Last updated: November 4, 2026
Mechanical engineering, inspection, maintenance and related disciplines directly affect the safety of people, property and the environment. The International Institute of Mechanical Engineering ("IIME") expects every candidate, certificate holder, member, examiner and accredited training center to uphold the highest standards of professional conduct. Acceptance of this Code is a condition of IIME certification.
1. Public Safety and Welfare
Certificate holders shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public, colleagues and the environment in the performance of their professional duties. In particular, they shall:
- refuse to approve, sign or certify work that does not conform to applicable codes, standards or specifications;
- report conditions they believe endanger life, health or property to the appropriate responsible party and, where necessary, to the relevant authority; and
- comply with all applicable health, safety and environmental laws and procedures.
2. Competence
Certificate holders shall:
- perform services only within the scope of their certification and their actual competence;
- not represent themselves as holding a certification, level or qualification they do not hold;
- maintain and develop their knowledge and skills throughout their careers; and
- seek appropriate guidance or decline assignments where they lack the necessary expertise.
3. Honesty and Integrity
Certificate holders shall act with honesty and integrity in all professional dealings. They shall:
- record and report inspection results, test data and findings truthfully, completely and objectively;
- never falsify, alter or suppress records, reports or results;
- make no false or misleading statements about their qualifications, experience or certifications; and
- issue professional opinions only when they are founded on adequate knowledge and honest conviction.
4. Objectivity and Conflicts of Interest
Certificate holders shall avoid conflicts of interest wherever possible and disclose to employers or clients any unavoidable circumstances that could influence, or appear to influence, their judgment. They shall not accept gifts, payments or favors that could compromise their objectivity.
5. Confidentiality
Certificate holders shall respect the confidentiality of information obtained in the course of their work, including proprietary technical information and personal data, and shall not disclose it without proper authorization unless required by law or to protect public safety.
6. Respect and Fair Treatment
Certificate holders shall treat colleagues, clients, candidates and the public with respect and dignity. They shall not engage in harassment, discrimination or bullying on any basis, and shall foster inclusive and safe workplaces.
7. Integrity of the Certification Process
Candidates and certificate holders shall:
- comply with all examination rules and the Examination Integrity & Anti-Fraud Policy;
- not disclose, reproduce, share or solicit examination content, whether before, during or after an examination;
- provide truthful information in all applications to IIME;
- use IIME certificates and marks only as permitted by the Certification Policy; and
- notify IIME promptly of any matter that may affect their ability to meet certification requirements.
8. Responsibilities of Trainers, Examiners and Training Centers
Trainers, examiners and accredited training centers shall deliver training and assessments honestly and fairly, shall never guarantee examination outcomes, and shall comply with IIME's Impartiality & Conflict of Interest Policy and Training Center Accreditation Policy.
9. Professional Reputation
Certificate holders shall conduct themselves in a manner that upholds the reputation of their profession and of IIME, and shall not knowingly associate with or assist any person or organization engaged in fraudulent or dishonest practices.
10. Reporting Violations
Anyone who becomes aware of a possible breach of this Code is encouraged to report it using the contact details published on our Contact page. Reports may be made confidentially. IIME prohibits retaliation against anyone who reports a concern in good faith.
11. Enforcement
Alleged breaches are investigated fairly, and the individual concerned is given an opportunity to respond. Depending on the seriousness of the breach, sanctions may include a written warning, a requirement for additional training, suspension or withdrawal of certification, and a bar on future applications for a defined period. Decisions may be appealed under the Appeals & Complaints Policy.