Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct
AIA Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct
Ethics and integrity are essential to our work
AIA members are dedicated to the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and competence. The AIA Code of Ethics guides members’ conduct in fulfilling those obligations. The Code applies to the professional activities of all AIA members, regardless of their membership category.
The Code is arranged in three tiers: Canons (broad principles of conduct); Ethical standards (more specific goals toward which each should aspire); Rules of conduct (mandatory requirements).
Read the AIA Code of Ethics.
National Ethics Council
The National Ethics Council (NEC) is appointed by the AIA Board of Directors to enforce the Code. The NEC also: proposes revisions to the Code; proposes revisions to the NEC’s Rules of Procedure, which govern the process for handling a complaint; and educates the public and AIA members on ethical issues in architecture.
NEC decisions that result in a Code violation and discipline may be appealed to AIA’s Board of Directors. In cases where termination is the recommended penalty, decisions are automatically appealed to the Board.
Resources
NEC members
- Anzilla Gilmore, FAIA, NOMA, 2019 Chair
- Elise Woodward, AIA, LEED AP
- Eric Pempus, FAIA
- Justin Crane, AIA
- Kevin Montgomery, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C
- Robert A. Boynton, FAIA
- Sylvia Botero, AIA, LEED, ACHA, EDAC
NEC decisions and Advisory Opinions
The NEC publishes redacted versions of its decisions as well as Advisory Opinions, which illustrate how the AIA Code of Ethics applies to a particular situation.
View the NEC’s decisions.
View Advisory Opinions.