F.R.C.A. Code of Professional Ethics 

The First Responders Chaplain Association (F.R.C.A.) is dedicated to serving with unwavering honesty, integrity, and dependability. As an organization committed to excellence, we hold ourselves and our chaplains to the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct. Through the F.R.C.A. Institute of Chaplaincy, chaplains receive ongoing training, development, and support. Through the Board of Chaplaincy Certification, chaplains are evaluated and certified for trustworthy and competent service.

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Because certification is a privilege, it carries significant ethical responsibilities. Our Board of Directors has therefore adopted a clear Code of Professional Ethics that reflects our core values. Every chaplain serving under F.R.C.A. is expected to uphold this code with consistency and humility. Those who seek help from F.R.C.A. chaplains can depend on interactions rooted in integrity, honesty, respect, and professional care.

The purpose of the F.R.C.A. Code of Ethics—and the processes that support it—is to protect the well-being of both the chaplains and the communities they serve. These guidelines do not exist to shield the association from scrutiny, but rather to ensure responsible, ethical, and transparent chaplaincy. They provide a compass for ethical behavior and a pathway for accountability whenever standards are compromised.

Ethical conduct is a matter of justice. Maintaining honest self-awareness, being clear about one’s professional role, respecting personal and professional boundaries, and entering into compassionate pastoral relationships are essential to the public trust. F.R.C.A. therefore approaches ethics with a restorative mindset. When concerns arise, every story is heard, and every person involved is treated with fairness and dignity. Should disciplinary action become necessary, the goal is not punishment, but restoration—helping individuals return to healthy, ethical practice whenever possible.

The F.R.C.A. Code of Ethics is the result of thoughtful reflection, careful discernment, and the shared belief that chaplains must embody the highest standards of moral responsibility. It serves as both a guide and an affirmation of our commitment to trustworthy, dependable chaplaincy. The First Responders Chaplain Association stands alongside each certified chaplain and candidate, supporting them as they strive to serve with honor, integrity, and ethical excellence.