Complaints & Claims

General Information About Filing Complaints and Claims

A Complaint is filed when unprofessional conduct is alleged against a psychologist, behavior analyst, or applicant for licensure. However, in cases where unprofessional conducted is alleged against a psychologist who provided services that were ordered by a Court, a Claim, rather than a Complaint, should be filed. 

It is also important to note that Arizona Revised Statute (A.R.S.) §32-2081(B) states:

The Board shall not consider a complaint against a psychologist arising out of a judicially ordered evaluation, treatment or psychoeducation of a person charged with violating any provision of title 13, chapter 14 [Sexual Offenses] to present a charge of unprofessional conduct unless the court ordering the evaluation has found a substantial basis to refer the complaint for consideration by the board. Complaints filed under A.R.S. §32-2081(B) will be returned to the Complainant with instructions that those Complaints must be filed with the Court that heard the original court case.

Click on this Link to access a list of other state health boards and facilty licensing agenices. 

Complaints

A Complaint may be filed when unprofessional conduct is alleged against a psychologist (except as noted above for Court-ordered services), behavior analyst, or applicant for licensure.

To file a complaint against a licensed psychologist, licensed behavior analyst, or applicant for licensure, please complete the Complaint form, which may be downloaded from this page (see below) or under the "FORMS" tab (see "General Forms"). The Board accepts complaints by mail, via fax to 602-542-8279, or by email to: [email protected]

Complaints are reviewed by Board staff to determine whether the Board has jurisdiction to open the complaint for investiagtion.  Those Complaints for which the Board has jurisdiction are logged, assigned a number, and the Complainant is notified of the Agency’s receipt of the Complaint.  The Respondent (psychologist, behavior analyst, or applicant) is sent a copy of the Complaint along with supporting documentation submittted and provided the opportunity to respond.  Once a Complaint is opened, it must go through the entire Complaint process and cannot be withdrawn or rescinded.  Materials relating to a Complaint are confidential.   

Complaints are reviewed by Board staff to determined whether the Board has jurisdiction. Those Complaints for which the Board has jurisdiction are logged, assigned a number, and the Complainant is notify of the Agency's receipt of the Complaint. The Respondent (psychologist, behavior analyst, or applicant) is sent a copy of the Complaint and provided the opportunity to respond. Once a Complaint is opened, it must go through the entire Complaint process and cannot be withdrawn or rescinded. Materials related to a Complaint are confidential. 

The Complaint will first be investigated by Board staff. For Complaints filed against a licensed psychologist or psychologist applicant, all related materials, such as the original Complaint, response, and and other pertinent materials will be provided to the Board's Complaint Screening Committee (CSC), which consists of one public member and two psychologist members of the Board. The CSC provides the first level of review for Complaints against psychologists. The CSC may dismiss the Complaint, refer the Complaint to the full Board for further consideration, or request additional information. For Complaints filed against a licensed behavior analyst or behavior analyst applicant, they are reviewed by the Board's Committee on Behavior Analysts (CBA), which is comprised of five licensed behavior analysts. The CBA provides the first level of review for Complaints against behavior analysts. The CBA makes a recommendation to the Board regarding complaint disposition, which the Board may accept or reject. 

Complaint Form

Claims

To file a claim against a psychologist who has provided services ordered by a Court, please complete the Claim form, which may be downloaded from this page (see below) or under the "FORMS" tab (see "General Forms"). The Board accepts Claims by mail, via fax to 602-542-8279, or by email to: [email protected]

Pursuant to A.R.S. 32-2081(C), the claim will be independently reviewed by three members of the Board (“Reviewers”), including one public member. The Board office may contact the Claimant with follow up questions or to request additional documentation.  Each Reviewer will review the Claim and will independently make a recommendation to the Board’s Executive Director regarding whether there is merit to open a Complaint.  If the three Reviewers independently recommend not opening a Complaint, a Complaint will not be opened.  If, however, one or more Reviewer(s) recommend opening a complaint, a complaint will be opened and an investigation will follow.  You will be notified of the outcome of the review.  The psychologist will be notified of the Claim pursuant to A.R.S. 32-2081(E).

Claim Form

SURVEY

Tell us how we're doing! The Board would appreciate it you would take a moment to complete this optional survey regarding investigations and your contact with Board staff and/or the Complaint Screening Committee. The survey can be accessed by clicking on the link below: 

https://tinyurl.com/investigationsurvey

Small Business Bill of Rights

As part of the Board’s work in connection with investigating complaints, Arizona law authorizes the Board to examine and copy documents, reports, records, and other physical evidence wherever located relating to the psychologist’s or behavior analyst’s professional competence, unprofessional conduct or mental or physical ability to safely practice psychology or behavior analysis.  This examination is conducted under the authority of Arizona Revised Statutes §§32-2082(A) and 32-2091.10.   

In the event Board authorized staff conducts an inspection or examination at a licensee’s place of employment, a Small Business Bill of Rights is provided pursuant to A.R.S. 1001.01(C).