{"id":39854,"date":"2026-07-20T18:19:45","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T18:19:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/?page_id=39854"},"modified":"2026-07-20T19:55:17","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T19:55:17","slug":"facing-a-complaint-before-the-north-carolina-psychology-board-a-psychologists-starting-guide","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/facing-a-complaint-before-the-north-carolina-psychology-board-a-psychologists-starting-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Facing a complaint before the North Carolina Psychology Board: a psychologist&#8217;s starting guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"39854\" class=\"elementor elementor-39854\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1731012 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"1731012\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6113f6a elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"6113f6a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n<!-- Healthcare Ethics Courses \u2014 US Knowledge & Support \u2014 Florida Doctors article. 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href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/\">Home<\/a><span>\/<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/knowledge-support\/\">Knowledge &amp; Support<\/a><span>\/<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/knowledge-support\/\">North Carolina Psychologists<\/a><\/p>\r\n    <p class=\"eyebrow\">North Carolina &middot; State Psychology Boards<\/p>\r\n    <h1>Facing a complaint before the North Carolina Psychology Board: a psychologist's starting guide<\/h1>\r\n    <p class=\"meta\">6 min read &middot; Updated July 2026<\/p>\r\n\r\n    <p class=\"lead\">Learning that a complaint has been filed against you with the North Carolina Psychology Board is unsettling, but it is the start of a defined process governed by the Psychology Practice Act \u2014 and most complaints never result in discipline. This starting guide explains who regulates psychologists in North Carolina, who can file a complaint and on what grounds, the confidentiality protections that apply, and the actions the Board can take, so you understand the pathway before you respond.<\/p>\r\n\r\n    <aside class=\"takeaways\">\r\n      <h2>Key takeaways<\/h2>\r\n      <ul>\r\n      <li>North Carolina psychologists are regulated by the Psychology Board under the Psychology Practice Act (Article 18A of Chapter 90) and the rules at 21 NCAC Chapter 54.<\/li>\r\n      <li>Complaints are measured against the Board's Code of Conduct \u2014 rooted in the APA ethical principles \u2014 with the disciplinary provisions in G.S. 90-270.148.<\/li>\r\n      <li>The Board investigates, then either enters a consent order or issues a statement of charges leading to a hearing under Chapter 150B.<\/li>\r\n      <li>Investigation records are confidential, but any statement of charges, hearing notice, or decision is a public record.<\/li>\r\n      <li>The Board's actions range from a reprimand or censure through probation, remediation and supervision to suspension or revocation.<\/li>\r\n      <\/ul>\r\n    <\/aside>\r\n\r\n    <h2>Who regulates psychologist complaints in North Carolina?<\/h2>\r\n    <p>In North Carolina, psychologists and psychological associates are licensed and disciplined by the <strong>North Carolina Psychology Board<\/strong> under the <strong>Psychology Practice Act<\/strong>, which is Article 18A of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes. The Board investigates complaints, holds hearings, and imposes discipline directly.<\/p>\r\n    <p>The Board's rules sit at <strong>21 NCAC Chapter 54<\/strong>, and licensees are held to a <strong>Code of Conduct<\/strong> rooted in the ethical principles of the American Psychological Association. The core disciplinary provision is <strong>G.S. 90-270.148<\/strong>, which sets out both the grounds for action and the range of remedies available.<\/p>\r\n    <h2>Who can file a complaint, and on what grounds?<\/h2>\r\n    <p>Almost anyone can file a complaint in writing with the Board \u2014 clients and their families most commonly, but also colleagues, employers, other agencies, and courts. The Board also acts on information such as disciplinary action taken against a psychologist in another state.<\/p>\r\n    <p>The grounds are conduct that departs from the <strong>Code of Conduct<\/strong> and the Board's rules. The most common in psychology are <strong>dual or multiple relationships<\/strong> (including sexual or social relationships, which the Ethics Code does not permit even after therapy ends), breaches of <a href='https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/courses\/confidentiality-in-healthcare-practice\/'>confidentiality<\/a>, <strong>negligence<\/strong> or failure to meet the standard of care, failure to obtain informed <a href='https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/courses\/privacy-consent-and-chaperone-in-healthcare-practice\/'>consent<\/a>, practising outside one's <a href='https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/courses\/ensuring-clinical-competence-and-patient-safety\/'>competence<\/a>, and impairment affecting practice.<\/p>\r\n    <h2>What is the Code of Conduct?<\/h2>\r\n    <p>The <strong>Code of Conduct<\/strong> is the set of ethical and professional standards, adopted in the Board's rules, against which a psychologist's conduct is measured. Under G.S. 90-270.148(a), every licensee is required to have behaved in conformity with those standards, and a departure from them is what gives the Board authority to act.<\/p>\r\n    <p>Because the Code draws on the APA ethical principles, its reach is broad \u2014 covering competence, confidentiality, informed consent, multiple relationships, assessment, and the honest conduct of professional work. Understanding it is the best way to understand what a complaint is really alleging.