2024
NCDA
Code of
Ethics
, Contents
NCDA Code of Ethics Preamble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
NCDA Code of Ethics Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Section A
The Professional Relationship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Section B
Confidentiality, Privileged Communication, and Privacy . . . . . . . . . . 7
Section C
Professional Responsibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Section D
Relationships with Other Professionals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Section E
Evaluation, Assessment, and Interpretation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Section F
Providing Career Services Online,Technology, and Social Media. . 17
Section G
Supervision, Training, and Teaching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Section H
Research and Publication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Section I
Resolving Ethical Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Glossary of Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
The NCDA Ethics Committee acknowledges the work of the American Counseling Association (ACA) and its Ethics Committee.
NCDA, one of the founding associations of ACA in 1952, is a current division of ACA. As with its last revision, the NCDA Ethics
Committee endeavored to follow the structure of ACA’s Code so that the two codes would be compatible with each other, while
developing, adding, and enhancing profession-specific guidelines for NCDA’s membership. More information on ACA’s Ethics Code
can be found on their website (see the attached web references section).
Nondiscrimination Statement
NCDA opposes discrimination against any individual based on age, culture, disability, ethnicity, race, religion/spirituality, creed,
gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, marital/partnership status, language preference, socioeconomic status, or
any other characteristics not specifically relevant to job performance.
, • NCDA Code of Ethics •
2024 NCDA Code of Ethics Preamble
Conquaya James and David Reile, Co-Chairs
Julia Panke Makela, NCDA Board Liaison
2022-2023 and 2023-2024 NCDA Ethics Professional Values & Principles
Committee Members Professional values are one way of demonstrating a
Sharon Anderson; Ron Cathey; Amanda Chenkin; Diane commitment to ethical behavior. Career development
Farrell; Dan Greenwood; Mary Guirovich; Conquaya James; professionals acknowledge the following professional
Gillian Johnston; Carolyn Jones; Manpreet Kaur; Jaana values:
Kettunen; Chris LaFever; Becca McCarthy; Michi Mizuno;
1. Enhancing career development throughout the lifespan;
Shundrika Morris; VL Muanpuii; Marie Nicks; Keith
Okrosy; Sarah Patterson-Mills; David Reile; Amy Policastro 2. Safeguarding the integrity of the professional working
Schroeder; Azra Karajic Siwiec; Angela Smith; Keley Smith- relationship;
Keller; Tanisha Stokes; Billie Streufert; Lisa Sweet; Stacy Van 3. Practicing in a competent and ethical manner;
Horn; Duke Wallin; James Westhoff.
4. Supporting the worth, dignity, potential, and uniqueness
The NCDA Ethics Committee gives special thanks to the of everyone; and
2022-2023 committee co-chairs, Azra Karajic Siwiec and
Sarah Patterson-Mills, for their leadership and initial work 5. Honoring diversity and promoting social justice.
on directing the update to the new code of ethics. 6. These professional values provide a conceptual basis for
the ethical principles outlined below. These principles are
Introduction the foundation for ethical behavior and decision-making.
A code of ethics helps to define professional behavior and The fundamental principles of professional ethical
serves to protect the public, the profession, and those who behavior include:
practice within the profession. Ethical behavior involves
incorporating the principles espoused in the code of ethics •
Autonomy, or fostering the right to control the
into your personal and professional life and using the code direction of one’s life;
to help determine a course of action. At the same time, • Nonmaleficence, or avoiding actions that cause harm;
ethical behavior is about transparency. Can your behavior
withstand the scrutiny of others? Will you be embarrassed, •
Beneficence, or working for the good of the
ashamed, or concerned if someone else knew that you did individual and society by promoting mental health
or said something? and well-being;
The NCDA Code of Ethics (Code) has been designed as a •
Objectivity, or treating individuals equitably;
guide and resource for career development professionals. • Accountability, or honoring commitments and keeping
While it offers a set of principles that can be applied to a promises, including fulfilling one’s responsibilities of
wide range of settings and situations, it is not (nor can it trust in professional relationships; and
be) comprehensive. If you are concerned about whether
• Veracity, or dealing truthfully with individuals with
or not a particular practice is ethical, then you should
whom career development professionals come into
not engage in that behavior without getting competent
contact.
advice. More succinctly, when in doubt—don’t; at least not
without professional consultation. Peer review isn’t always
going to give you perfect advice; but you can take comfort
in knowing that you questioned your behavior before
proceeding and allowed others to comment before taking
action. There is safety and strength in the depth and breadth
of opinions you seek before engaging in activity that may be
untried or questionable.
