or license, should file a complaint with the Board.

You can find the professional conduct regulations for each profession on that professions page.

A. All complaints must first be submitted to the Board in writing. Therefore, the first step to filing a complaint is obtaining and completing the Report of Alleged Violation form. You can obtain the RAV form by contacting the Board office at (785) 296-3240, or you can download the form from this site.

The Report of Alleged Violation form should be filled out in complete detail.  Remember to include any documentation that may support your allegations, however, send copies only. Do not send the original documents.  When completing the Narrative section of the Report of Alleged Violation, start from the beginning and explain the incident(s) that have led to you filing the complaint in story form detail. It is helpful to answer the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How questions when your are completing this section.

A. All complaints must be in writing and on our complaint form.  Please mail the complaint form to the Board so that it includes the original signature pages to the following address:

Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board
700 SW Harrison St. Ste. 420
Topeka, KS 66603

We cannot begin an investigation until we have received the official signed complaint forms, including a signed a release.

A.  The BSRB only has authority and jurisdiction regarding the individual and their license.  You need to complete the complaint form and send it to the Board so that the Board has all of the information necessary to review the complaint.  All complaints must be in writing.

A. Sometimes. A Release of Information Authorization/Waiver of Confidentiality form is included with the RAV form and should be completed for each therapist, mental health center, and/or for any other entity such as an employer or hospital. This form authorizes the professional to respond regarding the complaint, which may involve sharing confidential information about the complainant. The Authorization must be signed and returned along with the RAV before the Board can contact the licensee in regards to the complaint. The Board is precluded from contacting the licensee concerning the complaint without the Release of Information Authorization.

A. When the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board receives a completed Report of Alleged Violation, an initial determination is made as to whether to proceed with opening the case for investigation. 

Upon receipt each complaint is assigned a case number.  After the initial determination is made to proceed with the investigation the licensee is notified of the allegations.

The investigation process can consist of gathering mental health records and other various documents, interviewing the licensee and witnesses, and writing narrative reports. Depending on the seriousness and complexity of the allegations, the investigation can be very time consuming and could take several months to complete.

A. The length of the process and investigation varies greatly depending on the complexity of the case and the regulations involved.

A. After the initial investigative process is complete, the case is reviewed by the Complaint Review Committee.  The Committee may make several determinations.  This may include that there are not clear facts to support a violation and that the Committee wishes to dismiss the case.  If the facts do support a violation, the Committee will determine which regulation and/or statutes have been violated.  The Committee will also propose a disciplinary order.

See the Investigation Policy.

- Investigation Policy

A. In most cases, the Board notifies the person submitting the complaint of the general outcome of the case in writing.  For example, the Board may indicate a complaint was dismissed or discipline was initiated against a licensee.  However, specifics and details of an investigation or the outcome will not be discussed.

A. The committee is comprised of 5 Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board Members.  Three members are licensed and from three different professions.  The other two members are public members who serve on the Board.  Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board staff and disciplinary counsel from the Attorney General's office serve on the committee in an advisory capacity.

A.

- Practicing without a license

- Failing to complete continuing education requirements

- Acts of unprofessional conduct

- refusing to cooperate with a Board investigation

- practicing in a cruel or discriminating manner toward a person

- revealing a confidence or secret of any client

- making sexual advances toward or engaging in physical intimacies with any client

- Making a false statement in connection with any application

- The Board has legal authority to revoke, suspend, or limit licenses/registrations, require monitoring or additional education, or impose other remedial measures.

- The Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board does not represent individuals, nor obtain compensation on behalf of individuals. Each person is free to seek legal representation if they believe it necessary.