Code of ethics for the profession of dietetics.

The American Dietetic Association and its Commission on Dietetic Registration have adopted a voluntary, enforceable code of ethics. This code, entitled the Code of Ethics for the Profession of Dietetics, challenges all members, registered dietitians, and dietetic technicians, registered, to uphold ethical principles. The enforcement process for the Code of Ethics establishes a fair system to deal with complaints about members and credentialed practitioners from peers or the public.

The first code of ethics was adopted by the House of Delegates in October 1982; enforcement began in 1985. The code applied to members of The American Dietetic Association only. A second code was adopted by the House of Delegates in October 1987 and applied to all members and Commission on Dietetic Registration credentialed practitioners. A third revision of the code was adopted by the House of Delegates on October 18, 1998, and enforced as of June 1, 1999, for all members and Commission on Dietetic Registration credentialed practitioners.

The Ethics Committee is responsible for reviewing, promoting, and enforcing the Code. The Committee also educates members, credentialed practitioners, students, and the public about the ethical principles contained in the Code. Support of the Code of Ethics by members and credentialed practitioners is vital to guiding the profession's actions and to strengthening its credibility.

PREAMBLE

The American Dietetic Association and its credentialing agency, the Commission on Dietetic Registration, believe it is in the best interest of the profession and the public it serves to have a Code of Ethics in place that provides guidance to dietetics practitioners in their professional practice and conduct. Dietetics practitioners have voluntarily adopted a Code of Ethics to reflect the values and ethical principles guiding the dietetics profession and to outline commitments and obligations of the dietetics practitioner to client, society, self, and the profession.

The Ethics Code applies in its entirety to members of The American Dietetic Association who are Registered Dietitians (RDs) or Dietetics Technicians, Registered (DTRs). Except for sections solely dealing with the credential, the Code applies to all members of The American Dietetic Association who are not RDs or DTRs. Except for aspects solely dealing with membership, the Code applies to all RDs and DTRs who are not members of The American Dietetic Association. All of the aforementioned are referred to in the Code as "dietetics practitioners." By accepting membership in The American Dietetic Association and/or accepting and maintaining Commission on Dietetic Registration credentials, members of The American Dietetic Association and Commission on Dietetic Registration credentialed dietetics practitioners agree to abide by the Code.

PRINCIPLES

1. The dietetics practitioner conducts himself/herself with honesty, integrity, and fairness.

2. The dietetics practitioner practices dietetics based on scientific principles and current information.

3. The dietetics practitioner presents substantiated information and interprets controversial information without personal bias, recognizing that legitimate differences of opinion exist.

4. The dietetics practitioner assumes responsibility and accountability for personal competence in practice, continually striving to increase professional knowledge and skills and to apply them in practice.

5. The dietetics practitioner recognizes and exercises professional judgment within the limits of his/her qualifications and collaborates with others, seeks counsel, or makes referrals as appropriate.

6. The dietetics practitioner provides sufficient information to enable clients and others to make their own informed decisions.

7. The dietetics practitioner protects confidential information and makes full disclosure about any limitations on his/her ability to guarantee full confidentiality.

8. The dietetics practitioner provides professional services with objectivity and with respect for the unique needs and values of individuals.

9. The dietetics practitioner provides professional services in a manner that is sensitive to cultural differences and does not discriminate against others on the basis of race, ethnicity, creed, religion, disability, sex, age, sexual orientation, or national origin. …