Professional Standards and Ethics

Standards for Responsible Practice and Credible Accreditation

The CACE Professional Standards and Ethics Code sets out the conduct expected of corporate and individual members. It supports integrity, accountability and consistent quality in continuing education, professional recognition and accreditation.

As an accreditation body, CACE periodically reviews its standards to ensure that they remain relevant to changes in continuing education and lifelong learning.

General Responsibilities

All CACE members are expected to:

• Act honestly, responsibly and in accordance with applicable laws and CACE requirements.
• Provide accurate information and avoid misleading claims about membership, professional status or accreditation.
• Maintain appropriate professional competence and standards of conduct.
• Treat learners, colleagues, institutions and members of the public fairly and respectfully.
• Protect confidential and personal information.
• Disclose and manage conflicts of interest appropriately.
• Use CACE certificates, designations, logos and accreditation marks only as authorised.

Standards for Corporate Members

Corporate membership comprises Institution Members and Accredited Members. These members are responsible for the continuing education programmes they develop and deliver. Corporate members are expected to:

• Maintain suitable processes for programme development, delivery and assessment.
• Provide complete and accurate information during membership, accreditation and review procedures.
• Cooperate with CACE assessments, audits and periodic reviews.
• Use accreditation statements and marks only for the institution or programmes approved by CACE.
• Inform CACE of material changes affecting an accredited programme.
• Maintain fair procedures for learner assessment, feedback, complaints and appeals.

CACE accreditation applies only to the corporate member or programmes expressly identified in the relevant accreditation decision. Accreditation must not be represented as covering unapproved programmes or as having a wider scope than CACE has granted. Corporate members remain responsible for the content and delivery of their programmes.

Standards for Individual Members

CACE administers the individual professional membership grades of Graduateship (GCCE), Membership (MCCE) and Fellowship (FCCE). Individual members are expected to:

• Support the advancement of continuing education and lifelong learning.
• Represent their experience, qualifications and membership grade accurately.
• Use CACE post-nominal designations only while their membership remains active and in good standing.
• Maintain continuing professional development appropriate to their work and membership grade.
• Avoid conduct that could mislead the public or damage confidence in CACE and its members.

Certificates, Designations and Accreditation Marks

Membership, professional and accreditation certificates issued by CACE remain the property of the Association and are subject to its rules. CACE may require a certificate to be returned when membership or accreditation expires, is withdrawn, suspended or terminated.

When a membership or accreditation status ends, the individual or corporate member must stop using the related certificate, designation, logo, badge or accreditation mark.

Withdrawal of Membership

An individual or corporate member may withdraw from CACE by submitting written notice to the Board of Directors. The member must discontinue the use of all CACE membership or accreditation credentials and return any certificate when requested.

Further Information

For questions about the CACE Professional Standards and Ethics Code, or to report a possible breach, please contact