Code of Ethics
(Adopted December 11, 1989)
PREAMBLE
Members of The American Institute of Professional Geologists are dedicated
to the highest standards of personal integrity and professional conduct.
The Institute's Code of Ethics comprises three parts: the Canons, which
are broad principles of conduct; the Ethical Standards, which are goals
to which Members aspire; and the Rules of Conduct. Compliance with the
Rules of Conduct is mandatory and violation of any Rule will be grounds
for disciplinary action by the Institute. Under the Bylaws, the Institute
may also impose discipline for legal violations and because of the suspension
or revocation of registration or licensure, among other grounds. Disciplinary
action may take the form of private admonition, public reprimand, suspension
of membership, or termination. The Code of Ethics applies to all professional
activities of Members and Affiliates, wherever and whenever they occur.
The title "Member" where used in this Code of Ethics shall include
Affiliates. A Member shall not be relieved of an ethical responsibility
by virtue of his or her employment, because the Member has delegated an
assignment to a subordinate, or because the Member was not involved in
performing services for compensation.
CANON 1. GENERAL OBLIGATIONS
Members should be guided by the highest standards of personal integrity
and professional conduct.
STANDARD 1.1
Members should pursue honesty, integrity, loyalty, fairness, impartiality,
candor, fidelity to trust, inviolability of confidence, and honorable
conduct as a way of life.
Rule 1.1.1 By applying for or by continuing membership
in the Institute, a Member agrees to comply with and up-
hold this Code of Ethics.
CANON 2. OBLIGATIONS TO THE PUBLIC
Members should uphold the public health, safety, and welfare in the performance
of professional services, and avoid even the appearance of impropriety.
STANDARD 2.1
Members should observe and comply with the requirements and intent of
all applicable laws, codes, and regulations.
Rule 2.1.1 A Member shall not knowingly participate in
any illegal activities, or knowingly permit the publication of his or
her reports, maps, or other documents for illegal purpose.
Rule 2.1.2 A Member shall neither offer nor make any
illegal payment, gift, or other valuable consideration to a public official
for the purpose of influencing a decision by such official; nor shall
a Member accept any payment, gift, or other valuable consideration which
would appear to influence a decision made on behalf of the public by the
Member acting in a position of public trust.
Rule 2.1.3 If a Member becomes aware of a decision or
action by an employer, client, or colleague which violates any law or
regulation, the Member shall advise against such action, and when such
violation appears to materially affect the public health, safety, or welfare,
shall advise the appropriate public officials responsible for the enforcement
of such law or regulation.
STANDARD 2.2
Members should be accurate, truthful, and candid in all communications
with the public.
Rule 2.2.1 A Member shall not knowingly engage in false
or deceptive advertising, or make false, misleading, or deceptive representations
or claims in
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regard to the profession of geology or which concern his or her own professional
qualifications or abilities or those of other geologists.
Rule 2.2.2 A Member shall not issue a false statement
or false information which the Member knows to be false or misleading,
even though directed to do so by an employer or client.
Rule 2.2.3 A Member shall avoid making sensational, exaggerated,
and or unwarranted statements that may mislead or deceive members of the
public or any public body.
STANDARD 2.3
Members should participate as citizens and as professionals in public
affairs.
Rule 2.3.1 A Member acting in a position of public trust
shall exercise his or her authority impartially, and shall not seek to
use his or her authority for personal profit or to secure any competitive
advantage.
STANDARD 2.4
Members should promote public awareness of the effects of geology and
geological processes on the quality of life.
CANON 3. OBLIGATIONS TO EMPLOYERS AND CLIENTS
Members should serve their employers and clients faithfully and competently
within their overall professional and ethical obligations.
STANDARD 3.1
Members should disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest
which may affect their ability to serve an employer or client faithfully.
Rule 3.1.1 A Member shall disclose to a prospective employer
or client the existence of any owned or controlled mineral or other interest
which may, either directly or indirectly, have a pertinent bearing on
such employment.
Rule 3.1.2 A Member having or expecting to have beneficial
interest in a property on which the Member reports shall state in the
report the fact of the existence of such interest or expected interest.
Rule 3.1.3 A Member employed or retained by one employer
or client shall not accept, without that employer's or client's written
consent, an engagement by another if the interests of the two are in any
manner conflicting.
Rule 3.1.4 A Member shall not accept referral fees from
any person to whom an employer or client is referred; however, nothing
herein shall prohibit a Member from being compensated by the employer
or client for consultation, or for other services actually performed.
Rule 3.1.5 A Member shall not offer or pay referral fees
to any person who refers an employer or client to the Member; however,
nothing herein shall prohibit a Member from compensating the person giving
the referral for consultation, or for other services actually performed.
STANDARD 3.2
Members should protect, to the fullest possible extent, the interest of
an employer or client so far as is consistent with the public health,
safety, and welfare and the Member's legal, professional, and ethical
obligations.
Rule 3.2.1 A Member shall not use, directly or indirectly,
any confidential information obtained from or in the course of performing
services for an employer or client in any way which is adverse or detrimental
to the interests of the employer or client, except with the prior consent
of the employer or client or when disclosure is required by law.
Rule 3.2.2 A Member who has made an investigation for
an employer or client shall not seek to profit economically from the information
gained without written permission of the employer or client, unless it
is clear that there can no longer be a conflict of interest with the original
employer or client.
Rule 3.2.3 A Member shall not use his or her employer's
or client's resources for private gain without the prior
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knowledge and consent of his or her employer or client
STANDARD 3.3
Members should serve their employers and clients competently.
Rule 3.3.1 A Member shall perform professional services
or issue professional advice which is only within the scope of the education
and experience of the Member and the Member's professional associates,
consultants, or employees, and shall advise the employer or client if
any professional advice is outside of the Member's personal expertise.
Rule 3.3.2 A Member shall not give a professional opinion
or submit a report without being as thoroughly informed as might be reasonably
expected, considering the purpose for which the opinion or report is requested,
Rule 3.3.3 A Member shall engage, or advise an employer
or client to engage, and cooperate with other experts and specialists
whenever the employer's or client's interests would be best served by
such service.
STANDARD 3.4
Members should serve their employers and clients diligently and perform
their services in a timely manner.
STANDARD 3.5
Members who find that obligations to an employer or client conflict with
professional or ethical standards should have such objectionable conditions
corrected or resign.
CANON 4. OBLIGATIONS TO PROFESSIONAL COLLEAGUES
Members should respect the rights, interests, and contributions of their
professional colleagues.
STANDARD 4.1
Members should respect and acknowledge the professional status and contributions
of their colleagues.
Rule 4.1.1 A Member shall give due credit for work done
by others in the course of a professional assignment, and shall not knowingly
accept credit due another.
Rule 4.1.2 A Member shall not plagiarize another in oral
and written communications, or use materials prepared by others without
appropriate attribution.
CANONS. OBLIGATIONS TO THE INSTITUTE AND THE PROFESSION
Members should continually strive to improve the profession of geology
so that it may be of ever increasing benefit to society.
STANDARD 5.1
Members should strive to improve their professional knowledge and skills.
STANDARD 5.2
Members should cooperate with others in the profession and encourage the
dissemination of geological knowledge.
STANDARD 5.3
Members should work toward the improvement of standards of geological
education, research, training, and practice.
STANDARD 5.4
Members should not only uphold these standards of ethics by precept and
example but also encourage by counsel and advice to other Members, their
adherence to such standards.
STANDARD 5.5
Members having knowledge of a violation of these Rules by another Member
should bring substantiated evidence of such violation to the attention
of the Institute.
