The Code of Ethics is a binding mechanism for all practitioners and applicants. The Ethics Review Panel handles any reported violations of the Code.
Every CPRRP in the certification program must sign and agree to uphold the code. This signature presumes that the signer has read the code and understands its principles and the consequences of violating it. The code must be signed at the time of application and at re-application.
Code of Ethics violation
Violation of the code of ethics by a CPRRP faces suspension or permanent revocation of the CPRRP credential. The same applies to CPRRP candidates for examination. The consequence of a revocation includes that you may or may not apply as a new candidate for CPRRP, and the Certification Committee will give reasonable terms and conditions that must be adhered to as a CPRRP.
Registering complaints
- Complaints about a member’s conduct must be submitted in writing to the Registrar, and the complaint will be dealt with through the following process.
- The Registrar shall review every complaint received. It must identify the code of ethics principle(s) that violated the place, date, and time of the occurrence, the people involved, and any witnesses to the event.
- The Registrar may attempt to resolve it informally if such an act is appropriate and/or direct the complainant to the correct venue should the matter in question not relate to the competency of the CPRRP.
- The person against whom a complaint is made is notified by email within three business days of receipt, and a written response from them to the Registrar is requested within 30 days. Failure of the CPRRP to respond within this period is considered unprofessional conduct and grounds for disciplinary action.
- Either party of the complainant or the accused, can request a face-to-face meeting, and all expenses will be at the cost of the party requesting the in-person meeting.
- The Registrar will provide copies of the complaint and response to the members of the Ethics Review Panel. The panel then has 30 days to review the complaint and request additional information from either party. Prior to the expiry of the 30 days, the panel will meet and discuss their findings.
Decisions of the ethics review panel
There are two outcomes of a complaint.
- The complaint is not valid and dismissed.
- The complaint is determined to be valid with one or more of the following consequences:
- The accused is informed that conditions are being placed on their certification and that they must cease unethical activity. S/he must enter into an agreement to accept and undertake the completion of a specified course of remedial study
- If the review panel enters into an agreement with a member or accepts a member’s undertaking for conditions of continued certification, the following actions may be taken;
- Periodic audits of maintenance of certification record
- Required reports to the Review panel or assigned member on specific issues
- Other conditions as deemed appropriate by the Review Panel.
- The accused is suspended from the CPRRP program for a specified amount of time (1 – 3 years) and may reapply for certification after the suspension.
- The accused’s certification is permanently involuntarily revoked. The practitioner may choose to voluntarily surrender her/his certification within two business days of being notified of the revocation.
- The suspension and revocation shall be publicized on the Registry’s website.
- Any other action that is not inconsistent with or contrary to the Practitioner Code of Ethics of PSR Canada
Process of Appeal
Decisions of the Ethics Review Panel may be appealed to the Appeal Review Panel of the Certification Committee (CC). The Appeal Review Panel shall consist of Certification Committee members appointed by the Chair of the CC and CPRRPs in good standing from the PSR Canada membership. The non-CC CPRRPs must outnumber the CC CPRRPs.
The revocation of the credential will be on hold until the appeal review panel’s final decision.
Appealable Actions
An action of “Not Approved” on either an initial application for the CPRRP or an application for Third-Year Renewal may be appealed where there is a finding of:
- Suspension or revocation of the CPRRP by an Ethics Review Panel;
- Failure to sign the Recovery Rehabilitation Practitioner Code of Ethics;
- Inaccurate and/or misleading information on the application.
Non-Appealable Actions
- Failure to meet eligibility or renewal requirements, including payment of fees.
- Failure to obtain a passing score on the requirements of the certification process
- Failure to complete the certification within the allotted period of time.
The submission of a letter of appeal by the appellant begins the appeal process. This must be done within 30 days of the not approved action. The letter from the appellant should include relevant facts of the matter, the action taken, the resolution requested, and any new information the appellant would like the Appeal Review Panel to consider. The Appeal Review Panel will notify the appellant within 90 days of the appeal letter of their decision in writing.
After reviewing all relevant facts and details, the Appeal Review Panel may find that the decision:
- Stands and was legitimate;
- Was legitimate, but terms of suspension and/or revocation will be adjusted; or
- Was not legitimate, and the requested alternative action be granted.
Hearing Not Required
The Ethics Review Panel is not required to hold a hearing or to give any person an opportunity to appear or to make formal submissions before making a decision related to discipline resulting from a submitted complaint.
Costs
The Ethics Review Panel may order the member to pay all or part of the costs incurred by the Panel in monitoring compliance with the conditions imposed on the practitioner’s registration. It may also order the member to pay all or part of the costs of investigating violations of the Code of Ethics.
Appeal Process
Candidates have the right to appeal any portion of the CPRRP designation process. All appeals must be in writing and submitted to the Chair of the Certification Committee. Each candidate’s application to become a certified practitioner will be given individual consideration.
The submission will be reviewed by three members of the Appeal Committee.
All members of the Appeal committee must sign a confidentiality agreement regarding the submission being considered.
The consideration of the submission will be based on a mandatory review process which will include:
- An appeal committee of one Board member and two general members of RPS Canada.
- A letter of statement stating their reasons for the appeal with direct reference to the relevant criteria
- An investigation of all facts leading to the dismissal of the application by the Registrar.
- A conversation by the Chair of the Appeals committee with the applicant regarding the outcome of the investigation and further data collection.
- Notice of outcome to applicant within two weeks of the conversation with the Chair of the Appeals committee.