What type of conduct could put a registrant at risk of disciplinary action?

Unprofessional relationships with clients raise significant ethical concerns and can lead to disciplinary action against a registrant. Such conduct undermines the trust that is essential in professional-client relationships and can involve boundary violations, conflicts of interest, or situations where a client may feel exploited. Maintaining professional boundaries is critical in ensuring that the relationship remains focused on the clients' best interests and does not become compromised due to personal feelings or relationships.

While other factors, such as personal financial issues or substance abuse, can indeed impact a registrant's professional conduct, the focus on the potential to harm the client or the integrity of the profession makes unprofessional relationships particularly serious. Disciplinary boards prioritize the protection of clients and the public, which places unprofessional relationships at a higher risk of action compared to conduct that might not directly affect the client’s well-being or the perception of professionalism. Therefore, the correct identification of unprofessional relationships highlights the crucial nature of maintaining professional ethics in practice.