Abstract
In June 2018, the Healthcare Ethics Consultant (HCEC) Certification Commission (the Commission) began accepting applications, and since then three candidate cohorts have received the Healthcare Ethics Consultant-Certified (HEC-C) designation. While these individuals have reported favorable experiences, concerns about the HEC-C program—both the certification process and what the designation represents—exist. As members of the Commission, we welcome dialogue about these concerns and wish to enhance understanding of the Commission’s reasoning behind key aspects of the HEC-C program. This program is part of an evolving system of professional structures, for which much work remains. In developing the HEC-C program, we were guided by well-established standards. The HEC-C program is not set in stone, but instead will evolve over time. We hope that transparency will encourage productive dialogue, improving the practice of, and access to, healthcare ethics consultation.