The USPTA Code of Ethics

The U.St. Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) has a large membership of tennis professionals who have voluntarily joined the organization and, in so doing, agreed to abide by the rules and regulations of the group. In order to guide the conduct of its members and uphold the association’s standards, the USPTA has established a code of ethics.

  1. USPTA

    • The USPTA has been in existence since 1927. It is made up of more that 15,000 professionals involved in the business of providing tennis instruction. The members of the USPTA can have a variety of job titles. These include tennis teacher, tennis coach, general manager, director of tennis, assistant professional and recreational coach. The association provides its members with many benefits, including professional certification achieved through testing and training that shows their clients that they are accomplished in their field.

    USPTA Membership

    • Membership in the USPTA is limited to those who are employed full- or part-time in the tennis-teaching field. Those desiring membership must fill out an application listing references, relevant work experience and playing experience and they must agree to abide by the USPTA’s code of ethics. After submitting the application, the prospective member must then study the USPTA’s certification review course material. The applicant must pass the certification test in order to obtain full membership and accreditation from the association.

    Code of Ethics

    • The USPTA code of ethics states that, “The association expects its members to be of good character, to treat the public honestly and fairly and to treat their fellow members in the tennis-teaching profession in the same way.” If a member is accused of an ethics violation, the complaint will be taken before an ethics committee. The committee has the authority to take certain limited actions. This could include dismissing the complaint as unfounded or acting as a mediator between the parties to resolve the problem.

    Penalties

    • If the USPTA ethics committee finds that one of its members has acted unfairly or dishonestly with a client or member, it can refer the case to the board of directors. The board has the authority to revoke the membership of anyone it finds in violation of the code of ethics, or it can assess some lesser corrective action. In cases involving matters of the law, the board may even turn the complaint over to legal authorities.

    Purpose of Code

    • Organizations and businesses establish a code of ethics in order to set down guidelines for their members or workers that will influence their professional and personal conduct in a way that promotes the organization’s values and standards. The USPTA’s goal is to elevate the standards of the tennis-teaching profession and its code of ethics is geared towards that purpose. Their code stresses the need for its members to be honest and fair with their customers and fellow teachers, actions that, if followed, would help ensure high standards in the tennis-teaching industry.