Professional Codes of Ethics
Standards governing professional conduct — and how to file a complaint when those standards are violated
The Professional Covenant
Every licensed profession operates under a code of ethics — a formal statement of the standards of conduct that members of that profession are obligated to uphold. These codes exist because professional relationships are not ordinary relationships. They are built on a foundation of trust, vulnerability, and power imbalance that creates special obligations for the professional and special risks for the client.
Without exception, the codes of ethics governing every major profession explicitly prohibit sexual contact between a professional and a current client. Most also address sexual contact with former clients, recognizing that the power imbalance created by the professional relationship does not simply end when the formal relationship does.
When a professional violates their code of ethics, survivors have the right to file a complaint with the relevant licensing board or professional association. A licensing board complaint is independent of — and can proceed alongside — a civil lawsuit or criminal report. It does not require an attorney, and in most cases there is no statute of limitations.
Jump to a Profession
Mental Health Professionals
Psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, licensed counselors, social workers, marriage and family therapists
Governing Bodies
Ethics Code
APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct
Section 10.05 — Sexual Intimacies with Current Therapy Clients/Patients
"Psychologists do not engage in sexual intimacies with current therapy clients/patients. [Section 10.06] Psychologists do not engage in sexual intimacies with individuals they know to be close relatives, guardians, or significant others of current clients/patients. [Section 10.08] Psychologists do not engage in sexual intimacies with former clients/patients for at least two years after cessation or termination of therapy. Psychologists do not engage in sexual intimacies with former clients/patients even after a two-year interval except in the most unusual circumstances."Read the full code →
Former Clients
The APA prohibits sexual contact with former clients for a minimum of two years after termination, and states that even after two years such contact is presumed unethical unless the psychologist can demonstrate extraordinary circumstances. Many state licensing boards impose stricter or permanent prohibitions.
How to File a Complaint
Each state has a licensing board that can investigate complaints and revoke or suspend a psychologist's license. See our state-by-state Psychology Boards directory for contact information.
The APA Ethics Committee can investigate complaints against APA members and impose sanctions including expulsion from the APA.
Possible Consequences
License suspension or revocation, required supervision or remedial training, expulsion from professional associations, civil liability, and criminal prosecution in states with specific statutes.
Medical Professionals
Physicians, psychiatrists, nurses, physical therapists, chiropractors, home health aides
Governing Bodies
Ethics Code
AMA Code of Medical Ethics — Opinion 9.1.1
Opinion 9.1.1 — Romantic or Sexual Relationships with Patients
"Romantic or sexual interactions between physicians and patients that occur concurrently with the patient-physician relationship are unethical. Such interactions detract from the goals of the patient-physician relationship, may exploit the vulnerability of the patient, may obscure the physician's objective judgment concerning the patient's health care, and ultimately may be harmful to the patient's well-being. Romantic or sexual relationships with former patients are also potentially problematic. The intense trust that patients place in their physicians, combined with the power differential inherent in the physician-patient relationship, may persist after the formal relationship has ended."Read the full code →
Former Clients
The AMA recognizes that the power differential inherent in the physician-patient relationship may persist after the formal relationship ends. Many state medical boards impose prohibitions on sexual contact with former patients for defined periods, and some impose permanent prohibitions for certain specialties (particularly psychiatry).
How to File a Complaint
Every state has a medical licensing board that investigates complaints of physician misconduct. The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) maintains a directory of all state boards.
Complaints against nurses are filed with the state nursing board. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) maintains a directory.
Possible Consequences
License revocation or suspension, mandatory reporting to the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB), civil liability, and criminal prosecution in states with specific statutes.
Clergy and Religious Leaders
Ministers, priests, rabbis, pastors, imams, spiritual directors, deacons, chaplains
Governing Bodies
Ethics Code
AAPC Code of Ethics
Section III.D — Sexual Conduct
"Pastoral counselors do not engage in sexual misconduct with their clients. Sexual misconduct includes, but is not limited to, sexual intercourse or genital contact, sexual solicitation, physical advances, or verbal or nonverbal conduct that is sexual in nature and that occurs in connection with the pastoral counseling relationship. Pastoral counselors are aware of their influential position with respect to clients, and they avoid exploiting the trust and dependency of such persons. Pastoral counselors therefore make every effort to avoid dual relationships with clients that could impair professional judgment or increase the risk of exploitation."Read the full code →
Former Clients
Most denominational ethics codes and pastoral counseling ethics standards recognize that the spiritual authority and trust inherent in the pastoral relationship do not end when formal counseling ends. Many impose permanent prohibitions on sexual contact with former counselees.
How to File a Complaint
Each denomination has its own reporting and disciplinary process. SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) can provide guidance on navigating denominational complaint processes.
For pastoral counselors who are AAPC members, complaints may be filed with the AAPC Ethics Committee.
An increasing number of states have enacted laws specifically criminalizing sexual exploitation by clergy. Criminal reports may be filed with local law enforcement.
Possible Consequences
Removal from ministry, defrocking, expulsion from denominational bodies, civil liability, and criminal prosecution in states with specific clergy exploitation statutes.
