Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct

Preamble

The ICONIC Board Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct establishes the ethical foundation for all credentialed holistic health practitioners. As a professional standards body — comparable to organizations like the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) or the Project Management Institute (PMI) — the ICONIC Board maintains these standards to protect the public, uphold professional integrity, and advance the holistic health profession.

Every practitioner who holds an IBC-HHA™, IBC-HHP™, IBC-HHE™, or IBC-HHM™ credential is bound by this Code. Adherence is a condition of credential issuance, maintenance, and renewal.

Core Ethical Principles

2.1 Client Welfare & Safety

The welfare, health, and safety of clients is the primary obligation of every credentialed practitioner. Practitioners must:

• Practice within their scope of training and demonstrated competence
• Provide accurate representations of qualifications and services offered
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times
• Refer clients to other qualified professionals when needs exceed their scope

2.2 Professional Integrity

Practitioners must be truthful in all professional representations. This principle requires:

• No false, misleading, or exaggerated claims about the effectiveness of services
• Credential designations must accurately reflect the tier held
• Marketing materials must not imply guarantees of outcomes
• Honest representation of experience, education, and areas of expertise

2.3 Non-Discrimination

Practitioners shall serve all clients without discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, or other protected characteristics. Equal access to professional services is a cornerstone of ethical holistic health practice.

2.4 Confidentiality

Practitioners must protect client information and communications in accordance with applicable law. Confidentiality survives the termination of the client relationship. Exceptions to confidentiality are limited to:

• Mandated reporting obligations (e.g., suspected abuse or neglect)
• Situations involving imminent danger to the client or others
• Written informed consent from the client
• Valid court order or legal subpoena

2.5 Professional Competence

Practitioners have a duty to maintain competence through continuing education, practice only within areas of demonstrated competence, and stay current with developments in their field. Competence is not a static achievement but an ongoing professional responsibility.

Scope of Practice

Practitioners must understand and operate within their scope of practice as defined by their credential tier and applicable law.

Within Scope

• Wellness education and coaching
• Application of credentialed modalities
• General health information sharing
• Professional referrals to qualified practitioners and licensed professionals

Outside Scope

• Medical diagnosis or treatment
• Prescribing medications or supplements as treatment
• Psychological therapy or counseling (unless separately licensed)
• Claims of curing or treating disease

Professional Boundaries

Maintaining clear boundaries between professional and personal relationships is essential to ethical practice. Practitioners must observe the following standards:

• Romantic & sexual relationships: No romantic or sexual relationships with current clients. Former clients require a minimum waiting period and careful ethical consideration.
• Financial boundaries: Transparent pricing practices. No exploitative or unreasonable fees. Clear communication about costs before services are provided.
• Dual relationships: Disclose and actively manage conflicts of interest. Avoid dual relationships where the potential for exploitation exists.
• Power dynamics: Recognize and do not exploit the trust inherent in the practitioner-client relationship. The practitioner holds a position of trust that must never be abused.

Record Keeping & Documentation

Practitioners must maintain accurate, timely client records that support professional practice and protect both the practitioner and client. Documentation requirements include:

• Informed consent documentation, signed before services begin
• Session notes summarizing each client interaction
• Referral records, including the basis for referral and to whom
• Treatment or wellness plans, updated as appropriate

Records must be retained for a minimum of seven (7) years from the date of last service. All records must be protected with appropriate physical and digital security measures. Clients have the right to access their records upon request, in accordance with applicable law.

Professional Responsibility

Credentialed practitioners carry a responsibility to the profession as a whole. This includes:

• Cooperating fully with Board inquiries and investigations
• Reporting known violations by other credential holders
• Maintaining professional liability insurance (recommended)
• Accurate representation of Board affiliation and credential status
• Conducting oneself in any professional or public context in a manner that reflects positively on the profession and the Board

Digital & Online Practice

All ethical standards in this Code extend fully to telehealth, virtual sessions, and online presence. When practicing in digital environments, practitioners must additionally:

• Verify client identity and location before providing services
• Maintain the same confidentiality standards in online settings as in person
• Exercise professional judgment on social media — maintain professional boundaries and never post client-identifying information
• Ensure that online testimonials are genuine and were not solicited under duress or undue influence

Practitioners offering services across jurisdictions are responsible for understanding and complying with the laws and regulations of each jurisdiction where their clients are located.

Continuing Education Ethics

The integrity of the continuing education (CE) system depends on honesty from all participants. Practitioners must ensure that:

• CE activities represent genuine professional development
• No falsification of CE records or certificates occurs
• All CE hours are reported honestly and accurately
• Conflicts of interest in CE provision are disclosed (e.g., financial relationships with CE providers)

Reporting Obligations

Credential holders have mandatory and voluntary reporting obligations that serve to protect both the public and the profession:

• Mandatory reporting: Suspected child or elder abuse must be reported in accordance with applicable law
• Credential fraud: Known credential fraud by other holders must be reported to the Board
• Self-reporting: Credential holders must self-report criminal charges, malpractice claims, and disciplinary actions taken by other professional bodies

Reports can be submitted through the Board's formal complaint process. All reports are handled with appropriate confidentiality, and reporters acting in good faith are protected from retaliation.

Enforcement & Sanctions

Violations of this Code of Ethics are investigated in accordance with the Board's Disciplinary Procedures. The range of possible sanctions includes:

• Private education and remediation
• Formal written reprimand
• Mandatory additional continuing education
• Credential suspension for a defined period
• Credential revocation

Due process protections are maintained throughout all investigations. Credential holders subject to sanctions have the right to appeal per the Board's Grievance & Appeals procedures.

Amendments

The Board reserves the right to amend this Code of Ethics with sixty (60) days advance written notice to credential holders. Amendments will be published on the Board website and communicated via email to all active credential holders.

Credential holders are responsible for reviewing updates and maintaining current knowledge of the Code. Continued use of an ICONIC Board credential following the effective date of any amendment constitutes acceptance of the updated Code.

For questions or concerns regarding this Code, contact the Board at ethics@iconicboard.health or visit our support page.