Before submitting your membership application, you must read the Code of Ethical and Professional Conduct. When finished, CLICK HERE to apply for membership.
A. OBJECTIVES
This code is designed to aid the Fellows and Members of the Association, individually and collectively, to maintain a high level of ethical and professional conduct. The code may be considered a standard by which a Fellow or Member may determine the propriety of his or her conduct, relationship with colleagues, members of allied professions, the public, and all persons with whom a professional relationship has been established. These should be concordant with the principal purpose of the Association, which is the improvement of clinical practice, promotion of scientific inquiry, and advancement of education for the benefit of health-care professionals and the public in the multidisciplinary field of cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation.
Fellows and Members should strive continuously to improve their knowledge and skills and to make available to their colleagues and to the public the benefits of their professional attainments.
Fellows and Members should maintain high professional and scientific standards and should not voluntarily associate professionally with those who violate this principle.
The Association should safeguard the public and itself against Fellows or Members who are deficient in ethical conduct or professional competence.
B. MAINTENANCE OF GOOD STANDING IN REGULATED PROFESSIONS
Any Fellow or Member required by law to be licensed, certified, or otherwise regulated by any government agency or professional association in order to practice his or her profession must remain in good standing before that agency or association as a condition of continued membership in the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Any expulsion, suspension, probation, or other sanction imposed by such government or professional body on any Fellow or Member may be grounds for disciplinary action by the Association.
C. PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF AFFILIATION
Any Fellow or Member may make disclosure of affiliation with the Association in an appropriate professional context, including use in curriculum vitae, in biographical descriptions, or in another professional, dignified manner. Disclosure of affiliation may not be made in connection with any commercial venture without prior written authorization of the Association. A commercial venture is defined here to mean the sale of any goods, services, or other property for a valuable consideration with the exception of books, journal articles, or other professional publications. Requests for such authorization should be made in writing to the President or the Executive Director of the Association. Fellows may list their affiliation with the Association on professional or business cards, only by the use of the initials F.A.A.C.V.P.R.: members other than Fellows may not use this affiliation on business or professional cards. Disclosure in violation of these guidelines may be grounds for disciplinary action.
The use of the name of the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation as a cosponsoring or cooperating organization for professional meetings, professional education programs, and the like must follow the guidelines of the Association for these specific designations.
D. DISCIPLINE
Any Fellow or Member of the Association may be disciplined or expelled for conduct which in the opinion of the Board of Directors, is derogatory to the dignity or inconsistent with the purposes of the Association. The expulsion of a Fellow or Member may be ordered upon the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors present at a regular or special meeting and only after such Fellow or Member has been informed of the charges preferred and has been given an opportunity to refute such charges before the Board of Directors. Other disciplinary action such as reprimand, probation, or censure may be recommended by the Committee on Ethics and Professional Conduct and ordered following the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors present at a regular or special meeting, or by mail ballot provided a quorum take action.
Membership in AACVPR is effective July 1 through June 30. Membership is not pro-rated; however, members joining after March 1 will be deferred until July 1. Membership dues are non-refundable nor deductible as a charitable contribution. Membership dues may be deductible as an ordinary and necessary business expense. Consult your tax advisor for information.