Ethics and Professional Practice practice questions

Answer: B) Report only accurate, supported performance data

• AIncorrect. That misleads the client.
• BCorrect. Misrepresentation is unethical.
• CIncorrect. That misrepresents performance.
• DIncorrect. Material omissions mislead.

Answer: A) Seal the work only after gaining qualifying experience, or have a qualified licensee do that part

The NCEES Model Rules allow licensees to take on assignments only when qualified by education or experience in the specific technical field. An engineer lacking that qualification must gain it or have a qualified licensee do that part of the work.

• ACorrect. Licensees may take on assignments only when qualified by education or experience in the specific technical field involved. Gaining that qualification, or giving that part of the work to a qualified licensee, meets the rule.
• BIncorrect. Under the Model Rules, competence depends on actual education or experience in the specific technical field. Holding a license in a broad discipline does not make him competent in every specialty within it.
• CIncorrect. An informal review does not make the sealing engineer competent in the field. He would still be sealing work outside his own qualifications.
• DIncorrect. Following a vendor's application notes is not the education or experience the rule requires before taking on work in an unfamiliar technical field.

Answer: D) Respect the client's decision after advising

• AIncorrect. There's no violation.
• BIncorrect. It isn't a safety issue.
• CIncorrect. That's deceptive.
• DCorrect. Clients decide non-safety matters.

Answer: C) Notify the proper authority

• AIncorrect. Notify the proper authority.
• BIncorrect. Public safety comes first.
• CCorrect. Public safety is paramount.
• DIncorrect. Notify the proper authority.

Answer: C) Report the hazardous conditions to the appropriate authority, such as the code official or licensing board

A licensee who knows of conditions that endanger the public must report them to the appropriate authority when direct efforts fail, even if the work belongs to another firm. Using the situation to win business, or waiting for someone else to find the problem, is improper.

• AIncorrect. The duty to safeguard public health, safety, and welfare does not depend on having a contract, and licensees who know of violations are expected to report them.
• BIncorrect. This puts the engineer's business interest ahead of resolving the hazard, and it risks injuring another licensee's professional reputation and prospects.
• CCorrect. When direct contact fails, reporting through proper channels protects the public. The Model Rules require licensees to report known violations to the board.
• DIncorrect. The danger exists now, and a routine inspection may be far off or may miss the problem. A licensee who knows of a hazard must act on that knowledge.

Answer: C) Disclose the relationship to the agency and withdraw from evaluating the bids unless the agency directs otherwise

The NCEES Model Rules require licensees to disclose all known or potential conflicts of interest that could influence, or appear to influence, their judgment. A sibling-owned bidder is such a conflict, so the engineer should disclose it and step back from the evaluation.

• AIncorrect. Applying the same criteria doesn't remove the appearance that the family tie could influence the engineer's judgment. The Model Rules require disclosure of conflicts that could influence or appear to influence judgment.
• BIncorrect. The conflict exists from the moment the engineer evaluates the bid. Waiting until after the selection defeats the purpose of disclosure.
• CCorrect. The family relationship is a potential conflict of interest that must be disclosed to the employer or client. Stepping back from the evaluation protects the integrity of the selection.
• DIncorrect. A conflict of interest isn't limited to direct financial gain. A close family relationship can influence, or appear to influence, the engineer's judgment, so it must be disclosed.

Answer: A) Describe and date the revisions, and have B sign and seal them as the licensee in responsible charge of the revisions

Under the NCEES Model Rules, revisions to sealed documents must be described and dated. If the original licensee didn't make them, they must be signed and sealed by the licensee in responsible charge of the revisions, who may seal only work done under their own responsible charge.

• ACorrect. The Model Rules require revisions to sealed documents to be described and dated. When the original licensee doesn't make the revisions, the licensee in responsible charge of them must sign and seal them.
• BIncorrect. A's seal certifies only the work done under A's responsible charge. It can't vouch for later changes made by someone else, so the revisions need their own seal from the licensee responsible for them.
• CIncorrect. On multi-sheet documents, each sheet must also be sealed and signed by the licensee or licensees responsible for that sheet. A title-page seal alone doesn't cover the revised sheets.
• DIncorrect. A licensee may seal only work done under their own responsible charge. Another engineer's license doesn't replace B's direction and review.

Answer: B) Done under their responsible charge

• AIncorrect. It certifies responsible charge.
• BCorrect. And meets professional standards.
• CIncorrect. That's a separate step.
• DIncorrect. It certifies responsible charge, not perfection.

Answer: C) Use general engineering skill but withhold Client A's designs unless Client A consents

Under the NCEES Model Rules, licensees may not reveal information obtained in a professional capacity without the client's prior consent, unless law requires or authorizes it. Authorship, an NDA with another party, or a closed project does not remove that duty.

• AIncorrect. Information obtained in a professional capacity belongs to the client's confidences. Having authored the designs does not let the engineer reveal or reuse them without Client A's consent.
• BIncorrect. An NDA with Client B does not replace Client A's consent. Giving the designs to Client B is itself the disclosure the rule prohibits.
• CCorrect. Licensees shall not reveal facts, data or information obtained in a professional capacity without the client's prior consent, unless law or rules authorize or require it. General know-how may still be used.
• DIncorrect. The duty of confidentiality does not end when the project is finished or paid for. Client A's prior consent is still required.

Answer: A) End the partnership and object to the firm's continued use of her name

The NCEES Model Rules bar licensees from partnering or practicing with any person or firm they know is engaged in fraudulent or dishonest practices, so the engineer must end the association and object to the use of her name.

• ACorrect. Licensees may not partner, practice or offer to practice with a person or firm they know is engaged in fraudulent or dishonest practices. She should end the association and stop the firm from using her name.
• BIncorrect. The rule bars partnering with a firm she knows is engaged in fraud, no matter which tasks she personally does.
• CIncorrect. A disclaimer does not cure the prohibited association. She would still be partnering with a firm she knows is acting fraudulently.
• DIncorrect. Contract obligations do not override the ethical rule against knowingly practicing with a firm engaged in fraud, and staying on lets the misuse of her name continue.