CCS CCS Ethical & Legal Standards in Career Counseling 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to NCDA ethics, a career counselor must maintain competence by:
- Renewing their CCS certification every 10 years
- Engaging in continuous professional development and staying current with career trends (Correct answer)
- Only working within specializations earned before initial certification
- Completing a minimum of 5 client hours per month
Correct answer: Engaging in continuous professional development and staying current with career trends
Competence is maintained through ongoing professional development, supervision, and staying informed about emerging career trends and research.
Question 2: A CCS is asked by a former employer to disclose a past client's job search details. The correct ethical response is to:
- Provide general information that does not identify the client
- Comply fully since the request comes from a credible employer
- Decline and explain that client confidentiality prohibits disclosure (Correct answer)
- Ask the client for permission retroactively
Correct answer: Decline and explain that client confidentiality prohibits disclosure
Confidentiality survives the end of the counseling relationship; the counselor must decline to disclose client information without prior written consent.
Question 3: In the context of career counseling ethics, 'non-maleficence' means:
- Charging fees that are fair and transparent
- Avoiding actions that harm or exploit clients (Correct answer)
- Treating all clients with equal respect
- Keeping accurate records of all sessions
Correct answer: Avoiding actions that harm or exploit clients
Non-maleficence is the ethical principle of 'do no harm,' requiring counselors to avoid actions that could injure or exploit clients.
Question 4: A CCS who also sells resume writing software to clients must disclose this commercial interest because of the ethical principle of:
- Beneficence
- Autonomy
- Transparency and avoiding conflicts of interest (Correct answer)
- Fidelity
Correct answer: Transparency and avoiding conflicts of interest
Counselors must disclose any commercial interests or financial incentives that could create a conflict of interest and compromise objectivity.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes 'fidelity' as an ethical principle in career counseling?
- Maintaining accurate billing records
- Keeping promises and honoring commitments made to clients (Correct answer)
- Providing services only within one's area of competence
- Treating all clients equitably regardless of background
Correct answer: Keeping promises and honoring commitments made to clients
Fidelity means being trustworthy and keeping commitments—such as honoring confidentiality pledges and following through on agreed-upon service terms.
Question 6: When a CCS believes a client may be a danger to themselves, the counselor is ethically permitted to:
- Terminate services immediately without explanation
- Break confidentiality only to the extent necessary to protect the client or others (Correct answer)
- Notify the client's employer as a protective measure
- Take no action since career counselors are not licensed therapists
Correct answer: Break confidentiality only to the extent necessary to protect the client or others
The duty to warn and protect allows counselors to breach confidentiality only to the minimum degree necessary when serious risk of harm exists.
CCS CCS Ethical & Legal Standards in Career Counseling 2
According to NCDA ethics, a career counselor must maintain competence by: