CCPDT certificants are held accountable to the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics and related conduct policies through our formal ethics complaint process. This process protects the public, supports fairness, and upholds the integrity of CCPDT credentials.
Filing a Complaint
Any individual may file an ethics complaint against a CCPDT certificant if they believe a violation of the CCPDT Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.
The complainant must identify themselves by full name and provide accurate contact information. Anonymous complaints are not accepted. Identifying information is shared only with those directly involved in handling the complaint, such as the Executive Director, members of the Certification Compliance Committee, and the respondent, as outlined in the CCPDT Certification Compliance and Disciplinary Procedures.
Administrative Review
Once a complaint is received, the Certification Compliance Committee Chair confirms the respondent’s credentialing status and ensures that the matter falls within CCPDT’s jurisdiction. If the respondent is not a current, the complaint will be closed and the complainant will be notified.
Preliminary Assessment
If the respondent holds a CCPDT credential, a Complaint Review Panel is convened to evaluate whether the complaint presents a potential ethics or conduct violation.
During this review, the panel considers factors such as:
- The clarity and credibility of the evidence submitted
- The seriousness of the alleged violation
- The complainant’s relationship to the incident
- How the alleged conduct may violate CCPDT’s ethical standards
The panel may either dismiss the complaint or advance it to a formal investigation. If dismissed, the complainant will be notified; the respondent will not be informed of the submission.
Formal Investigation and Respondent Notification
If the complaint moves forward, the respondent is notified and provided with a summary of the allegations and supporting evidence. The respondent has an opportunity to submit a written response and provide additional context or documentation.
The Complaint Review Panel evaluates all information and determines whether a violation occurred. If a violation is confirmed, the panel recommends an appropriate sanction.
Final Determination
The panel’s findings and recommendations are submitted to the CCPDT Executive Committee for final review and approval. The Executive Committee may approve the recommendations or return them to the panel for further consideration.
Sanctions may include:
- A written reprimand
- Corrective education or remediation
- Suspension of certification
- Revocation of certification
Appeals
If a respondent disagrees with the outcome, they may submit a written appeal. Appeals are reviewed by a Hearing Panel, consisting of members of the CCPDT Board of Directors and the Ethics Team, who are not involved in the original review.
Cooperation Requirement
CCPDT certificants are required to fully cooperate in any ethics investigation. Failure to participate or respond in good faith may result in disciplinary action, including suspension or revocation of certification, regardless of the outcome of the original complaint.