<\/p>\r\n    <h2>What happens after a complaint is filed?<\/h2>\r\n    <p>The Board reviews the complaint and investigates alleged violations. During the investigation it may request records and interviews, and it can ask a licensee under investigation to <strong>consent to a criminal history record check<\/strong> \u2014 refusing can itself be a ground for discipline. If the evidence supports action, the Board may resolve the matter by a <a href='https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/courses\/dealing-with-a-complaint-or-investigation-professionally\/'>consent order<\/a> or by issuing a formal <strong>statement of charges<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n    <p>The Practice Act expressly allows the Board to enter a consent order \u2014 relating to discipline, supervision, probation, remediation, rehabilitation, or practice limitation \u2014 <strong>in lieu of or in connection with<\/strong> disciplinary proceedings or an investigation. Many cases are resolved this way rather than at a contested hearing.<\/p>\r\n    <h2>Are complaints against North Carolina psychologists confidential?<\/h2>\r\n    <p>To a significant degree, yes. The records, papers, and documents the Board collects through <strong>investigations, inquiries, and interviews<\/strong> are <strong>not public records<\/strong> under Chapter 132 of the General Statutes.<\/p>\r\n    <p>There is an important exception. Any <strong>notice or statement of charges<\/strong>, any <strong>notice of a hearing<\/strong>, and any <strong>decision rendered<\/strong> in a proceeding <em>is<\/em> a public record \u2014 even though it may contain information compiled during the investigation \u2014 subject to deletion of client-identifying details. The Board may also close a hearing to protect a client's confidentiality. So the investigation is confidential, but a formal outcome becomes public.<\/p>\r\n    <h2>What actions can the Board take?<\/h2>\r\n    <p>Under G.S. 90-270.148(b), the Board's options run, in ascending order, from a <strong>formal reprimand or censure<\/strong>, through <strong>probation<\/strong> with conditions, required <strong>examination, remediation, or rehabilitation<\/strong> (including care, counselling or treatment by a Board-approved professional, at the licensee's expense), required <strong>supervision<\/strong>, and <strong>limitation of practice<\/strong>, up to <strong>suspension<\/strong> or <strong>revocation<\/strong> of the license.<\/p>\r\n    <p>A licensee may also, with the Board's consent, <strong>voluntarily relinquish<\/strong> a license \u2014 though the Board can withhold consent to investigate a pending complaint first. Most complaints resolve well short of revocation, particularly where the psychologist engages professionally and shows <a href='https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/courses\/insight-for-fitness-to-practice\/'>insight<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n    <h2>What should you do first?<\/h2>\r\n    <p>Take the complaint seriously from the outset. Note any deadline, and do not contact the person you believe complained. Do not alter or add to your records; changes are readily detected and turn a defensible case into a serious one. Notify your malpractice carrier, as many policies fund license-defense counsel, and retain an attorney experienced in North Carolina Psychology Board matters before you respond.<\/p>\r\n    <p>Beyond the immediate response, the psychologists who fare best can show <a href='https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/courses\/insight-for-fitness-to-practice\/'>insight<\/a> and, where appropriate, <a href='https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/courses\/remediation-for-fitness-to-practise\/'>remediation<\/a> \u2014 evidence that they have reflected on the issue and taken concrete steps to prevent recurrence. Building that record early consistently strengthens your position.<\/p>\r\n\r\n    <section class=\"courses\">\r\n      <h2>Related courses<\/h2>\r\n      <p class=\"note\">These are ethics and professional-development courses that help build the insight and mitigation record the Board considers. They are not accredited CE and are not a substitute for North Carolina's mandatory continuing education for psychologists; confirm how any completion is recognized.<\/p>\r\n      <div class=\"cgrid\">\r\n      <a class=\"ccard\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/courses\/dealing-with-a-complaint-or-investigation-professionally\/\"><span class=\"ct\">Dealing with a Complaint or Investigation Professionally<\/span><span class=\"cd\">How to conduct yourself through a regulatory complaint or investigation.<\/span><\/a>\r\n      <a class=\"ccard\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/courses\/ethics-and-ethical-standards-for-psychologists\/\"><span class=\"ct\">Ethics and Ethical Standards for Psychologists<\/span><span class=\"cd\">Foundational ethics grounded in the conduct expected of psychologists.<\/span><\/a>\r\n      <a class=\"ccard\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/courses\/professional-boundaries-course\/\"><span class=\"ct\">Professional Boundaries<\/span><span class=\"cd\">Maintaining appropriate boundaries and avoiding dual relationships.<\/span><\/a>\r\n      <a class=\"ccard\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/courses\/insight-for-fitness-to-practice\/\"><span class=\"ct\">Insight for Fitness to Practice<\/span><span class=\"cd\">Demonstrating the insight the Board looks for when it weighs mitigation.