A Professional Commitment to Protect, Serve and Advise with Integrity

NPRA has established a Code of Ethics that NPRA agent members nationally pledge to abide by when serving their senior clients and their families. Through the Code of Ethics, NPRA prescribes a higher level of professionalism and standard of care from its members to ensure seniors and their families have access to resources and reliable knowledge when seeking quality senior housing options.

The NPRA Code of Ethics governs the ethical and professional conduct of NPRA agents, affiliates and Certified Placement & Referral Specialists (CPRS) when working with clients, the public and healthcare professionals.

NPRA agents and CPRS certification holders make a professional commitment to follow this Code of Ethics. Although NPRA does not guarantee or track compliance, NPRA investigates allegations of violations when received and takes appropriate disciplinary actions.

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Articles of the Code of Ethics

Article I

An NPRA agent, affiliate or CPRS-certified agent shall be guided by the NPRA’s Code of Ethics whether working with clients, the public, or other healthcare professionals.

Article II

The needs of the client shall always be the primary consideration for any referral made by an NPRA or CPRS-certified agent.

Article III

An NPRA agent or CPRS-certified agent shall provide safe and effective guidance to families in need.

Article IV

An NPRA agent or CPRS-certified agent shall provide equal and fair treatment to all clients, fellow NPRA professionals and other non-members in the industry.

Article V

An NPRA agent or CPRS-certified agent shall observe all applicable local, state and federal laws governing placement and referral. This includes, but is not limited to, Medicare and Medicaid policies regarding vendor visitation, gifting and compensation for referrals. An agent will neither compensate nor pay an employee of these organizations for a referral.

Article VI

An NPRA agent or CPRS-certified agent shall advise the client without pressure or coercion.

Article VII

An NPRA agent or CPRS-certified agent shall report any witnessed incidents of elder abuse or suspected abuse to the appropriate authorities.

Article VIII

An NPRA agent or CPRS-certified agent shall respect the right of the senior care provider to perform an independent assessment before accepting a prospective resident. An NPRA agent or CPRS-certified agent shall not pressure or inappropriately influence a property to accept any client.

Article IX

An NPRA agent or CPRS-certified agent shall not engage in ‘churning’, which is defined as relocating a client previously placed by that agent for additional economic gain. Only a client, client representative or the property – and not an NPRA agent or CPRS-certified agent – should initiate such a relocation. If consulted, an NPRA agent or CPRS-certified agent shall encourage all parties to work to keep the resident in place and relocate only if it is in the best interests of the resident.

Article X

Any person representing themselves as a CPRS-certified agent shall complete CEU credits and any other requirements determined by the NPRA for maintaining certification.

Article XI

An NPRA agent or CPRS-certified agent shall maintain confidentiality of client information and use it only in manners permitted by the client and allowed by law.

Article XII

An NPRA agent or CPRS-certified agent shall be knowledgeable about state laws and regulations impacting senior placement decisions, including but not limited to, those regarding residency agreements, refund policies, behavioral placements, and caregiver and manager training.

Article XIII

An NPRA agent or CPRS-certified agent shall be knowledgeable about senior industry resources in the regions they serve.

Article XIV

An NPRA agent or CPRS-certified agent shall refer out clients whose needs fall outside the agent’s expertise.

Article XV

An NPRA agent or CPRS-certified agent shall assist with the investigation by NPRA of any grievances lodged against the NPRA agent or CPRS-certified agent with respect to the Code of Ethics and shall respect any disciplinary actions that are taken.

Article XVI

Any punitive action taken against an NPRA agent, affiliate or CPRS-certified agent by any local or state regulating authority FOR ANY ACTIONS WHICH OCCURRED AFTER THEIR ORIGINAL OR CURRENT MEMBERSHIP DATE may be submitted by a member or non-member to the national ethics committee for review of the person’s membership or certification.