21 NCAC 01 .0702             FILING COMPLAINTS

(a)  General.  Any person who has reason to believe that a licensed acupuncturist has violated the laws governing acupuncture may file a complaint with the North Carolina Acupuncture Licensing Board.  Complaints shall be filed with the secretary of the North Carolina Acupuncture Licensing Board at 1418 Aversboro Road, Garner, North Carolina 27529.

(b)  Form of Complaint.  Complaints may be formal or informal, but must be in writing:

(1)           Informal Complaint.  The Board shall consider any written communication, construed most favorably to the complainant, which appears to allege a violation of the laws governing acupuncture an informal complaint.

(2)           Formal Complaint.  A complainant shall execute a formal complaint in writing under oath upon a form provided by the secretary.  The complaint shall specify the statute or rule allegedly violated and shall contain a short statement of the acts or omissions constituting the alleged violation including the dates of said acts or omissions.

(c)  Secretary's Response to Complaints.  The secretary shall review any complaint to determine whether a major or minor violation has been alleged.  If the secretary determines that the alleged violation is minor, he shall attempt to resolve the complaint by informal communication with the complainant and the acupuncturist complained of.  If the secretary determines that the alleged violation is major, he shall assist the complainant in filing a formal complaint, if one has not already been filed.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 90-454;

Eff. February 1, 1997;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. November 12, 2014.