Code of Ethics
Edition: October 10, 2026
Trust is a professional obligation
ILA’s proposed Code of Ethics sets an expectation of responsible practice for applicants and members. It supports, but does not replace, applicable law, licensing requirements, employment responsibilities or contractual obligations. Membership is not a government license or a blanket guarantee of competence.
Lawful authority
Establish a reasonable, documented basis for a customer’s authority before performing security-sensitive work. Distinguish identity from permission. Pause disputed, coercive or suspicious requests and escalate appropriately. Never knowingly assist unlawful entry, unauthorized key issuance or misuse of access credentials.
Honest representation
Describe qualifications, experience, membership and certifications accurately. Do not imply that membership is certification, that an application is approval, or that a registered mailing address is a staffed service office. Avoid fabricated reviews, misleading lead prices, false affiliations and unsupported guarantees.
Competence and safety
Work within demonstrated competence, maintain appropriate credentials and continue learning. Follow applicable life-safety and accessibility requirements. Seek qualified assistance when a task exceeds your authority or expertise. Do not trade safe egress, responsible verification or customer protection for convenience.
Fair dealing and confidentiality
Explain scope, pricing assumptions and material changes before work is performed. Protect customer information, key-system records and security credentials. Limit access to those who need it, avoid unnecessary retention and handle incidents responsibly. Respect colleagues and customers without harassment or unlawful discrimination.
Accountability
Maintain records appropriate to the work and address complaints honestly. Report material inaccuracies in your membership profile and cooperate with reasonable ILA inquiries. Alleged violations may lead to review, restrictions or termination under the Membership Terms, with an opportunity to respond where appropriate. This code does not create an independent arbitration service or a promise to compensate every customer dispute.