ACQP Code of Conduct.

Status and scope

This Code forms part of the conditions of ACQP membership. It applies to every membership grade and to conduct carried out in person, in writing, online, through social media or while representing a business, project or ACQP. Relevant provisions also apply to applicants, former members and corporate members where the context requires.

Members must follow this Code alongside the law, their employment and contractual duties, health and safety obligations, building and fire safety requirements, other professional-body rules and any grade-specific ACQP regulations. This Code does not replace any of those duties.

Publishing this Code does not make ACQP a statutory regulator. ACQP may assess membership status and take action under its own membership arrangements, but it does not replace the powers of courts, public authorities, regulators, employers or other professional bodies.

Core professional duties

Members should challenge unsafe, unlawful, unethical or seriously defective practice through an appropriate route. A concern must be raised responsibly, in good faith and with regard to evidence, confidentiality, personal safety and any protected disclosure procedure that applies.

Conduct in practice

An ACQP member must:

• provide services with reasonable care, skill, diligence and appropriate supervision;
• be clear about the limits of their competence, authority, evidence and professional opinion;
• maintain accurate project, inspection, quality, learning and professional records;
• respect confidentiality, intellectual property, personal data and lawful information-security controls;
• avoid bribery, corruption, collusion, fraud, plagiarism, improper gifts and undisclosed inducements;
• communicate in a way that is accurate, professional and not abusive or deliberately misleading;
• take reasonable steps to correct a material error or misunderstanding for which they are responsible;
• cooperate with lawful audits, investigations and requests for membership verification;
• support the development of colleagues and learners without exploiting a position of trust; and
• take reasonable account of environmental, social and whole-life consequences relevant to their work.

Matters that must be disclosed to ACQP

A member must notify ACQP promptly, and normally within 28 calendar days, of a criminal conviction, regulatory finding, professional disciplinary outcome, disqualification or other serious matter that may reasonably affect their fitness for membership or the reputation attached to an ACQP designation. Minor road traffic matters need not normally be reported unless relevant to the member’s professional role.

Membership regulations

Applicants and members must provide complete and accurate information. Qualifications, experience, references, CPD, employment, identity and supporting evidence may be checked before admission, upgrade, renewal or audit.

To remain in good standing, a member must:

• meet the eligibility requirements of their approved grade;
• pay subscriptions and other agreed membership charges when due;
• complete and record the applicable CPD requirement;
• keep contact, employment and relevant professional-status information reasonably current;
• comply with this Code and any membership or benefit conditions;
• respond within a reasonable time to legitimate ACQP communications; and
• use ACQP credentials only as authorised.

Admission or renewal is not an unconditional lifetime entitlement. ACQP may review a grade or membership status where eligibility is no longer met, evidence is found to be inaccurate, fees remain unpaid or a member is subject to a conduct decision. Any material adverse decision will use the relevant fair procedure in this Code.

Member benefits and portal access are personal and non-transferable unless ACQP expressly states otherwise. Resignation does not prevent ACQP from completing an investigation into conduct that occurred while the person was a member. A lapsed, resigned, suspended or expelled member must comply with the credential rules in section 10.

Continuing Professional Development

Practising ACQP members are expected to complete a minimum of 25 hours of relevant CPD in each membership year, unless ACQP has confirmed a different requirement or reasonable adjustment in writing for the member’s grade or circumstances.

Relevant activity may include structured courses, qualifications, webinars, technical meetings, mentoring, supervised learning, research, standards review, presentations, authorship and reflective learning. A balanced record should, where relevant to the member’s work, address construction quality, legislation and standards, building and fire safety, ethics, leadership, communication, digital practice, sustainability and equality, diversity and inclusion.

Recording and evidence

The member’s CPD record should state the date, activity, provider or source, learning category, hours claimed, learning outcome, reflection and supporting evidence. Records should be updated throughout the year, submitted or confirmed at renewal where required and normally retained for at least three membership years.

ACQP may audit a proportion of CPD records. A member selected for audit must provide the requested record and reasonable supporting evidence. Where a genuine shortfall is identified, ACQP may agree a time-limited improvement plan. Persistent non-compliance, refusal to cooperate or deliberate falsification may lead to disciplinary action.

Raising a conduct complaint

Anyone may raise a concern that an ACQP member has breached this Code. A conduct complaint is different from a general service complaint, payment query or disagreement about a commercial contract, although the same facts may involve more than one route.

A complaint should normally be made in writing and include:

• the complainant’s name and contact details;
• the member’s name and, if known, membership number;
• a clear description of the alleged conduct, relevant dates and locations;
• the section of this Code thought to be relevant, if known;
• copies of documents, photographs, correspondence or other available evidence; and
• details of any court, employer, regulator, police or other professional-body process.

ACQP may consider an anonymous complaint where the evidence indicates a serious public-interest, safety or integrity risk, but anonymity can limit the investigation. ACQP may decline a complaint that is outside its remit, unsupported, trivial, abusive, malicious, excessively delayed without good reason, or better decided by another authority.

Investigation and discipline

ACQP will use a proportionate process that is fair to the complainant, the member and the public interest. The precise steps may be adapted to the seriousness and complexity of the case, but the member will ordinarily know the substance of the allegation and have a reasonable opportunity to respond.

Interim protective action

Where credible information indicates a serious and immediate risk to the public, evidence, ACQP systems or the integrity of membership, ACQP may temporarily restrict a badge, listing, portal or membership privilege while enquiries continue. This is a protective measure, not a finding of misconduct, and must be reviewed regularly.