<\/span><\/a>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/section>\r\n\r\n    <section class=\"siblings\">\r\n      <h2>More North Carolina psychologist guides<\/h2>\r\n      <ul>\r\n        <li><a href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/what-to-expect-during-a-north-carolina-psychology-board-investigation\/\">What to expect during a North Carolina Psychology Board investigation<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/responding-to-the-north-carolina-psychology-board-how-to-build-your-defense\/\">Responding to the North Carolina Psychology Board: how to build your defense<\/a><\/li>\r\n      <\/ul>\r\n    <\/section>\r\n\r\n    <section class=\"faq\">\r\n      <h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\r\n      <details><summary>Who regulates psychologists in North Carolina?<\/summary><div class=\"fa\">The North Carolina Psychology Board, under the Psychology Practice Act (Article 18A of Chapter 90). The Board investigates complaints, holds hearings under Chapter 150B, and imposes discipline directly.<\/div><\/details>\r\n      <details><summary>How do I file a complaint against a North Carolina psychologist?<\/summary><div class=\"fa\">Complaints are filed in writing with the North Carolina Psychology Board. Anyone can file \u2014 clients, family, colleagues, employers, or agencies \u2014 and the Board also acts on information such as out-of-state discipline.<\/div><\/details>\r\n      <details><summary>What are the grounds for discipline?<\/summary><div class=\"fa\">Conduct that departs from the Board's Code of Conduct and rules, under G.S. 90-270.148 \u2014 commonly dual or multiple relationships, breaches of confidentiality, negligence, lack of informed consent, practising outside one's competence, or impairment.<\/div><\/details>\r\n      <details><summary>Are North Carolina psychology complaints public?<\/summary><div class=\"fa\">Investigation records are not public. However, any statement of charges, notice of hearing, or decision rendered in a proceeding is a public record, subject to deletion of client-identifying details.<\/div><\/details>\r\n      <details><summary>What actions can the Board take?<\/summary><div class=\"fa\">Under G.S. 90-270.148(b): a reprimand or censure, probation, required examination, remediation or rehabilitation, supervision, limitation of practice, suspension, or revocation. A licensee may also relinquish a license with the Board's consent.<\/div><\/details>\r\n      <details><summary>Should I get a lawyer if a complaint is filed?<\/summary><div class=\"fa\">Yes. Board proceedings are legal and administrative, your response shapes the outcome, and the hearing-waiver rule carries real consequences. Many malpractice policies fund license-defense counsel.<\/div><\/details>\r\n    <\/section>\r\n\r\n    <p class=\"disclaimer\">This article is general information for psychologists, not legal advice. Regulatory processes change and every case turns on its own facts \u2014 confirm current requirements with the North Carolina Psychology Board and your own attorney before acting.<\/p>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\r\n{\r\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\r\n  \"@graph\": [\r\n    {\r\n      \"@type\": \"Article\",\r\n      \"headline\": \"Facing a complaint before the North Carolina Psychology Board: a psychologist's starting guide\",\r\n      \"description\": \"A starting guide for psychologists facing a North Carolina Psychology Board complaint: who can file, the Code of Conduct, confidentiality, and penalties.\",\r\n      \"articleSection\": \"Knowledge & Support\",\r\n      \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\r\n      \"url\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/knowledge-support\/psychologists\/north-carolina\/complaints\/\",\r\n      \"datePublished\": \"2026-07-07\",\r\n      \"dateModified\": \"2026-07-07\",\r\n      \"author\": {\r\n        \"@type\": \"Person\",\r\n        \"name\": \"Dr Shehzad Iqbal\"\r\n      },\r\n      \"publisher\": {\r\n        \"@type\": \"Organization\",\r\n        \"name\": \"Healthcare Ethics Courses\",\r\n        \"url\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/\"\r\n      },\r\n      \"mainEntityOfPage\": {\r\n        \"@type\": \"WebPage\",\r\n        \"@id\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/knowledge-support\/psychologists\/north-carolina\/complaints\/\"\r\n      }\r\n    },\r\n    {\r\n      \"@type\": \"BreadcrumbList\",\r\n      \"itemListElement\": [\r\n        {\r\n          \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\r\n          \"position\": 1,\r\n          \"name\": \"Home\",\r\n          \"item\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/\"\r\n        },\r\n        {\r\n          \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\r\n          \"position\": 2,\r\n          \"name\": \"Knowledge & Support\",\r\n          \"item\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/knowledge-support\/\"\r\n        },\r\n        {\r\n          \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\r\n          \"position\": 3,\r\n          \"name\": \"North Carolina Psychologists\",\r\n          \"item\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/knowledge-support\/\"\r\n        },\r\n        {\r\n          \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\r\n          \"position\": 4,\r\n          \"name\": \"Facing a complaint before the North Carolina Psychology Board: a psychologist's starting guide\",\r\n          \"item\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/us\/knowledge-support\/psychologists\/north-carolina\/complaints\/\"\r\n        }\r\n      ]\r\n    },\r\n    {\r\n      \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\r\n      \"mainEntity\": [\r\n        {\r\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\r\n          \"name\": \"Who regulates psychologists in North Carolina?\",\r\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\r\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\r\n            \"text\": \"The North Carolina Psychology Board, under the Psychology Practice Act (Article 18A of Chapter 90). 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