Code of Maine Rules › 02 - DEPARTMENT OF PROFESSIONAL AND FINANCIAL REGULATION › 322 - STATE BOARD OF LICENSURE FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS › Chapter 2 - LICENSURE › Section 322-2-14 - MAINE PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS CODE OF ETHICS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Preamble
To comply with the purpose of the Act, which is "to safeguard
				  life, health and property," and to maintain a high standard of integrity and
				  practice, the Maine Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers has developed
				  this Code of Ethical Conduct.
This Code of Ethical Conduct shall be binding on every person
				  holding a certificate of licensure to offer or perform engineering services in
				  Maine. To the extent applicable, it shall also be binding on every person who
				  holds a certificate as an Engineer-Intern in Maine. Persons holding either a
				  certificate or a temporary permit to practice are referred to hereinafter as
				  licensees.
Licensees are required to be familiar with the Act and rules
				  of the Board of Licensure and this Code of Ethical Conduct. This Code of
				  Ethical Conduct delineates specific obligations the licensee must meet. In
				  addition, each licensee is charged with the responsibility of adhering to
				  standards of highest ethical and moral conduct in all aspects of practice of
				  Professional Engineering or preparation for such practice as an
				  Engineer-Intern.
Practice under the Maine Engineering Licensure Statute is a
				  privilege, as opposed to a right. All licensees shall exercise their privilege
				  of practicing by performing services only in the areas of their competence
				  according to current standards of technical competence.
Licensees shall recognize their responsibility to the public
				  and shall represent themselves before the public only in an objective and
				  truthful manner.
Licensees shall avoid conflicts of interest and faithfully
				  serve the legitimate interests of their employers, clients, and customers
				  within the limits defined by these rules. Their professional reputation shall
				  be built on the merit of their services, and they shall not compete unfairly
				  with others.
I.
OBLIGATION TO
				SOCIETY
a. Licensees, in the
				performance of their services for clients, employers and customers, shall be
				cognizant that their first and foremost responsibility is to the public
				welfare.
b. Licensees shall approve
				and seal only those design documents that conform to accepted engineering
				standards and safeguard the life, health, property and welfare of the
				public.
c. Licensees shall notify
				their employer or client and such other authority as may be appropriate, when
				their professional judgement is overruled under circumstances where the life,
				health, property, or welfare of the public is endangered.
d. Licensees shall be objective and truthful
				in professional reports, statements or testimony. They shall include all
				relevant pertinent information in such reports, statements or
				testimony.
e. Licensees shall
				express a professional opinion publicly when it is founded upon an adequate
				knowledge of the facts and a competent evaluation of the subject
				matter.
f. Licensees shall issue no
				statements, criticisms or arguments on technical matters which are inspired or
				paid for by interested parties, unless they explicitly identify the interested
				parties on whose behalf they are speaking and reveal any interest they have in
				the matters.
g. Licensees shall not
				permit the use of their name by, nor associate in business ventures with, any
				person or firm which is engaged in fraudulent or dishonest business or
				professional practices.
h.
				Licensees having knowledge of possible violations of any part of the provisions
				of the Act or rules thereunder including this Code of Ethical Conduct shall
				provide the State Board information and assistance necessary to the final
				determination of such violation.
i.
				Licensees shall cooperate fully with the Complaint Committee and the Board, and
				shall promptly supply requested information to the Committee and the
				Board.
j. Licensees shall follow a
				program of continuing education as may be necessary to maintain their currency
				and competence.