Possible outcomes

Where a breach is proved, ACQP will consider seriousness, harm, intent, insight, cooperation, remediation, repetition and any relevant previous finding. Outcomes may include:

• no further action or dismissal of the allegation;
• advice, an improvement notice or a formal warning;
• required CPD, mentoring, supervision, correction or a written undertaking;
• conditions on membership, credential use or renewal;
• temporary suspension;
• withdrawal or reduction of a membership grade or credential; or
• expulsion from ACQP.

An outcome must be proportionate. ACQP may pause its process where criminal, regulatory, civil or employment proceedings could be prejudiced, and may share information with a competent authority where lawful and necessary.

Disciplinary appeals

A member may appeal a disciplinary finding or sanction by writing to ACQP within 21 calendar days of the outcome notice. The appeal must identify the decision challenged, the grounds relied upon and the result sought.

An appeal is a review, not an automatic rehearing. Permitted grounds are:

• a material procedural error or unfairness that may have affected the decision;
• a finding that was not reasonably open on the evidence;
• new material evidence that could not reasonably have been supplied earlier;
• a sanction that is clearly disproportionate to the finding; or
• a material conflict of interest or apparent bias.

So far as reasonably practicable, the appeal will be considered by a person or panel not previously involved. The appeal decision may confirm, vary or revoke a finding or sanction, or return the matter for reconsideration. Written reasons will be provided and the appeal decision is final within ACQP’s internal process.

An appeal does not normally suspend a protective interim measure unless the appeal reviewer decides otherwise. External legal, contractual or regulatory rights are not affected.

Membership application appeals

An applicant who is refused membership, refused an upgrade or offered a different grade may request reasons and lodge an appeal within 21 calendar days of the decision.

The appeal must explain one or more of the following:

• material evidence submitted on time was overlooked or misunderstood;
• the published criteria were materially misapplied;
• there was a significant procedural error or relevant conflict of interest; or
• important new evidence could not reasonably have been obtained before the decision.

New qualifications or experience gained after the original decision will normally support a new application rather than an appeal. Mere disagreement with professional judgement is not, by itself, a ground of appeal.

An appeal will be reviewed by a suitably competent person not responsible for the original decision, where practicable. They may uphold the decision, change the grade, request further assessment or return the application for reconsideration. ACQP will provide a written outcome with brief reasons. That outcome is final for the application concerned, but it does not prevent a later application when the requirements are met.

Applicants may request accessible information, a reasonable adjustment or a representative’s support. No applicant will be disadvantaged for raising a genuine appeal in good faith.

Post-nominals, badges and certificates

ACQP post-nominals, member badges and certificates communicate a defined membership status. They must be used accurately so that employers, clients and the public are not misled.

• Use only the post-nominal expressly awarded for your current grade, in its exact approved form. Examples include MACQP and FACQP where awarded.
• Use post-nominals after your name and do not combine or alter letters in a way that implies another status.
• Use only current ACQP artwork and follow any size, colour, clear-space and verification guidance supplied with it.
• Do not edit a digital badge, transfer it to another person, place it against misleading wording or use it to imply ACQP approval of a project, product, employer or service.
• Do not describe ACQP membership as a statutory licence, regulated title, chartered status or guarantee of competence where that is not the case.
• Corporate membership does not grant individual post-nominals to employees unless those individuals hold an eligible membership grade in their own right.
• Historic certificates may be retained as records, but must not be displayed in a way that suggests current membership after membership ends.

Members should report suspected misuse of ACQP credentials. ACQP may request correction, notify a relevant platform or organisation, and take proportionate steps to protect its name, marks and public trust.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

ACQP is committed to fair access, dignity, respect and inclusion in membership, learning and professional practice. We do not tolerate unlawful discrimination, harassment or victimisation related to age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Our commitment also recognises barriers connected with neurodiversity, caring responsibilities, socioeconomic background, language, geography, working pattern and other personal circumstances. These additional commitments complement the protections provided by law.

Members are expected to:

• treat colleagues, learners, clients, contractors, communities and members of the public fairly and respectfully;
• make professional decisions using relevant evidence and objective criteria;
• challenge exclusionary, bullying or discriminatory conduct through an appropriate route;
• consider accessibility and diverse user needs in communication, learning and professional work;
• make or support reasonable adjustments where required; and
• avoid language, imagery or behaviour that degrades, intimidates or excludes others.

ACQP will aim to make membership, CPD, complaint and appeal procedures accessible; consider reasonable adjustments; manage declared conflicts; and base decisions on published standards and relevant evidence. Raising a discrimination or inclusion concern in good faith must not lead to retaliation.

Confidentiality and publication

ACQP will handle conduct and appeal information with appropriate care and in accordance with its privacy obligations. Information may be shared with the parties, decision-makers, advisers, witnesses, insurers, service providers or competent authorities where necessary and lawful.

Absolute confidentiality cannot be promised. Fair investigation may require an allegation or evidence to be put to the member, and safeguarding, safety, crime or legal obligations may require disclosure. Participants must not misuse confidential case information, intimidate witnesses or attempt to influence evidence.

ACQP may publish a disciplinary outcome where this is lawful, accurate, necessary and proportionate to protect the public, maintain trust or correct a misleading claim of membership. Publication will normally take account of the appeal period, privacy, the seriousness of the finding and the needs of affected third parties.

Records will be retained for an appropriate period having regard to the nature of the matter, possible recurrence, legal obligations, limitation periods and ACQP’s legitimate governance needs.

Review, interpretation and contact

ACQP may review this Code to reflect changes in law, construction standards, professional practice and membership services. The current version and review date will be published on this page. A material change will not normally be used to judge conduct that occurred before the change, unless the same duty already applied under law or another binding requirement.

Questions of interpretation and procedure will be decided reasonably, consistently and in keeping with the purpose of the Code. A minor procedural departure will not invalidate an outcome unless it caused material unfairness.