CODE OF ETHICS & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY

GCLC Board adopted the Code of Ethics & Professional Responsibility to establish the highest principles and standards. These principles are general statements expressing the ethical and professional ideals Certified Life Coaches are expected to display in their professional activities.

Principle 1 – Integrity: Provide professional services with integrity.

Integrity demands honesty and candor which must not be subordinated to personal gain and advantage. Certified Life Coaches are placed in positions of trust by clients, and the ultimate source of that trust is the Certified Life Coach’s personal integrity. Allowance can be made for innocent error and legitimate differences of opinion, but integrity cannot co-exist with deceit or subordination of one’s principles.

Principle 2 – Objectivity: Provide professional services objectively.

Objectivity requires intellectual honesty and impartiality. Regardless of the particular service rendered or the capacity in which a Certified Life Coach functions, Certified Life Coaches should protect the integrity of their work, maintain objectivity and avoid subordination of their judgment.

Principle 3 – Competence: Maintain the knowledge and skill necessary to provide professional services competently.

Competence means attaining and maintaining an adequate level of knowledge and skill, and application of that knowledge and skill in providing services to clients. Competence also includes the wisdom to recognize the limitations of that knowledge and when consultation with other professionals is appropriate or referral to other professionals necessary. Certified Life Coaches make a continuing commitment to learning and professional improvement.

Principle 4 – Fairness: Be fair and reasonable in all professional relationships. Disclose conflicts of interest.

Fairness requires impartiality, intellectual honesty and disclosure of material conflicts of interest. It involves a subordination of one’s own feelings, prejudices and desires so as to achieve a proper balance of conflicting interests. Fairness is treating others in the same fashion that you would want to be treated.

Principle 5 – Confidentiality: Protect the confidentiality of all client information.

Confidentiality means ensuring that information is accessible only to those authorized to have access. A relationship of trust and confidence with the client can only be built upon the understanding that the client’s information will remain confidential.

Principle 6 – Professionalism: Act in a manner that demonstrates exemplary professional conduct.

Professionalism requires behaving with dignity and courtesy to clients, fellow professionals, and others in business-related activities. Certified Life Coaches cooperate with fellow Certified Life Coaches to enhance and maintain the profession’s public image and improve the quality of services.

Principle 7 – Diligence: Provide professional services diligently.

Diligence is the provision of services in a reasonably prompt and thorough manner, including the proper planning for, and supervision of, the rendering of professional services.

I.          INFORMATION DISCLOSED TO PROSPECTIVE CLIENTS AND                        CURRENT CLIENTS

A Certified Life Coach shall not communicate, directly or indirectly, to clients or prospective clients any false or misleading information directly or indirectly related to the Certified Life Coach’s professional qualifications or services.  A Certified Life Coach shall not mislead any parties about the potential benefits of the Certified Life Coach’s service.  A Certified Life Coach shall not fail to disclose or otherwise omit facts where that disclosure is necessary to avoid misleading clients.

A Certified Life Coach shall disclose to a prospective client or current client the following information:

          An accurate and understandable description of the compensation arrangements being offered.

          Shall treat prospective clients and clients fairly and provide professional services with integrity and objectivity.

          Shall offer Life Coaching only in those areas in which he or she is competent to do so and shall maintain competence in all areas in which he or she is engaged to provide professional services.

          Shall be in compliance with applicable regulatory requirements governing professional services provided to the client.

          Shall exercise reasonable and prudent professional judgment in providing professional services to clients.

          Shall provide reasonable and prudent professional supervision or direction to any subordinate or third party to whom the Certified Life Coach assigns responsibility for any client services.

          Shall advise his or her current clients of any certification suspension or revocation he or she receives from GCLC Board.

II.         DISCIPLINARY AND ETHICS GCLC

Function and Jurisdiction of GCLCBDEC

GCLC Board’s Disciplinary and Ethics Commission (referred to herein as “GCLCBDEC”), formed pursuant to and governed by the Bylaws of GCLC Board, is charged with the duty of reviewing and taking appropriate action with respect to alleged violations of the Code of Ethics & Professional Responsibility. GCLCBDEC shall have original jurisdiction over all such matters.

