Governance · Ethics Committee

Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct

Ethical standing is earned in the daily practice of teaching, leadership, assessment, and institutional stewardship. This Code sets the conduct expected of IPMA members, accredited entities, faculty, and assessors.

The Ethics Committee administers this framework independently from marketing and admissions decisions. Its task is to protect learners, clients, the public, and the integrity of the profession through a process that is fair to every person involved.

A concern is not a finding. Reports are assessed carefully, confidentially, and with an opportunity for an affected member or entity to respond.

Dedicated editorial photograph for Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct

Professional obligations

All accredited entities and credentialed professionals must act within their competence, maintain honest representations of training and status, respect client autonomy, and provide an environment free from discrimination, harassment, exploitation, or avoidable risk.

Teach and assess only within documented training, competence, and legal scope.
Use accurate titles, credential descriptions, and programme-hour claims.
Protect confidential learner, client, health, and assessment information.
Declare conflicts of interest in admissions, assessment, procurement, and governance.
Do not exploit a position of trust for financial, sexual, or personal advantage.
Maintain safe equipment, including professional reformer machines and supermodel machines, and stop a session where safety cannot be assured.

Filing a professional-misconduct report

A report may be submitted by a learner, client, educator, employer, accredited entity, or authorised representative. It should be sent to the Secretariat with the reporter’s contact details, the individual or entity involved, a factual chronology, relevant dates, and any available supporting materials.

Urgent safety concerns should first be directed to appropriate local emergency, safeguarding, or regulatory services. IPMA does not replace those authorities.

Acknowledgement: the Secretariat confirms receipt and explains confidentiality limits.
Jurisdiction screen: the Ethics Chair determines whether the matter falls within IPMA’s remit.
Preliminary review: available information is assessed for credibility, seriousness, and immediate risk.
Notice and response: the respondent receives a clear summary and a reasonable opportunity to respond.

Review, decision, and standing

When a formal review is opened, an impartial panel examines the record, may request further information, and considers proportional outcomes. Possible outcomes include no action, guidance, corrective education, conditions on accreditation, suspension, withdrawal of accreditation, or referral to another authority.

A written determination records the rationale, any corrective requirements, review dates, and appeal instructions. Where a decision changes an accredited entity’s or credentialed member’s standing, the official registry is updated only after the applicable review period has concluded.

1. Appoint reviewers with no conflict of interest.
2. Gather records and invite written evidence from both sides.
3. Evaluate conduct against this Code and the applicable programme standard.
4. Issue a reasoned decision with conditions and deadlines where required.
5. Monitor completion, restore standing only when requirements are met, and record the final outcome.