Fraudulent Use Statement

Reporting Suspected Fraudulent Misrepresentation and Noncompliance of HPCC Credentials

The Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center is accredited by Accreditation Board of Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC). HPCC policies follow the ABSNC requirements for maintenance of and adherence of the HPCC credentials which are to protect the public and assure the integrity of the credential. Alleged violations of certification rules by candidates and certificants require investigation and disciplinary action as appropriate including reporting to appropriate authorities. Common examples of violations include:

If you suspect an individual is fraudulently misrepresenting an HPCC credential, falsifying eligibility information, or is cheating on an HPCC examination, you should report it to HPCC. Reports of suspected fraudulent misrepresentation and noncompliance of HPCC’s credentials are kept confidential and may be reported anonymously.

Please provide as much information as possible so HPCC can conduct a thorough review of the suspected fraudulent misrepresentation and/or noncompliance of the individual.

To report suspected misconduct, leave a voicemail message at 412-787-1057 or email hpcc@gohpcc.org.

Misuse of Certification Credentials

Certified individuals are authorized to use their designated credential exclusively during the four-year period specified on their certificate. If a professional fails to successfully recertify, they must immediately cease all use of the credential upon its expiration. Any unauthorized use of the credential, or use of any HPCC trademark without explicit permission from the HPCC Board of Directors, is considered fraudulent.

HPCC thoroughly investigates all unauthorized or fraudulent use of its credentials and trademarks by individuals or corporations. Upon obtaining proof of an infraction, HPCC will issue a formal notification to the responsible party detailing the lack of authorization and requesting immediate remediation. If corrective actions are not completed within 30 days of this notice, the Director of Credentialing will contact the individual’s employer. Continued fraudulent use after 45 days will result in reports to state nursing boards and/or public disclosure for professional and consumer awareness, at the discretion of the HPCC Board of Directors. For complete policy details, please consult the Fraudulent Use Statement.

Failure to maintain these standards may result in the loss of credentials. HPCC reserves the right to deny, suspend, or revoke any individual’s certification for due cause through established disciplinary procedures. Refer to the candidate handbook for further details.