Chapter 01. Code of Ethics for the Practice of Professional Land Surveying and Property Line Surveying

In the Code of Ethics, the following words have the meaning indicated.

Terms Defined.

A licensee may not make statements or reports, or give expert testimony, on land-surveying matters connected with public policy, if the licensee’s remarks are inspired by or paid for by an interested party, unless the licensee precedes the remarks by identifying himself or herself, by disclosing the identity of the party on whose behalf the licensee is speaking, and by revealing the existence of any pecuniary interest the licensee has in the matter.

A licensee may express publicly a professional opinion on a land-surveying subject only when that opinion is founded upon adequate knowledge of the material facts and a background of technical competence in the subject matter.

In a professional report, statement, or testimony, a licensee may not be untruthful or deceptive.

A licensee may undertake or perform land-surveying assignments only when qualified to do so by education or experience, or both, in the specific field of land surveying involved.

A licensee may affix the licensee’s signature or seal to land surveying documents only if:

A licensee shall avoid conflicts of interest with the licensee’s employer or client. Whenever conflicts of interest appear unavoidable, however, the licensee shall disclose promptly and fully all the circumstances to the employer or client.

A licensee shall promptly inform the licensee’s employer or client of any business association, interests, or circumstances which may influence the licensee’s judgment or the quality of services to the licensee’s employer or client.

A licensee may not accept compensation, financial or other, from more than one party for services on a project or for services pertaining to a project, unless the licensee makes full disclosure to all interested parties.

A licensee may not solicit or accept financial or other valuable consideration from any material supplier or equipment supplier for specifying the supplier's products, except when the licensee is a previously announced employee or agent of the supplier.

A licensee may not solicit or accept gratuities, directly or indirectly, from any contractor, architect, engineer, professional land surveyor or property line surveyor, or other party dealing with the licensee’s employer or client in connection with work for which the licensee is responsible.

Other than the usual commissions paid to licensed employment agencies, a licensee may not compensate, give anything of value, or offer to compensate or give anything of value, as follows:

When competing for professional employment, a licensee may not falsify or permit misrepresentation of the licensee’s qualifications or those of the licensee' associates.

An employed licensee may not solicit or accept other employment to the detriment of the licensee’s regular work or the interests of the licensee’s employer.

An applicant or licensee shall respond in writing to a written communication from the Board within 30 days of the date of mailing.

The Board shall send a written communication by first-class mail to the last known address furnished to the Board by an applicant or licensee.

It is a responsibility of an applicant or licensee to notify the Board in writing if there has been a change in applicant’s or licensee’s address.

Failure to respond as required by this regulation may be considered by the Board to be a violation of Business Occupations and Professions Article, §15-317(a)(1)(v), Annotated Code of Maryland.