(a)   Oversee GCLC to ensure it follows the established rules and procedures required to provide a fair process to all participants;

(b)   Ensure that each Hearing Panel is comprised of individuals who act in an impartial and objective manner and have no conflicts of interest with the complainant or Respondent subject to the complaint; 

(c)   Conduct appropriate background investigations of members and volunteers; seek the input of the Board of Regents on prospective members.

(d)   Report to the Board of Regents the intended outcome. 

Hearing Panel

The Hearing Panel shall consist of three persons, two of whom must be GCLC® professionals. A Hearing Panel shall be comprised of two GCLC members and one volunteer, unless circumstances make it impractical.  One member of each Hearing Panel shall serve as Chair of each hearing. The Hearing Panel Chair must be a GCLC member.  The Chair shall rule on all motions, objections and other matters presented at, or prior to, a hearing. 

Disqualification

GCLC members and volunteers shall not participate in any proceeding in which they, a member of their immediate family or a member of their firm have any interest or where such participation otherwise would involve a conflict of interest or the appearance of impropriety. A Respondent must identify any conflicts with potential Hearing Panel members in his or her Answer to GCLCBDEC’s Complaint.  Failure to do so will result in the waiver of an objection to the Hearing Panel member.  A Respondent may raise any conflicts arising after the filing of his/her answer with the Hearing Panel at the start of the hearing and the Chair of the Hearing Panel shall make a ruling.

Venue

Unless otherwise approved by the Board of Regents, GCLC Board’s headquarters shall serve as a central office for the filing of requests for:

(a)   the investigation of Respondent conduct;

(b)   the coordination of such investigations;

(c)   the administration of all disciplinary enforcement proceedings carried out pursuant to these Disciplinary Rules; and

(d)   the performance of such other activities as are designated by the CEO.

III.        GROUNDS FOR DISCIPLINE

Misconduct by a Respondent, individually or in concert with others, including the following acts or omissions, shall constitute grounds for discipline, whether or not the act or omission occurred in the course of a client relationship:

(a)  Any act or omission that violates the provisions of the Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility.

(b)  Any act or omission that fails to comply with the Practice Standards;

(c)  Any act or omission that violates the criminal laws of any State or of the United States or of any province, territory or jurisdiction of any other country, provided however, that conviction thereof in a criminal proceeding shall not be a prerequisite to the institution of disciplinary proceedings, and provided further, that acquittal in a criminal proceeding shall not bar a disciplinary action;

(d)  Any act that is the proper basis for professional discipline, as defined herein, provided professional discipline shall not be a prerequisite to the institution of disciplinary proceedings, and provided further, that dismissal of charges in a professional discipline proceeding shall not necessarily bar a disciplinary action;

(e)  Any act or omission that violates these Disciplinary Rules or that violates an order of discipline;

(f)   Failure to respond to a request by GCLC Board staff, or obstruction of GCLC, or any panel thereof, or GCLC Board staff in the performance of its or their duties;

(g)  Any false or misleading statement made to GCLC Board.

The enumeration of the foregoing acts and omissions constituting grounds for discipline is not exclusive and other acts or omissions amounting to unprofessional conduct may constitute grounds for discipline.

IV.        FORMS OF DISCIPLINE

In cases where no grounds for discipline have been established, GCLC may dismiss the matter as either without merit or with a cautionary letter.  In all cases, GCLC has the right to require the Respondent to complete additional continuing education or other remedial work, which includes, but is not limited to, completing the coursework required by a GCLC Board-Registered Program. Such continuing education or remedial work may be ordered instead of, or in addition to discipline.

Private Censure

GCLC may order private censure of a Respondent, which shall be an unpublished written reproach mailed by GCLC to a censured Respondent.

