Md. Code Regs. 09.29.01.04

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 21, October 18, 2024

Section 09.29.01.04 - Code of Professional Conduct

A. A licensee shall advocate and practice forest management consistent with ecologically sound principles.

B. Knowledge and Skills. A licensee shall:

(1) Use knowledge and skills for the benefit of the public.

(2) Strive for accurate, current, and increasing knowledge of forestry.

(3) Communicate knowledge, when it is not confidential, and challenge and correct untrue statements about forestry.

C. Advertisements. A licensee:

(1) Shall advertise only in a dignified and truthful manner.

(2) Shall state services the licensee is qualified and prepared to perform.

(3) May include references to fees charged.

D. Public Comment. A licensee:

(1) Shall make public comment on forestry matters based upon accurate knowledge.

(2) May not distort or withhold pertinent information to substantiate a point of view.

(3) Shall indicate on whose behalf statements are made before commenting on forest policies and practices.

E. Services. A licensee:

(1) Shall perform services consistent with the highest standards of quality;

(2) Shall perform only those services for which the licensee is qualified by education or experience, or both;

(3) May not accept compensation or expenses from more than one employer for the same service unless the parties involved are informed and consent;

(4) Shall engage, or advise the licensee's employer to engage, other experts and specialists in forestry or related fields if the employer's interest would be best served by this action;

(5) Shall work cooperatively with other professionals;

(6) Shall give credit for the methods, ideas, or assistance obtained from others; and

(7) In competition for supplying forestry services, shall encourage the prospective employer to base selection on comparison of qualifications and negotiation of fee or salary.

F. A licensee who is asked to participate in forestry operations which deviate from accepted professional standards shall advise the employer in advance of the consequences of this deviation.

G. A licensee may not voluntarily disclose information concerning the affairs of the licensee's employer without the employer's express permission.

H. A licensee shall avoid conflicts of interest or even the appearance of these conflicts. If, despite this precaution, a conflict of interest is discovered, the licensee shall promptly and fully disclose the conflict to the licensee's employer, and the licensee shall be prepared to act immediately to resolve the conflict.

I. A licensee may not, by false statements or dishonest action, injure the reputation or professional associations of another licensee.

J. Information submitted by a licensee about a candidate for a prospective position, award, or elected office shall be accurate, factual, and objective.

K. A licensee having evidence of a violation of Business Occupations and Professions Article, Title 7, Annotated Code of Maryland, or the regulations contained in this chapter, by another licensee shall present the information and complaints to the Board.

Md. Code Regs. 09.29.01.04

Regulations . 04 amended effective August 31, 1981 (8:17 Md. R. 1419); adopted effective 44:9 Md. R. 437, eff. 5/8/2017