Attorneys
Lawyers, legal advocates, public defenders, legal aid attorneys
Governing Bodies
Ethics Code
ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct — Rule 1.8(j)
Rule 1.8(j) — Prohibited Transactions: Sexual Relations with Clients
"A lawyer shall not have sexual relations with a client unless a consensual sexual relationship existed between them when the client-lawyer relationship commenced. [Comment 17] The relationship between lawyer and client is almost always unequal; thus, a sexual relationship between lawyer and client can involve unfair exploitation of the lawyer's fiduciary role, in violation of the lawyer's basic ethical obligation not to use the trust of the client to the client's disadvantage."Read the full code →
Former Clients
The ABA Model Rules do not specify a post-termination prohibition, but many state bar rules impose one. The power imbalance created by the attorney-client relationship — particularly in cases involving divorce, custody, or criminal defense — is recognized as persisting after the formal relationship ends.
How to File a Complaint
Complaints against attorneys are filed with the state bar association's disciplinary authority. The ABA maintains a directory of state bar disciplinary agencies.
Possible Consequences
Disbarment, suspension, public reprimand, required supervision or ethics training, civil liability, and in some states criminal prosecution.
Educators
Teachers, professors, coaches, tutors, school counselors, academic advisors
Governing Bodies
Ethics Code
NEA Code of Ethics of the Education Profession
Principle I — Commitment to the Student
"The educator strives to stimulate the spirit of inquiry, the acquisition of knowledge and understanding, and the thoughtful formulation of worthy goals. In fulfillment of the obligation to the student, the educator shall not use professional relationships with students for private advantage. The educator shall not engage in conduct that is harmful to the health, safety, or well-being of students. The educator shall not exploit professional relationships with students for personal gain or advantage."Read the full code →
Former Clients
For educators and minor students, the prohibition on sexual contact is absolute and permanent — there is no post-termination exception. For adult students, the power differential created by the academic relationship is recognized as persisting after the formal relationship ends.
How to File a Complaint
Initial complaints are typically filed with school administration or the school district. The district is required to investigate and report certain conduct to the state.
State departments of education can revoke or suspend a teacher's license. Contact information is available through the U.S. Department of Education.
Sexual contact between an educator and a minor is a criminal offense in every state. For adult students, exploitation may also be criminally actionable.
Possible Consequences
License revocation, termination of employment, mandatory reporting to state and national educator misconduct registries, civil liability, and criminal prosecution.
Law Enforcement
Police officers, detectives, corrections officers, probation officers, parole officers
Governing Bodies
Ethics Code
IACP Law Enforcement Code of Ethics
Law Enforcement Code of Ethics — Personal Conduct
"As a law enforcement officer, my fundamental duty is to serve the community; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the constitutional rights of all to liberty, equality, and justice. I will never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities, or friendships to influence my decisions. I will never employ unnecessary force or violence and will never accept gratuities. I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of the police service."Read the full code →
Former Clients
The coercive authority of a law enforcement officer — particularly over crime victims, people in custody, or individuals on probation or parole — is recognized as creating a power imbalance that makes genuine consent impossible in many circumstances.
How to File a Complaint
Complaints may be filed with the officer's department or its internal affairs division. Departments are required to investigate complaints of sexual misconduct.
Sexual misconduct by a law enforcement officer may constitute a civil rights violation. Complaints may be filed with the DOJ Civil Rights Division.
Many state attorneys general have authority to investigate law enforcement misconduct. The National Association of Attorneys General maintains a directory.
Possible Consequences
Termination of employment, decertification (loss of law enforcement certification), civil rights liability, and criminal prosecution — including under federal civil rights statutes.
Why File a Licensing Board Complaint?
A licensing board complaint is one of the most direct forms of accountability available to survivors of professional exploitation. Unlike a civil lawsuit, it does not require an attorney and typically has no statute of limitations. Unlike a criminal prosecution, it is initiated by the survivor — not by the state — and the survivor has direct standing in the process.
No attorney required
You can file a licensing board complaint yourself, without legal representation. Many boards have online complaint forms.
No statute of limitations
Most licensing boards have no statute of limitations for complaints involving sexual misconduct. You can file years or decades after the abuse occurred.
Public record
Disciplinary actions by licensing boards are typically public record. A sustained complaint creates a permanent record that protects future clients.
Can proceed alongside other actions
A licensing board complaint does not prevent you from also filing a civil lawsuit or a criminal report. These paths are not mutually exclusive.
Protects others
A professional who loses their license cannot continue to harm other clients. Filing a complaint is an act of protection for future survivors.
Validation
A sustained complaint is an official finding that what happened to you was wrong and violated professional standards. For many survivors, this validation matters deeply.
Related Resources
Psychology Boards
State-by-state psychology licensing board directory
State Laws
Statutes of limitations and SOL reform by state
Litigation Issues
Civil lawsuit process, defenses, and institutional liability
Find an Attorney
How to find an attorney experienced in exploitation cases
Professional Exploitation
Why consent is not a defense and the professional's duty of care
Victim Advocates
National survivor organizations and legal advocacy groups
*Note: Information provided here does not represent legal advice. Ethics codes and licensing board procedures change over time — always verify current standards with the relevant professional association or licensing board. AdvocateWeb makes no warranty as to the accuracy or currency of the information on this page. If you face a specific legal situation, you should consult a licensed attorney to evaluate your circumstances.