Why does the credential application require me to disclose criminal and lesser offenses, disciplinary matters, etc.?

Credentialing through CCE represents to clients or members of the public that, among other things, a credential holder has met the criteria outlined in the application and that the credential holder’s conduct is consistent with the respective codes of ethics and CCE policies and agreements. The ethics officer reviews all application disclosures on a case-by-case basis to determine whether an applicant or certificant has acted in accordance with CCE policies and agreements.

What happens when I include an ethics disclosure with my credentialing application?

When the CCE receives an application that includes an ethics disclosure, CCE Credentialing Services forwards the application to the CCE Ethics Office. The ethics officer reviews each disclosure and informs the applicant in writing if any additional information is necessary. The ethics officer issues a written decision to the applicant. When an ethics disclosure matter is satisfactorily resolved in all respects, the application is returned to CCE Credentialing Services where staff members review the application to ensure that all other eligibility requirements have been met. CCE Credentialing Services informs the applicant if any other information is needed for the application to continue to be reviewed.

I noticed that the application requires the submission of final disposition documentation with regard to ethics disclosures. What does this documentation look like?

Depending on the type of matter and location, final disposition documentation may be titled differently. Examples of final court disposition documentation are provided below for general reference. Please note that if the disclosed matter relates to a professional disciplinary or state board complaint the documentation will be different.

Overall, the final disposition documentation should be issued by a judge or similar authority; thus, it will contain an authorizing signature. It should identify the charge(s), outcome and sanctions/requirements. If the sanctions/requirements have been satisfied, the applicant or credential holder should also provide documentation showing completion. In some cases, the applicant or credential holder may need to provide multiple documents so that CCE receives all of the necessary information to conduct a review.

Judgement and Sentence Document
Order of Probation
Criminal Complaint Form I
Criminal Complaint Form II

What is a code of ethics? How is a code of ethics different from a licensure law?

A code of ethics is a set of rules that identify minimal standards of conduct. Generally speaking, these documents are created by members of the profession and adopted by regulatory bodies, such as credentialing organizations (e.g., CCE), state licensure boards and professional membership organizations. All CCE credential holders and applicants are required to abide by the respective CCE code of ethics. Not only do these codes guide decision making, they also provide an assurance for the ethical practice for all persons who use the services of CCE credential holders and applicants. The CCE Ethics Office is responsible for overseeing the process of reviewing charges of violations of CCE policies and agreements.

Licensure laws are created by legislators or elected officials and adopted by governmental bodies. The primary purpose of state licensure laws is to protect the public. This is done, in part, by legally defining who can use a particular title or who can provide certain services in a particular state. Laws are enforced by agents of government, such as state boards. State licensure boards are established by, and administered in accordance with, applicable legal requirements. All CCE codes of ethics are available to anyone free of charge. They may be downloaded from the menu at right. You may also request hard copies by submitting a request to cce@cce-global.org or by calling 336-482-2856.

What happens if a complaint is filed against me as a CCE credential holder or applicant?

The ethics officer reviews ethics-related matters to determine if certificants or applicants have acted in accordance with the respective code of ethics. To do this, the ethics officer adheres to the procedures identified in the CCE Ethics Case Procedures. These procedures also specify the disciplinary actions that CCE may impose with respect to a determination that a credential holder or applicant has violated the respective code of ethics. A copy of the Ethics Case Procedures is available free of charge from the menu at right.

What offenses would make me ineligible for credentialing?

CCE does not identify certain offenses for which an applicant would be ineligible for credentialing. Rather, the ethics officer reviews each matter on a case-by-case basis to determine whether the behavior is contrary to CCE policies and agreements, including the code of ethics.

If I am an applicant, can the review of my application be completed before the review of my ethics disclosure is completed?

No. All ethics matters must be satisfactorily resolved in all respects before an application review can be resumed.