Public Letter of Admonition

GCLC may order that a Public Letter of Admonition be issued against a Respondent, which shall be a publishable written reproach of the Respondent’s behavior. It shall be standard procedure to publish the Public Letter of Admonition in a press release or in such other form of publicity selected by GCLC.

Suspension

GCLC may order suspension for a specified period of time, not to exceed five years. In the event of a suspension, GCLC Board must publish the fact of the suspension together with identification of the Respondent in a press release, or in such other form of publicity as is selected by GCLC. Respondents receiving a suspension may qualify for reinstatement.

Revocation

GCLC may order permanent revocation. In the event of a permanent revocation it shall be standard procedure to publish the fact of the revocation together with identification of the Respondent in a press release, or in such other form of publicity as is selected by GCLC.  

Automatic Interim Suspension    

An interim suspension shall immediately be issued without a hearing when GCLC Board receives evidence of a conviction or a professional discipline for any of the following conduct as it relates to client activities:

(a)  Felony conviction for crime of moral turpitude;

(b)  Misdemeanor conviction for fraud, misrepresentation or crimes of moral turpitude; or

(c)  GCLC Board will notify any GCLC® professional subject to interim suspension under this.

Proceedings Subsequent to Interim Suspensions

After the issuance of an interim suspension or an automatic interim suspension, GCLC Board shall continue to investigate. 

Automatic Reinstatement Upon Reversal of Conviction or Professional Discipline

A GCLC® professional subject to a suspension under this Article shall have the suspension vacated immediately upon filing with GCLC a certificate demonstrating that the underlying criminal conviction or professional discipline has been reversed; provided, however, the reinstatement upon such reversal shall have no effect on any proceeding conducted pursuant to these Disciplinary Rules then pending against a GCLC® professional.  

V.         INVESTIGATION

Commencement

Proceedings involving potential ethics violations shall be commenced upon: 1) receipt of information by GCLC Board indicating a potential violation of the Code of Ethics, Rules of Conduct and/or non-compliance with the Practice Standards; or 2) disclosure by a Respondent of any matter constituting a potential violation of the Code of Ethics, Rules of Conduct and/or non-compliance with the Practice Standards. 

Procedures for Investigation

Upon receipt of a request for investigation containing allegations which, if true, could give rise to a violation of the Code of Ethics, GCLC Board shall give written notice to the Respondent that the Respondent is under investigation and of the general nature of the allegations asserted against the Respondent. The Respondent shall have 30 calendar days from the date of notice of the investigation to file a written response to the allegations with the GCLC Board.

(a)  No Response. At the expiration of the 30 calendar-day period if no response has been received, GCLC Board shall give written notice of a second request for information via certified mail.  The Respondent shall have 20 calendar days from the date of the second request to file a written response to the allegations with GCLC Board.  At the expiration of the 20 calendar-day period if no response has been received, the matter shall be referred to GCLCBDEC.

(b)  Adverse Inference. Failure to provide requested information may give rise to an adverse inference with respect to the underlying subject matter. An adverse inference is an inference, adverse to the concerned party, drawn from silence or absence of requested evidence.  This rule applies to evidence that has been destroyed, evidence that exists but the party refuses to produce, and evidence that the party has under his/her control and has not produced.  This adverse inference is based upon the presumption that the party who controls the evidence would have produced it, if it had been supportive of his/her position. 

(c)  Response. Upon receipt of a response within the prescribed time period, GCLC Board shall compile all documents and materials and commence probable cause determination procedures as soon thereafter as is reasonably practicable.

Probable Cause Determination Procedures 

GCLC Board or his/her designee shall be responsible for determining if there is probable cause to believe grounds for discipline exist and shall: 1) dismiss the allegations as not warranting further investigation at this time; 2) dismiss the allegations with a letter of caution indicating that GCLC Board has determined that based on the available evidence, the Respondent’s conduct may have violated the Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility but does  not warrant referral to GCLC; or 3) begin preparation and processing of a Complaint against the Respondent.  For matters that are dismissed, GCLC Board reserves the right to reopen the investigation in the future if appropriate. When GCLC Board  issues a letter of caution, the Respondent may submit a letter in response to the letter of caution.  The response letter will become part the Respondent’s record, but will not receive any additional consideration by GCLC Board.  The letter of caution and the response to the letter of caution will be available for consideration by GCLC.  

