ISA Code of Ethics and Agreement and Release Authorization

The International Society of Arboriculture, Inc. (ISA) is a voluntary, non-profit, professional association. ISA certifies qualified practitioners in the field of arboriculture, who have met the professional knowledge standards established  by ISA. Regardless of any other professional affiliation, this ISA Code of Ethics  applies to those individuals seeking ISA certification (candidates), and all  individuals certified by the ISA as (credential holders). The ISA Code of Ethics  establishes appropriate and enforceable professional conduct standards, and explains the minimal ethical behavior requirements for credential holders and  candidates. The ISA Code of Ethics also serves as a professional resource for arborists, as well as for those served by credential holders and candidates, with  respect to such standards and requirements.

I. Responsibilities to ISA, the profession and the public.

A. Compliance with all organizational rules, policies and legal requirements. Credential Holders and candidates must:

1. Comply with all applicable laws, regulations, policies and ethical standards governing professional practice of arboriculture.
2. Comply with all accepted professional standards related to arboriculture practice, including national practice standards and policies.
3. Provide accurate, complete, and truthful representations concerning all certification and renewal information.
4. Maintain the security of ISA examination information and materials, including the prevention of unauthorized disclosures of test information.
5. Cooperate with ISA concerning ethics matters and the collection of information related to an ethics matter.
6. Report to ISA, in a timely manner, their personal conduct that may violate any provision of the ISA Code of Ethics or the Ethics Case Procedures.
7. Refrain from behavior or conduct that is clearly in violation of professional, ethical, or legal standards related to occupational services and/or activities.

II. Responsibilities to clients, employers, employees, and the public.

A. Responsibilities concerning the performance of professional services.
Credential holders and candidates must:

1. Deliver safe and competent services with objective and  independent professional judgment in decision-making.
2. Recognize the limitations of their professional ability and provide  services only when qualified. The credential holder/candidate is  responsible for determining the limits of his/her own professional  abilities based on qualifications, education, knowledge, skills,  practice experience, and other relevant considerations.
3. Make a reasonable effort to provide appropriate professional  referrals when unable to provide competent professional assistance.
4. Maintain and respect the confidentiality of sensitive information obtained in the course of professional activities unless: the  information is reasonably understood to pertain to unlawful  activity;
   a court or governmental agency lawfully directs the release of the information; the client or the employer expressly authorizes the release of specific information; or, the failure to release such information would likely result in death or serious physical harm  to employees and/or the public.
5. Properly use professional credentials, and provide truthful and accurate representations concerning education, experience, competency and the performance of services.
6. Provide truthful and accurate representations to the public in advertising, public statements, and other representations, and in the preparation of estimates concerning costs, services and expected results.
7. Recognize and respect the intellectual property rights of others and act in an accurate, complete, and truthful manner, including activities related to professional work and research.

B. Responsibilities concerning conflicts of interest and appearances of impropriety. Credential holder and candidates must:

1. Disclose to clients or employers significant circumstances that could be construed as a potential or real conflict of interest or an appearance of impropriety.
2. Avoid conduct that could cause a conflict of interest with a client, employer, employee, or the public.
3. Assure that a conflict of interest does not compromise legitimate interests of a client, employer, employee, or the public and does not influence or interfere with professional judgments.
4. Refrain from offering or accepting significant payments, gifts or other forms of compensation or benefits in order to secure work or that are intended to influence professional judgment.

C. Responsibilities concerning public health and safety. Credential holders and
candidates must:

1. Follow appropriate health and safety procedures, in the course of performing professional activities, to protect clients, employers, employees, and the public  from conditions where injury and/or other harm are reasonably foreseeable.
2. Inform appropriate government representatives or agencies when aware of an activity or circumstance that may cause an unsafe condition or violate legal requirements.

As a candidate or certified professional :

1. I acknowledge that I have read and understand all terms and conditions of ISA Certification, as defined in the ISA Arborist Certification Program Candidate Guide and ISA Certification Program Policies.
2. I understand that the ISA Certification Program is separate and distinct from all other ISA programs and services. ISA certification is different from ISA membership. Unless I am also an ISA member, I may not use the trademarks and logos of ISA members.
3. I agree to provide the ISA Certification Program with complete and accurate information regarding my application and certification, including any change of residential or business address, telephone number or e-mail address, within sixty (60) days of such change.
4. I agree that the ISA Certification Department may contact any person or organization in connection with the verification of my initial application. I authorize the disclosure of any information required by ISA for the purpose of verifying my application. I agree that the ISA may notify the relevant organizations if my application contains incorrect information.
5. I understand that maintenance of my ISA certification is based on compliance with all certification and recertification requirements, including compliance with the ISA Code of Ethics for Certified Arborists and the Ethics Procedures.
6. I agree to report to the ISA Certification Department within sixty (60) days of any action by me which may violate any clause of the Code of Ethics for Certified Arborists. This type of reporting applies to behaviors or activities that took place on or after the date I applied for ISA certification. (NOTE: Any action to be reported under these terms must be noted on a separate sheet of paper and submitted with this agreement).
7. I understand that the certification granted by ISA does not represent a license, registration, or any other authorization to practice or conduct business for a fee or otherwise.
8. I agree to indemnify and hold harmless ISA and its agents, employees, representatives and successors from and against any and all third party claims, suits, complaints, losses or liabilities (claims) (including attorneys' fees) arising out of or relating to: my ISA certification; my use or display of ISA certification program accreditations or designations or references to the ISA certification program; my professional activities and services; or my other business activities.
9. I understand that ISA certification is personal and cannot be transferred or assigned to any person, organization or entity other than myself. With respect to my use and display of the ISA certification trademarks in connection with professional business activities, I agree to comply with all applicable ISA policies, including the ISA Certification Program Policy and Procedural Call No. 0016 and any future amendments thereto.
10. Once I am certified by the ISA, I understand that the ISA may receive requests from individuals or organizations to verify my certification, including the dates of certification, and I agree that this information may be disclosed.
11. I agree that, at my request, ISA may publish certain professional information about me on the ISA website, including my employer and company contact information. I further agree that the information on my application for ISA certification may be used for research and statistical purposes.
12. If my ISA certification expires, is suspended or is revoked, I agree to immediately cease using and displaying the ISA Certified Arborist certification trademark, its references and any other designation indicating affiliation with ISA certification. I agree to abide by any additional guidelines of the ISA Certification Program.