Penalty for fraudulent activity.

• A. criminal prosecution
• B. license suspension only
• C. public apology and education course
• D. administrative fine of $1,000 to $2,500 and a 30-day suspension to revocation (for first offenses) or $2,500 to $5,000 fine and 6 months suspension to revocation (for subsequent offenses)

Answer: (D)

Fraudulent activity by a licensee is handled with penalties that combine money and license discipline, not just criminal charges or a simple admonition. The idea is to deter misconduct and protect the public by making consequences clear and appropriate to the severity and repetition of the offense. The first offense carries an administrative fine in the range of $1,000 to $2,500 plus a suspension from 30 days up to revocation, signaling that fraud is a serious violation. If the behavior repeats, the penalties escalate to a fine of $2,500 to $5,000 and a suspension from six months up to revocation, reinforcing the increased accountability for repeated wrongdoing. Public apologies or education alone aren’t sufficient responses to fraud, and a suspension by itself doesn’t address the financial penalties or the potential loss of licensure that the regulator uses to enforce standards.