Code of Ethics

I hereby apply for the Certified Compost Operations Management (CCOM™) or the Certified Composting Professional (CCP™) certification offered by the US Composting Council Certification Commission (the Commission), and attest that I have read and understand the eligibility criteria contained within this application. I certify I meet all eligibility requirements and that all of the information provided in my application is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and ability. I understand the Commission will rely upon the information I have provided to evaluate this application and that providing false or misleading information, omitting required information or otherwise violating the rules of certification will disqualify me from receiving or maintaining any certification offered by the Commission and may result in appropriate disciplinary action. The Commission reserves the right to reject an application based on incomplete or inaccurate information, and further reserves the right to deny or revoke certification due to incomplete or inaccurate information, or the violation of the USCC Certification Commission Code of Ethics.

I further understand it is my responsibility to maintain the currency of my information and I must immediately inform the Commission of changes pertaining to my contact information and any changes, which may impact my certification or recertification eligibility.

I agree that all materials I submit to the Commission in the certification process shall become the property of the Commission and the Commission is not required to return any of these materials to me.

I understand I am eligible to take the CCOM™ or CCP™ test within one year of my application being accepted and that if I do not take my CCOM™ or CCP™ test within that period, my application will be deemed invalid, and I will be ineligible to sit for the CCOM™ or CCP™ test unless I submit a new application with the required fee, and that application is approved by the Commission.

I understand I may be disqualified from taking or completing the test, or from receiving test scores, if the Commission determines through proctor observation, statistical analysis, or other means that I engaged in collaborative, disruptive or other inappropriate behavior during the administration of the test.

I understand that passing the CCOM™ or CCP™ test and meeting all criteria will result in the Commission awarding me the CCOM™ or CCP™ Credential. I agree to only display and represent my certification in a manner pursuant to the Commission guidelines, and I agree to comply with all the Commission policies and procedures in connection with the certification.

I understand that if I do not pass the CCOM™ or CCP™ test, I may retake the test twice more for a total of three times within one year, at my own expense

If I am informed my application has been denied, I understand I may appeal in writing to the Commission pursuant to its appeals procedure. I agree to accept the Commission’s decision upon any appeal.

I will maintain the confidentiality of the CCOM™ or CCP™ test questions and content, and, I will not discuss, debrief, or disclose in any manner the content of the CCOM™ or CCP™ test questions and answers to any third parties.

I recognize the Commission is the sole and only judge of my qualifications to receive and maintain certification. I further recognize the Commission reserves the right to modify or alter at any time the certification standards, requirements for certification and recertification, and any rules, policies, or procedures in connection therewith.

I authorize the Commission to include my name and contact information in any publicly available lists or directories in which the names of Certified Compost Operations Manager™ and Certified Composting Professional™ are published, and waive any rights of objections to such listings (unless I have indicated otherwise in writing to the Commission). I understand and agree the Commission owns all right, title, and interest in and to all names, trademarks, logos, copyrights, applications, and other material related to the CCOM™ and CCP™ program (“Intellectual Property”), and I agree I will only use such Intellectual Property in accordance the Commission policies. I agree to cease using such Intellectual property upon the expiration, suspension, or revocation of my certification or if I am alerted to the inappropriate use of such intellectual property.

I understand and agree the Commission does not make any claims, warranties, guarantees, or promises regarding the performance of any CCOM™ or CCP™, and I agree not to misrepresent my certification status and its meaning.

I also agree to promptly report to the Commission  any possible violations of the terms of this Statement of Understanding or the Commission’s Code of Ethics by the Commission  members or persons who have applied for or been awarded the CCOM™ or CCP™ credential by the Commission.

I agree to indemnify, release, discharge, and hold harmless individually and collectively the Commission  and any and all directors, officers, agents, and employees of the Commission  from any and all liability arising in connection with the certification program; any decision, action, obligation, damage, claim, or omission relating to this application; the taking, grading, and reporting of the test; the failure to grant the certification, recertification to me; and the revocation of my certification. I understand and agree any decision concerning my qualification for any credential, as well as any decisions regarding my recertification for any credential and my compliance with the Commission Code of Ethics rest within the sole and exclusive discretion of the Commission and that these decisions are final.

