Overview — Formal Disciplinary Framework
The ICONIC Board Ethics & Standards Committee administers all disciplinary proceedings against credentialed practitioners. The process is designed to protect the public, maintain the integrity of ICONIC Board credentials, and ensure that practitioners subject to review receive a fair and impartial hearing. All proceedings are governed by the principles below and conducted in accordance with the Board's Disciplinary Procedures Policy.
Confidentiality
All reports, investigative materials, and proceedings are handled with strict confidentiality. Individual case details are never publicly disclosed. Only formal sanctions at Level 3 or above result in any notation to a practitioner's public credential record.
Procedural Fairness
Every practitioner subject to a formal complaint receives written notice of the allegation, a meaningful opportunity to respond, and the right to appeal any sanction at Level 3 or above. No determination is made without consideration of both parties' submissions.
Proportional Sanctions
Sanctions are calibrated to the severity of the violation, the practitioner's history, and the degree of harm or risk to the public. The Committee applies a six-level sanctions framework, ranging from private educational guidance to permanent revocation.
Investigation Process — Step by Step
Upon receipt of a formal complaint, the following sequence governs the Board's review. Timelines are targets; complex matters may require additional time, and both parties will be notified of any extensions.
Complaint Filed
A concern is submitted via the Board's online complaint form or in writing to the Ethics & Standards Committee. A unique reference number is assigned immediately upon receipt. If the reporter has provided contact information, an acknowledgement is sent within 5 business days confirming receipt.
Intake Review
The Ethics & Standards Committee conducts an initial jurisdictional assessment. The Committee evaluates whether the named practitioner holds or held an ICONIC Board credential, whether the alleged conduct falls within the scope of the Code of Ethics, and whether the complaint contains sufficient information to proceed. Complaints that do not meet threshold criteria are closed at this stage and the reporter is notified.
Within 10 business days of receiptNotice to Practitioner
If the complaint proceeds past intake, the subject practitioner is formally notified in writing. The notice includes a summary of the allegation (without disclosing the reporter's identity where anonymity has been requested), the specific Code of Ethics provisions at issue, and instructions for submitting a written response. The practitioner is given a full 30 days to respond in writing.
Practitioner has 30 days to respondInvestigation
The Committee conducts a thorough review of all available evidence, which may include written submissions from both parties, documentation, relevant records, and interviews with witnesses (conducted at the Committee's discretion). The practitioner's credential history and any prior disciplinary record are also reviewed. Both parties may be asked to provide supplemental information during this phase.
30–90 days from notice to practitionerPreliminary Findings
Upon completing its investigation, the Committee prepares a draft findings document summarizing the evidence considered, the Committee's preliminary conclusions, and any proposed sanctions. The draft is provided to both the reporter (if contactable) and the practitioner simultaneously, each given 14 days to submit written comments before the Committee issues its final determination.
14-day comment period for both partiesDetermination
After reviewing any comments received, the Ethics & Standards Committee issues its final written determination. The determination states the Committee's findings of fact, the ethical provisions violated (if any), the rationale for its conclusions, and the sanction imposed (if any). Both parties receive a copy of the determination simultaneously.
Sanctions (if applicable)
If the Committee finds a violation, it applies a sanction proportionate to the severity of the conduct, the practitioner's history, and the degree of harm or risk to the public. Sanctions range from a private Letter of Education to permanent revocation of the credential. The full Sanctions Framework is described in Section 3 below.
Appeals
Practitioners subject to a sanction at Level 3 (Public Reprimand) or above have the right to appeal the determination to an Independent Review Panel. Notice of appeal must be filed in writing within 30 days of receiving the final determination. The appeals procedure is described in full in Section 4 below.
30-day window to file notice of appealSanctions Framework
The ICONIC Board applies sanctions in proportion to the nature and severity of the violation. The six-level framework below governs all disciplinary outcomes. The Committee retains discretion to combine or escalate sanctions based on aggravating factors, including prior disciplinary history, failure to cooperate with the investigation, or conduct that posed a direct risk to client safety.
Appeals Procedure
Practitioners subject to a sanction at Level 3 (Public Reprimand) or above are entitled to appeal the determination to an Independent Review Panel. The appeals process is designed to provide a genuine second review, conducted by persons who had no involvement in the original determination.
Eligibility
Any practitioner who has received a final determination imposing a sanction at Level 3 or above may file an appeal. Appeals are not available for Level 1 or Level 2 sanctions. The right to appeal may be exercised once per proceeding.
Filing Deadline
A written notice of appeal must be submitted to the Ethics & Standards Committee within 30 calendar days of the date the final determination was received. Untimely appeals will not be considered absent extraordinary circumstances.
Independent Review Panel
Appeals are decided by a three-member Independent Review Panel drawn from the Board's pool of qualified reviewers. None of the three panelists may have participated in the original investigation or determination. The practitioner may request that the Panel include at least one practitioner in a related modality.
Process & Timeline
Upon receiving a timely appeal, the Panel reviews the full record, the practitioner's written appeal statement, and any response from the Ethics & Standards Committee. The Panel may, at its discretion, request additional written submissions or schedule a hearing. A written decision is issued within 60 days of the appeal hearing or record close.
Appeal Outcomes
The Independent Review Panel may issue one of the following outcomes. The Panel's decision is final and binding.
Transparency & Accountability
The ICONIC Board is committed to public accountability in its disciplinary function. The following measures ensure the integrity of the process is verifiable without compromising the privacy of individuals involved.
Annual Statistics
The Board publishes aggregate complaint and disciplinary statistics annually as part of its Annual Transparency Report. Statistics include total complaints received, outcomes by category, and average case duration. No individually identifying information is included.
Public Sanction Records
Formal sanctions at Level 3 (Public Reprimand) and above are reflected in the practitioner's public credential record, accessible via the Credential Lookup tool. Records of formal sanctions are also compiled in the Board's Public Records directory.
Individual Privacy
Individual complaint details — including the identity of reporters, the substance of allegations, and case-specific evidence — are never publicly disclosed. The confidentiality of all parties is protected throughout and after the proceedings.
Policy Review
The Disciplinary Procedures Policy is reviewed annually by the Governance Committee and any material revisions are published on the Board's website with a minimum 30-day notice to credentialed practitioners prior to taking effect.