CE Provider Policies: Professional Conduct and Nondiscrimination Policies
Learners, staff, speakers, vendors, and other stakeholders thrive in an environment that is fair, safe, and inclusive.
What It Looks Like
Professional conduct policies can include but are not limited to the following:
- ethical behavior
- respect
- accountability
- confidentiality
Nondiscrimination policies can include but are not limited to the following:
- commitment to equity
- hiring and employment practices
- workplace conduct
- reasonable accommodations
These policies benefit everyone involved by
- reflecting the provider’s values and brand;
- reducing liability;
- upholding equality;
- ensuring fair learning opportunities;
- providing clear reporting mechanisms, investigations, and consequences for violations; and
- supporting continuous improvement.
When It Happens
During the organization’s initial development stages, professional conduct and nondiscrimination policies should be established to ensure equitable learning opportunities that reflect the organization’s core values.
The organization must
- document how it communicates expectations, policies, and procedures with course personnel and learners;
- provide documentation upon request;
- provide its policy statements to course planners and instructors during the initial stages of course planning and development; and
- make this information available to learners, when appropriate.
Providers should not just state their policies—all course personnel and learners should be held accountable to adherence with the policies.
How It Supports Compliance
Providers are responsible for ensuring that all course personnel involved in the course development process demonstrate professional decorum in an environment that upholds the human rights of all—promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Course personnel include course planners, staff of the organization(s), course instructors, vendors, and other stakeholders.
Standard 1 requires that all Providers establish a professional conduct and nondiscrimination policy and share that policy with CE program personnel and course instructors and planners, as well as learners, when appropriate.
Why It Matters
When we engage professionally, respect diversity, and handle disagreements constructively, we allow for the collegial exchange of ideas in a safe, productive, and welcoming environment. Clear policies on professional conduct and nondiscrimination help ensure that instructors and staff remain focused on delivering high-quality continuing education. By setting expectations that align with your organization’s values and having a plan to address policy violations, you create a space where all participants feel respected and engaged. Encouraging open discussion while acknowledging diverse perspectives leaves a lasting positive impression, making participants more likely to return for future courses.
Bottom Line
Everyone appreciates feeling respected, included, and heard. Clear professional conduct and nondiscrimination policies lay the foundation of a learning environment that encourages and supports diverse ideas and respectful conversations.
