The legal status of surrogate partners is undefined in most of the United States and in most countries around the world. This means that there are generally no laws regulating the profession. Because there is no governmental licensing or regulation of surrogate partners, IPSA has assumed the responsibility of assuring the therapeutic community and the public that IPSA members have received adequate training, achieved professional competency, and adhere to the highest standards of ethical practice.

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IPSA established a code of ethics, outlining a surrogate’s responsibilities within the therapeutic program, in order to foster the highest professional standards among surrogates. IPSA certified Surrogate Partners are committed to honoring the ethical principles outlined and implied in the IPSA Code of Ethics.