AICI Code of Ethics

AICI Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct - As amended & restated October 11, 2005.

Code of Ethics
Members of AICI shall:

• Act with integrity, competence, dignity, and in an ethical manner when dealing with the public, clients, prospects, employees and fellow members.
• Practice and encourage others to practice in a professional and ethical manner that will reflect credit on members and their profession.
• Strive to maintain and improve their competence and the competence of others in the profession.
• Use reasonable care and exercise independent professional judgment.

Standards of Professional Conduct
STANDARD I: FUNDAMENTAL RESPONSIBILITES

Members shall:

A. Maintain knowledge of and comply with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations of any government, governmental agency, regulatory organization, licensing agency, or professional association governing the members’ professional activities.


B. Not knowingly participate or assist in any violation of such laws, rules, or regulations


C. Not undertake any professional responsibilities unless, by training and experience, the member is competent to adequately perform the work required.


D. Accurately represent qualifications, education, experience and affiliations in all forms of personal and professional communication as prescribed in AICI’s Bylaws.

STANDARD II: RELATIONSHIP WITH AND RESPONSIBILITES TO THE CLIENT
Members shall:

A. Clearly define, verbally or in writing, the scope and nature of the project or services to be performed and all fees or costs involved in the project or services from conception to completion.

B. Inform clients and prospective clients of any special relationship or circumstances that could be considered a conflict of interest.

C. Hold client information in confidence, except as compelled by law.

STANDARD III: RELATIONSHIP WITH AND RESPONSIBILITES TO THE PROFESSION AND THE ASSOCIATION
Members shall:

A. Hold inviolate any confidential information entrusted to me as an officer or representative of the Association.

B. Not engage in professional misconduct.

1. Members shall not engage in any professional conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation or commit any act that reflects adversely on their honesty, trustworthiness, or professional competence.


2. Members shall not engage in any conduct or commit any act that compromises the integrity of any AICI designation or the integrity or validity of the examination or certification applications leading to the right to use an AICI designation.


3. Members shall conduct themselves in the performance of their professional duties and in their performance among professional peers in a manner that supports the Mission, Vision and purpose of AICI and positively reflects the profession of image consulting.

C. Maintain a professional appearance inclusive of effective and proper hygiene, grooming and neatness in a manner that reflects positively on the Association and the profession.

D. Continue professional development by upgrading skills, knowledge and competence in the various disciplines of the image profession as related to my business. AICI encourages participation in certification programs including the First Level Certification (AICI), the Certified Image Professional (CIP), and Certified Image Master (CIM), and fulfillment of continuing education units (CEU) as stipulated for each certification level.

E. Contribute to building professional relationships between image consultants, the public, related industries and other professional disciplines, reinforcing the Mission and Vision of AICI.

F. Not knowingly endorse an individual who is unqualified with respect to education, training, and/or expertise, as per the established Bylaws and membership requirements of the Association.

G. Not discriminate against anyone based upon economic factors, race, creed, ethnic background, gender, age, physical condition or country of origin.

H. Not, without permission, use the printed or online AICI membership directory, mailing list and/or other materials for personal or professional gain.

I. Abide by proper use of professional designations.

1. AICI members may reference their membership only in a proper, dignified and judicious manner.
2. Members who have earned the right to use an AICI designation may use the marks “AICI,” or “CIP” or “CIM” and are encouraged to do so but only in a proper, dignified, and judicious manner. The use of the designation may be accompanied by an accurate explanation of the requirements that have been met to obtain the right to use the designation.
3. Members shall not use the “AICI”, “CIP” or “CIM” designation on any personal or professional marketing materials without fulfilling the requirements for each level of certification and maintaining the continuing education credits required for certification status.
4. Non-members shall not use the “AICI”, “CIP” or “CIM” designation on any personal or professional marketing materials without fulfilling the requirements of each level of certification and maintaining the continuing education credits required for certification status.
5. Members shall identify their membership and certification as prescribed by the AICI Bylaws.
   1. Non-certified members may, on the line directly below their name, identify themselves as “Associate Member of AICI.”
   2. Certified members and certified non-members may identify themselves as “Name, AICI,” or “Name, AICI, CIP” or “Name, AICI, CIM” depending on the certification achieved.

J. Prohibit against plagiarism.

1. Members shall not, without permission or giving appropriate credit, use materials, client lists, titles and/or thematic creations originated by others. Members will take credit only for work created by them or by those under their paid supervision.

K. Not make reference to the Association on any personal or professional marketing materials without maintaining the status as a paid member in good standing.

STANDARD IV: RELATIONSHIP WITH AND RESPONSIBILITES TO THE COLLEAGUES
Members shall:

A. Hold inviolate any confidential information entrusted to them by a colleague, except as compelled by law.

B. Not be a party to any agreement to unfairly and/or inappropriately limit another consultant's access to the marketplace.

D. Not, by word or deed, cause unjust injury to another consultant's reputation and/or business relationship(s).

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