Anyone, including the Board may file a complaint against a licensed acupuncturist for anything they believe is a violation of law.

To get a complaint form you can download the attached document or contact the Board office at (602) 542-3095 and one will be sent to you.

When filing a complaint it must include the following information:

1. The complainants name, address and telephone number.
2. The acupuncturists name and address.
3. The nature of the complaint with as much detail as possible.

Anonymous complaints are accepted, however, the Board cannot guarantee the anonymity of the complainant if the nature of the complaint will require a witness or testimony from the complainant.

The Board cannot accept complaints filed against a clinic or facility when an acupuncturist is not identified in the complaint.

All complaints filed against an acupuncturist are investigated and brought before the Board for review and action.

1. A complaint number is assigned and file opened.
2. A copy of the complaint is sent to the acupuncturist and response is required.
3. Any supporting documents are obtained.
4. A copy of the response is sent to the complainant who then can make a written rebuttal.
5. Once the complaint investigation is complete the matter is set on a Board agenda for them to review.
6. At the Board meeting, they will determine the following during their review:
   1. Is the nature of the complaint under the Board’s jurisdiction?
      • If the answer is “No”, the complaint will be dismissed because the Board has no jurisdiction to proceed.
      • If the answer is “Yes”, the Board will go onto number two below.
   2. Is there a substantive basis on which to believe a law may have been violated?
      • If the answer is “No”, the complaint will be dismissed.
      • If the answer is “No”, but the Board had concerns, they could dismiss the complaint with a non-disciplinary letter of concern.
      • If the answer is “Yes”, the complaint is voted to hearing.
      • If the answer is “Not sure”, then the Board can hold the complaint open for further investigation.

7. Both the complainant and the acupuncturist will be notified of the time and location of the Board meeting so they can be present and address the Board.  An acupuncturist has the right to have an attorney represent them any time through out the complaint process.  Both parties will be notified in writing as to what happened to the complaint at the Board meeting.

8. If the complaint is voted to hearing, then a formal process takes over.  The acupuncturist will be served a “Complaint Notice of Hearing”.  This document identifies the date, time and place of the hearing.  It will also outline the factual allegations and charges made against the acupuncturist, by the State of Arizona.  An attorney can represent the acupuncturist at this hearing.  The complainant should be prepared to act as a witness at the hearing.

9. If at the hearing the Board finds a violation of law, they can impose any of the following sanctions.

   1. Letter of concern

   2. Decree of censure

   3. Probation

   4. Restrict or limit the practice of the licensee

   5. Civil Penalty of not more than $10,000.00 per violation

   6. Suspend a license

   7. Revoke a license

10. If at the hearing the Board finds there was no violation of law, they can dismiss the complaint.

Depending on the complexity of the investigation or if there are related criminal issues, it can take anywhere from 30 days to months to resolve.  The Board makes every effort to make sure the complaint proceeds in a timely manner.

Yes.  The same complaint process holds true for auricular acupuncture certificate holders.