Disposition

GCLC Board shall conduct GCLC Board’s investigation as expeditiously as reasonably practicable.

Relinquishment

A Respondent may not voluntarily relinquish his/her GCLC® certification during the course of an investigation.

VI.        COMPLAINT - ANSWER - DEFAULT

Complaint

An original Complaint shall be prepared by GCLC Board and forwarded to the Respondent. Copies of the Complaint shall be included with the materials provided to the Hearing Panel in advance of the hearing. The Complaint shall reasonably set forth the grounds for discipline with which the Respondent is charged and the conduct or omission that gave rise to those charges.

Service of the Complaint

GCLC Board shall promptly serve the Complaint upon the Respondent.

Answer

All Answers to Complaints shall be in writing. The Answer shall be submitted within 20 calendar days from the date of service of the Complaint on the Respondent. The Respondent shall file an original of such Answer with GCLC Board.  A copy of the Answer shall be included with the materials provided to the Hearing Panel in advance of the hearing. In the Answer, the Respondent shall respond to every material allegation contained in the Complaint. In addition, the Respondent shall set forth in the Answer any defenses or mitigating circumstances. 

Default and Administrative Orders of Revocation

If the Respondent fails to file an Answer within the period provided, the Respondent shall be deemed to be in default, and the allegations set forth in the Complaint shall be deemed admitted.

VII.       REINSTATEMENT OF GCLC® CERTIFICATION

An individual may request reinstatement of the right to use the GCLC® certification marks at any time after relinquishment.  To be reinstated these five steps must be completed in this order:

• Submit the Reinstatement form
• Pay a non-refundable $100 reinstatement fee
• Report course completions for any outstanding and accrued CE
• Complete the renewal application and pay the renewal fee
• Pass the disciplinary background check

Upon receipt of the completed Reinstatement form, GCLC Board will contact the individual via email within 3-5 business days with details on the requirements necessary to complete the process. 

Individuals who have been in relinquishment for 5-years or more will be required to pass the current GCLC® Exam as a condition of reinstatement.

Reinstatement requirements must be completed within 90 days of being notified that your Reinstatement form has been approved. Missing the 90-day deadline will require the individual to reapply and pay the non-refundable $100 reinstatement fee again to complete the process.

After the reinstatement requirements have been fulfilled, a disciplinary background check is conducted. Once all requirements have been met, GCLC Board will provide written confirmation of reinstatement and issue a current GCLC Board ID card.

In the event that reinstatement is denied as a result of any disciplinary action taken by GCLC Board's Disciplinary and Ethics Commission, the applicant may appeal to the Appeals Committee pursuant to GCLC Board's Disciplinary Rules and Procedures.

VIII.      CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR REINSTATEMENT

Within one year after certification expiration date: 
The applicant must complete any outstanding CE hours to GCLC Board prior to reinstatement, including two hours on GCLC Board approved Ethics program unless the Ethics requirement had already been met in the most recent CE cycle.

More than one year, but less than five years after certification expiration date:
The applicant must complete any outstanding CE hours (including two hours of GCLC Board approved Ethics).  This final balance will include the hours due at time of expiration and the hours accrued at a monthly rate of 1.25 hours prior to the reinstatement date.  Total CE hours required will not exceed 60.   

CE completions must have occurred within two years of the date of reinstatement, which must occur within 90-days of GCLC Board accepting the reinstatement application. The completion date for GCLC Board Ethics course must be within the past 12-months.

Five years after certification expiration date:  The applicant will be required to pass the current GCLC® Certification Examination in lieu of the CE requirement.