24 Del. Admin. Code § 2700-13.0

Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 5, November 1, 2024

Section 2700-13.0 - Professional Conduct - Code of Ethics

13.1 Foreword.

13.1.1 Honesty, justice and courtesy form a moral philosophy which, associated with mutual interest among men and women, constitutes the foundation of ethics. The surveyor should recognize such a standard, not in a passive observance, but as a set of dynamic principles guiding the surveyor's conduct and way of life. It is the surveyor's duty to practice the surveyor's profession according to this Code of Ethics.

13.1.2 As the keystone of professional conduct is integrity, the surveyor will discharge their duties with fidelity to the public, their employers and clients, and with fairness and impartiality to all. It is the surveyor's duty to take interest in the public welfare, and to be ready to apply their special knowledge for the benefit of mankind. The surveyor should uphold the honor and dignity of the profession and avoid association with any enterprise of questionable character. In dealings with fellow surveyors, the surveyor should be fair and tolerant.

13.2 Professional Life.

13.2.1 The surveyor will cooperate in extending the effectiveness of the surveying profession by interchanging information and experience with other surveyors and students and by contributing to the work of surveying societies and associations, schools and the scientific and surveying press.

13.2.2 It shall be considered unprofessional and inconsistent with honorable and dignified bearing for any surveyor to advertise the surveyor's work in a false or deceptive manner that may mislead the public.

13.2.3 The surveyor will avoid all conduct or practice likely to discredit or do injury to the dignity and honor of the profession.

13.2.4 Because superior and distinct knowledge of surveying is essential to the profession, it is imperative for the surveyor to continue their education.

13.2.5 The surveyor shall not permit the use of their professional seal on any work over which the surveyor was not in responsible charge or direct supervision.

13.3 Relations With The Public.

13.3.1 The surveyor will try to extend public knowledge of surveying and will discourage the spreading of untrue, unfair and exaggerated statements regarding surveying.

13.3.2 The surveyor will have due regard for the safety of life and health of public and employees who may be affected by the work for which the surveyor is responsible.

13.3.3 The surveyor will express an opinion only when it is founded on adequate knowledge and honest conviction while the surveyor is serving as a witness before a court, commission or other tribunal.

13.4 Relations With Clients and Employers.

13.4.1 The surveyor will act in fairness and in a professional manner toward each client or employer and produce a quality survey regardless of price.

13.4.2 The surveyor will engage, or advise the surveyor's client or employer to engage, and the surveyor will cooperate with, other experts and specialists whenever the client's or employer's interests are best served by that service.

13.4.3 The surveyor will disclose no information concerning the business affairs or technical processes and data of clients or employers without the clients' or employers' consent.

13.4.4 The surveyor will not undertake work which the surveyor believes will not be successful without first advising the surveyor's client of the surveyor's opinion.

13.4.5 The surveyor will promptly disclose to the surveyor's client or employer any interest in a business which may compete with or affect the business of the surveyor's client or employer. The surveyor will not allow an interest in any business to affect the surveyor's decision regarding surveying work for which the surveyor is employed, or which the surveyor may be called upon to perform.

13.4.6 An employed surveyor will not solicit or accept other employment to the detriment of the surveyor's regular work or the interests of the surveyor's employer.

13.5 Relations With Surveyors.

13.5.1 The surveyor will see that those licensed to survey are properly qualified by character, ability and training and those who prove unworthy of their privileges are disciplined.

13.5.2 The surveyor will uphold the principle of appropriate and adequate compensation for those engaged in surveying work, including those in subordinate capacities, as being in the public interest and maintaining the standards of the profession.

13.5.3 The surveyor will try to provide opportunity for the professional development and advancement of surveyors in the surveyor's employ.

13.5.4 The surveyor will not directly or indirectly injure the professional reputation, prospects or practice of another surveyor. However, if the surveyor discovers an error or disagrees with the work of another surveyor, it is the duty of that surveyor to inform the other surveyor of the fact.

13.5.5 The surveyor will not review the work of another surveyor for the same client, except with the knowledge or consent of that surveyor or unless the connection of that surveyor with the work has ended.

13.5.6 The surveyor will not compete with another surveyor on the basis of charges by reducing the surveyor's normal fees after having been informed of the charges named by the other, or undertake any work at a price that will not permit a satisfactory professional performance. Any offer of professional service should be on the basis of the surveyor's regular fees.

13.5.7 The surveyor will not use the advantages of a salaried position (public or private) to compete unfairly with another surveyor, or use the advantages of instruments and office facilities (public or private) to compete with other surveyors without charging for the instruments and facilities at current rates.

13.5.8 The surveyor will not attempt to practice in any field of surveying in which the surveyor is not proficient. The surveyor should call in special consulting services to supplement the surveyor's own experience and that of the surveyor's organization on problems outside of their usual field.

24 Del. Admin. Code § 2700-13.0

11 DE Reg. 1664 (06/01/08)
27 DE Reg. 690 (3/1/2024) (Final)