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, • NCDA Code of Ethics •
2024 NCDA Code of Ethics Purpose
The National Career Development Association (NCDA) a credible model of decision-making that can bear public
Code of Ethics serves five main purposes: scrutiny and its application. Through a chosen ethical
1. The Code enables NCDA to clarify to current and future decision-making process and evaluation of the context
members, and to those served by their members, the of the situation, career development professionals are
nature of ethical responsibilities held in common by its empowered to make decisions that help expand the capacity
members. of people to grow and develop.
2. The Code helps support the mission of NCDA. NCDA’s Ethics Committee members do not hold
3. The Code establishes principles that define ethical themselves up as definitive experts in all ethical matters.
behaviors and practices of association members. Further, they are not experts with regard to legal issues
4. The Code serves as an ethical guide designed to assist and cannot give legal advice. However, members of the
members in constructing a professional course of action National Career Development Association are encouraged
that best serves those utilizing career services and best to contact the committee with questions. The committee
promotes the values of the career profession. works collaboratively to provide guidance where it can
and to provide referrals as appropriate. You may reach the
5. The Code serves as a guide for those receiving career
committee at ethics@ncda.org.
services so that they may understand what to expect
from working with a career development professional NCDA has members in various career services positions
and to understand their rights and responsibilities as (see Career Development Professionals in the Glossary),
consumers of these services. as well as in instructional (counselor educators, counseling
psychology professors, etc.) and supervisory roles (Director,
The NCDA Code of Ethics contains nine main sections that Associate Director, Career Supervisor, Career Coach,
address the following areas: etc.). The term “career development professional” will be
Section A: The Professional Relationship used throughout this document both as a noun and as an
adjective to refer to anyone holding NCDA membership
Section B: Confidentiality, Privileged Communication,
and who is therefore expected to abide by these ethical
and Privacy
guidelines. Additionally, a brief glossary is given to provide
Section C: Professional Responsibility readers with a concise description of some of the terms
Section D: Relationships with Other Professionals used in the NCDA Code of Ethics. NCDA members who
Section E: Evaluation, Assessment, and Interpretation are affiliated with other professional associations (i.e.,
Section F: Providing Career Service Online, Technology, psychologists, school counselors, etc.) should also consult
& Social Media the ethics codes from those organizations and adhere to the
Section G: Supervision, Training, and Teaching highest standard of professional practice.
Section H: Research and Publication NCDA acknowledges and supports its members in their
Section I: Resolving Ethical Issues quest to achieve the highest academic and professional
credentials appropriate to their work. Many NCDA
Each section of the NCDA Code of Ethics begins with an members are trained and credentialed counselors,
Introduction. The Introduction helps set the tone for that psychologists, and/or educators with master’s and/
particular section and provides a starting point that invites or doctoral-level degrees in counseling, psychology, or
reflection on the ethical guidelines contained in each part related disciplines. NCDA does not encourage or condone
of the NCDA Code of Ethics. When career development replacing these professionals with individuals who have
professionals are faced with ethical dilemmas that are lesser education, training, and/or credentials. However,
difficult to resolve, they are expected to engage in a carefully NCDA acknowledges, respects, and welcomes individuals
considered ethical decision-making process. Reasonable regardless of their training and educational backgrounds
differences of opinion can and do exist among career and recognizes the valuable contribution that all of its
development professionals with respect to ways in which members make in the field of career development. Thus,
values, ethical principles, and ethical standards would NCDA opposes any statement, action, or activity that
be applied when they conflict. While there is no specific implies a “second-class” status to any individuals within our
ethical decision-making model that is most effective, career association.
development professionals are expected to be familiar with
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