Sec. 31.2. Complaints and investigations

(a) Any person or organization who has reasonable cause to believe that a person has violated any provision of section 6512 or 6513 of the Education Law may file a written complaint, on a form prescribed by the commissioner, with the Professional Conduct Officer, New York State Education Department, 475 Park Avenue South, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10016 or to any regional office of the Office of Professional Discipline. The complaint shall describe, with particularity, the alleged unauthorized practice and/or unauthorized use of a professional title, including the date or dates on which an alleged violation occurred. Such complaint shall be sufficiently clear to advise the department of the nature of the specific act or acts complained of.

(b) When appropriate, the department shall investigate the complaint. The department may also commence an investigation, without having received a complaint, based on information indicating that a violation of section 6512 or 6513 of the Education Law may have occurred. The results of such investigation shall be referred to the professional conduct officer, or his or her designee. After consultation with a professional member or members of the applicable State board for the profession, the professional conduct officer, or his or her designee, shall determine whether there is substantial evidence of unauthorized practice of a profession or unauthorized use of a professional title and whether further action pursuant to section 6516 of the Education Law is warranted.