If audited, I understand I must provide the information requested prior to scheduling and taking the test.

INTENT TO PARTICIPATE

I intend to participate in the USCC Certification Commission’s CCOM™ or CCP™ program and agree to the following:

I will provide my professional demographic profile to be used for Certification Commission service purposes, collected at the time of the application. The Commission follows best practices of accredited certification agencies in privacy and confidentiality of information regarding candidates and those credentialed by the USCC Certification Commission. More specifically, the Commission will never use your name and contact information for solicitations or marketing. All communications with the Commission are permission based and the Commission provides information by email which is necessary for the administration and maintenance of your professional certification. The Commission never provides, in any manner, your contact information to third-party marketing firms or association product promoters. This is solely for the Commission’s use.

My data, used in an anonymous fashion, can be used and released for research purposes and published as part of the program analysis.

I have read and will follow the Commission’s Code of Ethics and Intellectual Property policy as may be amended from time to time by the Commission.

I will pay a nonrefundable fee in the amount specified in the program materials.

I have read and understand all of the CCOM™ and CCP™ Program materials and the CCOM™ and CCP™ requirements in the CCOM™/CCP™ Candidate Handbook.

I will report to the Commission, within 45 days of occurrence, any matters, proceedings, lawsuits, settlements, and/or agreements, administrative agency actions, or organizational actions related to my profession or occupation, including all complaints related to my professional activities as a compost operations management practitioner, and matters, or proceedings involving, but not limited to certification, credentialing, malpractice, disciplinary ethics or similar matters. I also agree to promptly report within 45 days of any occurrence any felony criminal charges, convictions, or plea agreements, or other criminal charges, convictions, plea agreements relating to acts of dishonesty or unethical conduct.

By submitting this application, I understand and agree to all of the above items.

The Code of Ethics is intended to reflect the standards and behavior that USCC Certification Commission certified practitioners and program applicants expect of each other as they perform their duties and that reaffirm the value of holding a USCC credential. 

The purpose of the Code of Ethics is to ensure public confidence in the integrity and service of USCC Certified professionals while performing their duties. The Code of Ethics identifies the types of circumstances that may compromise the reliability of the Commission’s ability to establish, or certify, a certificate holder’s or program applicant’s ability to perform the essential tasks of the vocation with at least minimal competency. 

For purposes of this Code of Ethics, “essential tasks” are defined as the general vocational duties that are expected to be performed by USCC Certified professionals. “Minimal competency” is defined as the ability to perform the essential tasks effectively, with minimal supervision. 

The Commission does not monitor on-the-job behavior or actions. Adherence to these ethical standards is expected from all certificate holders and applicants. Any found or reported action of a certificate holder or applicant that compromises the reliability of the certification process, is in violation of the Code of Ethics, or that shows gross incompetence, negligence, dishonesty or fraudulence while performing the essential tasks of their USCC Certified vocation may be subject to removal of his or her certified status. 

All USCC certificate holders and applicants are expected to adhere to the following standards of professional conduct and ethics: 

1. We represent ourselves truthfully, honestly, and to the best of our abilities throughout the entire certification process, and in performance of the essential tasks described in section 5 of the USCC Certification Candidate Handbook. 
2. We adhere to all CCOM™ and CCP™ test site rules, making no attempt to complete a test dishonestly or to assist any other person in doing so.
3. We protect proprietary or confidential information that has been entrusted to us as if it were our own. 
4. We state only what we know to be true, and are clear about opinions & assumptions vs. facts. 
5. We are transparent about who we are, and whom or what we represent online. 
6. We take ownership of our online activities, the content we have created, and any missteps we have made along the way. 
7. We uphold the policies, rules, regulations and laws that govern our activities. 
8. We report unethical or illegal conduct to appropriate authorities, and if necessary, to those affected by the conduct.