Code of Professional Conduct

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.