Current through March 20, 2024
Authority: IC
25-31.5-3-4
Affected: IC
25-31.5-3-4
Sec. 3.
An applicant must agree to and sign a code of professional
conduct to become registered. The code of professional conduct is adopted and
reads as follows:
"Article I. Preamble
The privilege of professional practice imposes obligations of
responsibility as well as professional knowledge. The Indiana Registry of Soil
Scientists certifies the credentials of individuals who have met certain
professional requirements and agree to this Code. The Registry was established
in 2001 by state law (IC 25-31.5) and is administered by a Board of
Registration for Soil Scientists appointed by the Governor of Indiana. Two (2)
levels of registration are recognized. Fully qualified individuals are called
Indiana Registered Professional Soil Scientists; those who meet all
requirements except experience are Indiana Registered Associate Soil
Scientists. Collectively, they are called Registered Soil Scientists.
Article II. Relation of Professional to the
Public
1. Registered Soil Scientists shall
hold paramount the health and welfare of the public and the protection of soil
and water quality.
2. Registered
Soil Scientists shall perform services only in the areas of their professional
competence.
3. Registered Soil
Scientists shall be objective and truthful in professional reports, statements,
and testimony.
4. Registered Soil
Scientists shall not issue false statements or provide false information even
though directed to do so by employer or client.
Article III. Relation of Professional to
Employer and Client
1. Registered Soil
Scientists, at the request of a client or employer, must disclose the
information used to gain registration. Registered Soil Scientists who knowingly
misrepresent their credentials will face disciplinary action.
2. A Registered Soil Scientist shall protect,
to the fullest extent possible, the interest of his/her employer or client
insofar as such interest is consistent with the law, the protection of public
health, and the protection of soil and water quality.
3. A Registered Soil Scientist who finds that
obligations to their employer or client conflict with their professional
obligation or ethics should work to have such objectionable conditions
corrected.
4. A Registered Soil
Scientist shall not use, directly or indirectly, an employer's or client's
information in any way that would violate the confidence of the employer or
client.
5. A Registered Soil
Scientist retained by one (1) client shall not accept, without the client's
written consent, an engagement by another if the interests of the two (2) are
in any manner conflicting.
6. A
Registered Soil Scientist 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 Registered Soil
Scientist shall not divulge information given in confidence.
8. A Registered Soil Scientist shall engage,
or advise employer or client to engage, and cooperate with other experts and
specialists including local, state, and federal officials.
9. A Registered Soil Scientist protects the
interests of a client by recommending only products and services that are in
the best interest of the client and public.
10. A Registered Soil Scientist 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 Registered Soil Scientist shall not
falsely or maliciously attempt to injure the reputation of another.
2. A Registered Soil Scientist 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 Registered Soil Scientist shall not use
the advantage of public employment (i.e., university, government) to compete
unfairly with other registered or certified professions.
4. A Registered Soil Scientist 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 Registered Soil Scientist shall aid in
exclusion from registration those who have not followed this Code of
Professional Conduct or who do not have the required education and
experience.
2. A Registered Soil
Scientist shall uphold this Code of Professional Conduct by precept and example
and encourage, by counsel and advice, other Registered Soil Scientists to do
the same.
3. A Registered Soil
Scientist having positive knowledge of deviation from this Code by another
Registered Soil Scientist shall bring such deviation to the attention of the
Board.".