# Title 4.5 — Addiction Counseling Examiners, Board of

## Article 4.5-02.1 — Addiction Counseling Examiners Licensure

## Chapter 4.5-02.1-05 — Professional Conduct

### § 4.5-02.1-05-01. Code of ethics.

A licensed addiction counselor and anyone under licensed addiction counselor supervision shall
conduct professional practice in conformity with the most recently published national association of
alcoholism and drug abuse counselors code of ethics.
History: Effective January 1, 2002; amended effective January 1, 2008; July 1, 2014; July 1, 2018;
October 1, 2025.
General Authority: NDCC 43-45-04
Law Implemented: NDCC 43-45-04, 43-45-07.1
### § 4.5-02.1-05-02. Ethics subcommittee.

An ethics subcommittee may be established to review and make recommendations to the board of
examiners on whether to initiate a formal disciplinary action. Members of the ethics subcommittee shall
be board members chosen by the chairperson and confirmed by the board.
History: Effective January 1, 2002; amended effective July 1, 2014.
General Authority: NDCC 43-45-04
Law Implemented: NDCC 43-45-04, 43-45-07.3
### § 4.5-02.1-05-03. Complaint procedure.

1. Upon filing of a written and signed complaint alleging a licensee engaged in conduct identified
as grounds for disciplinary action under North Dakota Century Code section 43-45-07.1, the
board shall notify the licensee of the complaint and require a written response from the
licensee.
2. The board may direct the ethics subcommittee or a board member to investigate the
complaint. After completing the investigation, the ethics subcommittee or board member will
recommend whether the board should take disciplinary action against the licensee.
3. The board shall determine if there is a reasonable basis to believe the licensee engaged in
conduct identified as grounds for disciplinary action under North Dakota Century Code section
43-45-07.1. If the board determines there is not a reasonable basis to believe, the board will
notify the complainant and the licensee. If the board determines there is a reasonable basis to
believe, the board will proceed with a disciplinary action in accordance with North Dakota
Century Code chapter 28-32.
4. The board, at any time, may offer or accept a proposal for informal resolution of the complaint
or disciplinary action.
5. The board may impose a fee on the licensee for all or part of the costs of an action resulting in
discipline, including administrative costs, investigation costs, attorney's fees, witness fees, the
cost of the office of administrative hearings services, costs related to any requirements of
public notice of the discipline, and court costs.
History: Effective January 1, 2002; amended effective July 1, 2014; July 1, 2018.

General Authority: NDCC 43-45-04
Law Implemented: NDCC 43-45-04, 43-45-07.3
### § 4.5-02.1-05-04. Notification of action against license.

When the board revokes a license, the board shall provide a public notice of such action in order to
further the cause of consumer protection. Such public notice shall specify the name of the licensee,
action taken, and the violations. Public notice must include notification of the known licensee's
employers, and a news release issued to a regional newspaper chosen by the board.
History: Effective January 1, 2002; amended effective January 1, 2008.
General Authority: NDCC 43-45-04
Law Implemented: NDCC 43-45-04, 43-45-07.1
