Honest, justice and courtesy form a moral philosophy which, asso­ciated with mutual interest among men and women, constitutes the foundation of ethics.  The surveyor should recognize such a stan­dard, not to passive observance, but as a set of dynamic principles guiding his or her conduct and way of life.  It is the surveyor’s duty to practice his or her profession to this Canon of Ethics.

Section I–Professional Life

1. The surveyor will cooperate in extending the effectiveness of the surveying profession by interchanging information and experience with other surveyors and students and by con­tributing to the work of surveying societies and associa­tions, schools and the scientific and surveying press. 

2. It shall be considered unprofessional and inconsistent with honorable and dignified bearing for any surveyor to advertise in any manner derogatory to the dignity of the profession.  Professional work should come to the surveyor on the basis of experience and reputation.

3. The surveyor will avoid all conduct or practice likely to dis­credit or do injury to the dignity and honor of the profession.

Section II–Relations with the Public

1. The surveyor will endeavor to extend public knowledge of surveying, and will discourage the spreading of untrue, unfair and exaggerated statements regarding surveying.

2. The surveyor will have due regard for the safety of life and health of public and employees who may be affected by the work for which he or she is responsible.

3. The surveyor will express an opinion only when it is founded on adequate knowledge and honest conviction while he or she is serving as witness before a court, commission or other tribunal.

Section III–Relations with Clients and Employers

1. The surveyor will act in professional matters for each client or employer as a faithful agent or trustee.

2. The surveyor will act with fairness and justice between his client or employer and the contractor when dealing with contracts.

      3. The surveyor will engage, or advise his or her client or em­ployer to engage,                  and he or she will cooperate with other experts and specialists whenever the client’s or employer’s interests are best served by such service.

4. The surveyor will disclose no information concerning the business affairs or technical processes and data of clients or employers without their consent.

5. The surveyor will not undertake work which he or she believes will not be successful without first advising the client of his or her opinion.

6. The surveyor will promptly disclose to his or her client or employer any interest in a business which may compete with or affect the business of his or her client or employer.  The surveyor will not allow an interest in any business to affect his or her decision regarding surveying work for which he or she is employed, or which he or she may be called upon to perform.

7.  An employed surveyor will not solicit or accept other em­ployment to the detriment of his or her regular work or the interests of his or her employer.

Section IV–Relations with Surveyors

1. The surveyor will endeavor to protect the surveying profes­sion collectively and individually from misrepresentation and misunderstandings.

2.  The surveyor will endeavor to provide opportunity for the professional development and advancement of surveyors in his or her employ.

3. The surveyor will not directly or indirectly injure the profes­sional reputation, prospects or practices of another surveyor.  However, if he or she considers that a surveyor is guilty of unethical, illegal or unfair practice, he or she will present the information to the proper authority for action.

4. The surveyor will not attempt to practice in any field of sur­veying in which he or she is not proficient.  The surveyor should call in special consulting service to supplement his own experience and that of his or her organization on prob­lems outside of their usual field.

       5. The surveyor will not become associated in responsibility for work with surveyors             who do not conform to ethical prac­tices, or use association with a non-surveyor, a               corporation or a partnership as a cloak for unethical acts, but must accept                           responsibility for any such acts to the extent of his or her authority.

6. The surveyor will not accept any assignment to perform any service in a project under development without the knowl­edge of the surveyor employed by the same client.

Section V–Ethics in Practice