No license or specialty certification shall be suspended or revoked until notice is served upon the licensed social worker or the licensed social work associate and a hearing is held before the Board. The notice shall be served by registered mail and shall state the time and place of the hearing and shall set forth the ground or grounds constituting the charges against the licensed social worker or licensed social work associate. The licensed social worker or licensed social work associate is entitled to be heard in his defense either in person or by counsel and may produce testimony and may testify in his own behalf. A record of the hearing shall be taken and preserved. The record shall contain the notice; all papers, documents and data filed in the proceedings and all statements of the Board pertinent thereto; the testimony and exhibits; and the findings of fact and orders of the Board in writing. The State of Oklahoma shall be a party in the prosecution of all such actions and hearings before the Board pertaining to the suspension or revocation of a license or specialty certification, and the Attorney General, or one of his assistants, is authorized and directed to appear in behalf thereof. The hearing may be adjourned from time to time. If the licensed social worker or the licensed social work associate fails or refuses to appear, the Board may proceed to hear and determine the charges in his absence. If the licensed social worker or licensed social work associate pleads guilty, or if upon hearing of the charges a majority of the Board finds them true, the Board may enter an order suspending or revoking the license or specialty certification.

Laws 1965, c. 140, § 17; Laws 1980, c. 124, § 15, eff. Oct. 1, 1980.