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AOTA-S1 — Standards of Conduct 1: Professional Integrity — Responsibility and Accountability

AOTA Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics (2025) · Reference for OTs, OTAs, and OT students · Source: AOTA

What does AOTA-S1 say?

Occupational therapy personnel maintain awareness and comply with AOTA policies and Official Documents, current laws and regulations that are relevant to the profession of occupational therapy, and employer policies and procedures. Standards include: 1A. Comply with AOTA policies, AOTA Official Documents, and current federal or state laws that apply to the profession. 1B. Abide by policies, procedures, and protocols when serving or acting on behalf of a professional organization or employer. 1C. Inform employers, employees, colleagues, students, and researchers of applicable policies, laws, and AOTA Official Documents. 1D. Provide transparency through all written communications and provide relevant disclosures when participating in business arrangements. 1E. Do not engage in illegal actions that harm partners in occupational therapy practice. 1F. Do not engage in actions that reduce the public's trust. 1I. Do not exploit human, financial, or material resources, or any relationship established as a practitioner, educator, or researcher. 1J. Do not engage in conflicts of interest or conflicts of commitment. 1K. Do not use one's position or knowledge gained from that position to give rise to real or perceived conflict of interest. 1L. Do not barter for services when there is potential for exploitation and conflict of interest. 1M. Conduct and disseminate research in accordance with currently accepted ethical guidelines for the protection of research participants, including informed consent and disclosure of potential risks and benefits.

Official source: read the full text in the AOTA Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics (2025) (official document).

Related sections

AOTA-COMMON-ETHICAL-ISSUES — AOTA Advisory: Common Ethical Issues in Occupational Therapy PracticeAOTA-CORE — AOTA 2025 Core ValuesAOTA-DOCUMENTATION-BILLING — AOTA Advisory: Ethical Documentation and Billing PracticesAOTA-ENFORCEMENT — AOTA Enforcement Procedures for the Code of Ethics (2021)AOTA-EQUITY-ACCESS — AOTA Advisory: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in OT EthicsAOTA-ETHICS-COMMISSION — AOTA Ethics Commission: Role and ResourcesAOTA-P1 — Principle 1: BeneficenceAOTA-P2 — Principle 2: Nonmaleficence
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