Code of Ethics

All individuals certified under the International Certified Crop Adviser (ICCA) program must subscribe to the CCA Code of Ethics. The ICCA Standards & Ethics Committee periodically reviews the current Code of Ethics.

Article I. Preamble

1. The privilege of professional practice imposes obligations of responsibility as well as professional knowledge. The ICCA program certifies the credentials of individuals through state/provincial certification boards.
2. When using the CCA designation, a CCA shall use professional conduct in all communications relating to this vocation including but not limited to emails, blogs, and social media.
3. The ICCA program will award the title of Certified to individuals who meet the experience, testing requirements and the continuing education requirements of the ICCA program. The ICCA program does not require college level education. A college education will substitute for part of the ICCA work experience requirement as provided for in the ICCA guidelines.
4. Certified Crop Advisers (hereafter called CCAs), at the request of a client or employer, must disclose the information used to gain certification. CCAs who knowingly misrepresent their credentials will face disciplinary action.

Article II. Relation of Professional to the Public

1. A CCA shall avoid and discourage sensational, exaggerated, or unwarranted statements that might induce participation in unsound enterprises.
2. A CCA shall not give professional opinion, or make a recommendation, without being as thoroughly informed as might reasonably be expected considering the purpose for which the opinion or recommendation is desired; and the degree of completeness of information upon which it is based should be clear.
3. A CCA shall not issue a false statement or false information even if directed to do so by employer or client.

Article III. Relation of Professional to Employer and Client

1. A CCA shall protect, to the fullest extent possible, the interest of the employer or client insofar as such interest is consistent with the law and professional obligations and ethics.
2. A CCA who finds that obligations to the employer or client conflict with their professional obligation or ethics should work to have such objectionable conditions corrected.
3. A CCA shall not use, directly or indirectly, employer or client’s information in any way that would violate their confidentiality.
4. A CCA shall not divulge information given in confidence.
5. A CCA retained by one client shall not accept without the client’s written consent, an engagement by another if the interests of the two are in any manner conflicting.
6. A CCA who has made an investigation for any employer or client shall not seek to profit economically from the information gained, unless written permission to do so is granted, or until it is clear that there can no longer be a conflict of interest with the original employer or client.
7. A CCA shall engage, or advise employer or client to engage and cooperate with other experts, specialists and government agency staff.
8. A CCA protects the interest of a client by recommending only products and services that are in the best interest of the client and public.
9. A CCA protects his/her credibility by disclosing to clients how he/she will be compensated for providing recommendations to the client.

Article IV. Relation of Professionals to Each Other

1. A CCA shall not falsely or maliciously attempt to injure the reputation of another.
2. A CCA shall freely give credit for work done by others, to whom the credit is due, and shall refrain from plagiarism of oral and written communications and shall not knowingly accept credit rightfully due another person.
3. A CCA shall not use the advantage of public employment (e.g. university, government) to compete unfairly with other certified professions.
4. A CCA shall endeavor to cooperate with others in the profession and encourage the ethical dissemination of technical knowledge.

Article V. Duty to the Profession

1. A CCA shall aid in exclusion from certification, those who have not followed this Code of Ethics or who do not have the required education and experience.
2. A CCA shall uphold this Code of Ethics by precept and example and encourage, by counsel and advice, other CCAs to do the same.
3. A CCA having positive knowledge of deviation from this Code by another CCA shall bring such deviation to the attention of the CCA’s Local Board.

Approved by
International CCA Board of Directors 07/97

Edited and approved by
ICCA Board of Directors 09/2016