How the AICP Code of Ethics is organized

Read the Code itself. This lesson summarizes the AICP Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct in our own words. The Code is short, it's tested directly, and its exact wording matters. Read the current Code on APA's website alongside this lesson, and read it through once more before exam day.

Learning objectives

• Describe how the AICP Code is organized, and explain the difference between aspirational principles and enforceable Rules of Conduct.
• Summarize the three groups of aspirational principles: responsibility to the public, to clients and employers, and to the profession and colleagues.
• Explain how members get ethics advice: informal advice and formal advisory opinions.
• Describe how a charge of misconduct is filed, investigated, and resolved, and the sanctions available.
• Recognize which part of the Code an exam question is really asking about.

Key concepts

Who the Code applies to

The Code applies to AICP members, meaning certified planners, and in some provisions to candidates in AICP's programs. APA has a separate, broader ethical statement for all members. On the exam, "the Code" means the AICP Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.

6 more sections follow in the full lesson.

Key terms

• AICP Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct: The ethics code that applies to certified planners.
• Aspirational principles: The Code's ideals, which aren't by themselves enforceable.
• Rules of Conduct: The Code's enforceable standards.
• Public interest: The broad community good the Code places first among a planner's responsibilities.
• Independent professional judgment: A planner's own honest, competent assessment, not dictated by others' preferences.
• Ethics Officer: The AICP staff official who gives advice and administers charges.
• Informal advice: Quick, non-binding guidance from the Ethics Officer.
• Formal advisory opinion: A written opinion on whether a proposed action complies with the Code.
• Charge of misconduct: A formal allegation that a member violated the Rules of Conduct.
• Sanctions: Penalties for proven violations, such as reprimand, suspension, or expulsion.