Disclosing a client's identity to the public without consent is considered unprofessional conduct under which regulation?

• A. SPS 7
• B. HIPAA
• C. SPS 164
• D. Confidentiality Statute

Answer: (C)

Maintaining client confidentiality is a fundamental obligation for substance abuse counselors. In Wisconsin, the rules that define professional conduct and how client information can be shared are outlined in SPS 164. That regulation specifies that identifying information about a client must be kept confidential and may only be disclosed with informed consent or under limited, legally justified exceptions. Disclosing a client’s identity to the public without consent directly violates those confidentiality provisions and is categorized as unprofessional conduct under SPS 164. While HIPAA regulates privacy on a federal level, the question targets the Wisconsin regulation that governs counselor conduct, which is SPS 164.