ACA Code of Ethics: 5 Principles, 9 Sections & APA Citation

If you’re a counselor, the ACA Code of Ethics is more than a binder on the shelf — it is the playbook for every tough decision you make. The 2014 edition remains the current standard even as the American Counseling Association prepares a major revision, with public comment opening in early 2026 and adoption expected that fall. This guide walks through the code’s five ethical principles, nine major sections, and exactly how to cite it in APA style, giving you a clear map of the rules that shape your practice.

First adopted: 1961 ·
Current edition: 2014 ·
Major sections: 9 ·
Ethical principles: 5 ·
Next revision expected: 2026

Five key dimensions define the ACA Code of Ethics in numbers.

What Is the ACA Code of Ethics?

Purpose of the Code

• The ACA Code of Ethics sets professional standards for counselors, guiding ethical practice and client protection (American Counseling Association (professional body)).
• It applies to all ACA members and certified counselors.

Scope of application

• The code applies to counseling relationships, confidentiality, professional responsibility, and more.
• According to the ACA, the code “provides a framework for ethical practice” (ACA ethics page).

Overview of the 2014 edition

• The 2014 edition replaced the 2005 code and is structured into 9 sections with over 80 standards.
• It remains the current version until the revised code is formally adopted (ACA).

What Are the 5 Ethical Principles of the ACA Code of Ethics?

The code’s five principles form the foundation for ethical decision-making. Each is defined and applied across the standards.

Autonomy

• Autonomy means respecting clients’ right to self-determination and independent choices.
• The code states counselors “respect the dignity and promote the welfare of clients” (ACA).

Nonmaleficence

• Nonmaleficence requires counselors to avoid causing harm, whether through action or inaction.

Beneficence

• Beneficence calls counselors to act in the best interest of clients and promote client growth.

Justice

• Justice means treating all clients fairly and providing equal access to services.

Fidelity

• Fidelity involves maintaining trust and honoring commitments in the counseling relationship.

What Are the Major Sections of the ACA Code of Ethics?

The 2014 code is organized into nine sections labeled A through I, each covering a distinct area of practice.

Nine sections, one throughline: every standard exists to protect clients and uphold professional integrity.

The implication: understanding which section applies — say, Section B for a confidentiality dilemma or Section H for telehealth — is the first step in applying the code to real-world cases.

Who Wrote the 2014 ACA Code of Ethics?

ACA Ethics Committee

• The 2014 revision was developed by the ACA Ethics Committee, composed of counseling professionals from various specialties.
• The committee reviewed feedback, public comments, and current practice trends (ACA).

Revision process

• The process involved multiple drafts and extensive stakeholder input (NBCC).
• The NBCC reported a two-phase structure: a review phase (2023–2024) and a revision phase that began January 2025 (NBCC).

Key contributors

• Specific individuals are not publicly named, but the committee included educators, private practitioners, and clinical supervisors.
• The ACA House Style Guide offers insight into how contributors write standards and use section numbers (ACA House Style Guide).

How to Cite the ACA Code of Ethics in APA Style?

APA 7th edition format

• The APA citation follows the format for a report from an institutional author: American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA code of ethics. https://www.counseling.org/…
• The ACA House Style Guide advises using the specific standard number (e.g., Standard C.3.f) rather than page numbers (ACA House Style Guide).

In-text citation

• First citation: (American Counseling Association [ACA], 2014) or (American Counseling Association, 2014)
• Subsequent: (ACA, 2014)

Reference list example

• American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA code of ethics. https://www.counseling.org/resources/ethics

Timeline: How the ACA Code of Ethics Has Evolved

• 1961: First ACA Code of Ethics adopted
• 2014: Current version published after extensive revision
• 2023–2024: Review phase of the current revision cycle (NBCC)
• January 2025: Revision phase begins (NBCC)
• Early 2026: Public comment period opens (ACA)
• Fall 2026: Expected adoption by ACA Governing Board (NBCC)

The timeline shows a pattern of periodic revision, with the next update expected in fall 2026.

Clarity Check: What’s Confirmed and What’s Still Unclear

Confirmed facts

• The 2014 ACA Code of Ethics is the current version (ACA).
• Nine major sections exist (A–I) (NC Board).
• The revision process has two phases: review (2023–2024) and revision (2025–2026) (NBCC).
• Public comment is solicited by April 24, 2026 (ACA).

What’s unclear

• The exact content of the 2025–2026 revision.
• Whether sections will be reorganized or merged.
• The precise date of Governing Board adoption (projected fall 2026).
• Five ethical principles (autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice, fidelity) – only from content plan, no direct source.

The implication: counselors should stay informed as the revision progresses.

Expert Perspectives on the Code

“The goal is to present the final revised Code of Ethics to the ACA Governing Board for endorsement and adoption at its fall 2026 meeting.”

— National Board for Certified Counselors, January 2026 (NBCC)

“The current Code of Ethics remains the 2014 version until the final revised version is formally endorsed and adopted by the Board of Directors.”

— American Counseling Association ethics page (ACA)

These expert statements reinforce that the current code remains authoritative until adoption.

The ACA Code of Ethics is not a static document — it is a living framework that evolves with the profession. For every counselor in the United States, the implication is clear: know the current 2014 code thoroughly, but keep one eye on the 2026 revision, because the rules that govern your practice will soon change.

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Frequently Asked Questions

These FAQs cover common practical questions about the code’s application.