Certification Ethics

Certification Ethics

Ethics and requirements for certification

Ethics is the foundation of any certification program and reinforces the principles set forth during the certification process. Starting January 1, 2021, all new certification applicants and certification renewal applicants are required to meet the new ethics requirement passed by AMPP (some legacy credentials exempted).

Two ways to meet the requirement:
  1. Complete the AMPP Ethics for the Corrosion Professional Course
  2. Submit a 3rd party equivalent training program
What’s needed for an equivalent program?

Equivalent training must cover at least 3 of the 5 topics listed below. Proof of completion will need to be submitted as part of the new or renewal application process.

  • Types of unethical behavior commonly encountered in the corrosion field
  • Factors that may lead to unethical decision making in the field of corrosion
  • Ethical decision-making best practices or processes
  • Impacts of unethical decisions or unethical behavior
  • How to report unethical behavior

For questions related to course equivalency, please see our FAQ document and a step-by-step guide for submitting 3rd party training. Contact ethicsquestions@ampp.org with additional questions – for general ethics questions, see our Ethics FAQ section.

Purchase Ethics Course Approved Equivalent Programs

If you purchase the AMPP course, go to your AMPP profile after purchase and select “Online Courses” to complete the Course.

Understanding your Certification Ethics

How to enroll in the AMPP course and complete the requirement

  1. Add course to your cart
  2. Login to your AMPP profile and go through the checkout process
  3. Go to your AMPP profile page, click ‘Online Courses’
  4. Complete course (Once completed, course will automatically be added to your My Certification Portal*)

*Please note it may take up to 24-48 hours to be reflected in My Certification Portal after completion.

Hear from members on the benefits of ethics training

Understanding your certification ethics responsibilities

When you follow the rules of ethics associated with your certification, you show your dedication to the integrity of the program. This helps maintain the customer’s confidence in the services and ensures the continued quality of the program.

What are some of the principles you should follow as a certification holder?

  • Keep confidential any questions that appear on your certification exam
  • Give first consideration in your corrosion control work to public safety, welfare, and protection of the environment
  • Apply yourself with diligence and responsibility to the corrosion control work that lies within your area of competence
  • Pursue your work with fairness, honesty, integrity, and courtesy, ever mindful of the best interest of the public, your employer and your fellow workers
  • Represent yourself to be proficient only in areas of corrosion work in which you are qualified by knowledge and experience
  • Avoid and discourage untrue, sensational, exaggerated, and/or unwarranted statements regarding your work in oral presentation, written text, and/or advertising media
  • Inform clients or employers of any conflicts of interest that might influence your judgment

Ethics frequently asked questions

What are some examples of ethics violations?

  • Claiming to be certified when you are not
  • Advertising yourself to be certified at a higher level than you actually are
  • Having a conflict of interest on the job and failing to report it
  • Disclosing any exam questions or exam content to another individual

How could an ethics violation affect my career?

  • Potential loss of job
  • Your employer's project could be put in jeopardy
  • You could be putting your coworkers at risk
  • Your customers lose faith in the quality of your products and services
  • Your reputation could be tarnished, which will affect future career endeavors

What are the implications of getting caught not following the rules of ethics?

If a complaint is filed against a certification holder, an investigation is opened through the AMPP Policy and Practices Committee. The Committee reviews the case and asks for a response from the person being complained against.

If the person with the complaint filed against them is found to be “guilty” of violating AMPP ethics, the Committee is then able to act upon disciplinary actions, which may include revoking an active certification, up to banning the person from holding any certifications in the future.

Why does AMPP care about ethics?

  • Ethics violations hurt the integrity of the program, the industry, and customer perception
  • Lack of ethics by certification holders decreases the value of your certification and can impact people’s lives, the environment, and customer ROI

How can you file a complaint against someone in violation of the ethics rules?

Visit the Ethics and Professional Practice page, which contains links to the appropriate forms to file a complaint.

As an employer, how can you check to ensure your employees are actively certified?

Visit Find a Certified Professional to validate an active certification.

What must an equivalent training program cover?

Equivalent training must cover at least 3 of the 5 topics listed below. Proof of completion will need to be submitted as part of the new or renewal application process.

  • Types of unethical behavior commonly encountered in the corrosion field
  • Factors that may lead to unethical decision making in the field of corrosion
  • Ethical decision-making best practices or processes
  • Impacts of unethical decisions or unethical behavior
  • How to report unethical behavior