Legal Terms and Conditions of Use
Acceptance of Terms
By accessing the website, certification platform, or services of the International Board of Oil and Gas Professionals (IBOGP), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in the State of South Carolina, United States, you agree to be legally bound by these Terms and Conditions. These Terms govern your access to and use of all IBOGP services, digital platforms, and certification offerings.
If you do not agree to these Terms, you must discontinue use of the IBOGP website and affiliated services immediately.
Compliance with Applicable Laws
IBOGP operates in full compliance with:
- • United States federal law,
- • The laws of the State of South Carolina, and
- • Applicable international standards, including ISO/IEC 17024 for personnel certification bodies and ANSI accreditation requirements.
Users agree to comply with all applicable laws and regulations when accessing, using, or participating in IBOGP programs or services.
Ownership and Intellectual Property
All website content, training materials, certification exams, logos, course names, and digital resources are the intellectual property of IBOGP and are protected under United States and international copyright, trademark, and intellectual property laws.
You may not use, reproduce, distribute, modify, or republish any materials from IBOGP without prior written consent. Unauthorized use will result in legal action and revocation of membership or certification.
Certification and Training Disclaimer
While IBOGP certifications represent industry-recognized validation of professional competencies, they do not constitute licensure or guarantee employment or promotion. Certifications are intended as educational and developmental benchmarks and must be applied professionally and ethically.
IBOGP reserves the right to modify, update, or retire any certification programs or exam structures at its sole discretion.
Payment and Refund Policy
All payments are governed by the terms presented at the time of purchase. Unless otherwise stated:
- • Training and certification exam fees are non-refundable once access has been granted.
- • Refund requests, if applicable, must be submitted within 5 business days of purchase.
- • Refunds may be denied for no-shows, incomplete registrations, or access violations.
- • IBOGP is not responsible for third-party processing delays or foreign transaction fees.
User Conduct and Restrictions
You agree not to:
- • Misrepresent your identity, credentials, or eligibility.
- • Share or replicate exam content or training materials.
- • Violate testing policies or engage in fraudulent behavior.
- • Circumvent platform security or tamper with systems.
- • Engage in any activity that violates South Carolina or U.S. law.
IBOGP reserves the right to suspend or terminate access without notice for any violations.
Limitation of Liability
To the extent permitted by law, IBOGP shall not be liable for:
- • Indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
- • Data loss, business interruption, or technical failures
- • Errors in training or certification content
- • Delay or failure due to force majeure or unforeseen circumstances
IBOGP’s total liability shall not exceed the amount paid by you for the services in question.
Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless IBOGP, its officers, affiliates, and agents from any claims, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of your:
- • Use or misuse of IBOGP services
- • Breach of these Terms
- • Violation of intellectual property or applicable laws
Dispute Resolution and Arbitration
In the event of a dispute between you and IBOGP:
- • Good faith efforts must first be made to resolve the matter informally.
- • If unresolved within 30 days, the dispute shall be submitted to binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association (AAA) or a similar forum agreed upon by both parties.
- • The arbitration shall take place in Richland County, South Carolina, and be conducted in the English language.
- • The arbitrator's decision shall be final and enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction.
You agree to waive your right to participate in class action lawsuits or jury trials against IBOGP.
Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United States and the State of South Carolina, without regard to its conflict of law principles.
All legal proceedings not resolved through arbitration shall be brought exclusively in the courts of Richland County, South Carolina, and you consent to the jurisdiction of such courts.
Termination of Access
IBOGP may, at its sole discretion, revoke or suspend access to its services or revoke certification status if:
- • You violate these Terms
- • You engage in ethical misconduct or certification fraud
- • You breach exam integrity or intellectual property rights
In such cases, no refund will be issued and further legal recourse may be pursued.
Modifications to Terms
IBOGP reserves the right to update or amend these Terms at any time. Any changes will be posted on this page with the “Last Updated” date changed accordingly. Continued use of the services after modifications constitutes your acceptance.
Contact Information
For legal, ethical, or certification-related inquiries, contact:
Contact Information
International Board of Oil and Gas Professionals (IBOGP)
- 450 Ganton Ct, Blythewood, SC 29016, USA
- legal@ibogp.org
- www.ibogp.org
- +1 (800) 555-IBOGP
This Legal Terms of Use Statement ensures alignment with:
- • U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) consumer protection guidelines
- • ISO/IEC 17024 certification standards
- • ANSI accreditation criteria
- • Applicable South Carolina nonprofit and commerce regulations