Engineering Certification Engineering Ethics & Professional Practice

Question 1

According to the NSPE Code of Ethics, which of the following is the FIRST fundamental canon that engineers must uphold?

Accepted Answer

Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public

Answer

Act in a faithful manner to each employer or client

Answer

Issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner

Answer

Perform services only in areas of their competence

Question 2

A licensed Professional Engineer (PE) stamps and seals a set of drawings. What does this action legally signify?

Accepted Answer

The PE accepts full professional responsibility for the work

Answer

The drawings have been reviewed by a government agency

Answer

The drawings comply with all applicable building codes automatically

Answer

The PE was employed by the firm that prepared the documents

Question 3

An engineer discovers a design flaw in a client's existing structure that poses a risk to public safety. The client instructs the engineer to keep the finding confidential. What should the engineer do?

Accepted Answer

Report the hazard to the appropriate public authority

Answer

Honor the client's request to protect the professional relationship

Answer

Resign from the project and take no further action

Answer

Document the finding internally and wait for client approval

Question 4

Which of the following best describes a 'conflict of interest' for a Professional Engineer?

Accepted Answer

Having a financial stake in a vendor whose products are specified in the engineer's design

Answer

Disagreeing with a client's aesthetic preferences on a design

Answer

Working on two unrelated projects simultaneously for different clients

Answer

Charging higher fees than competitors for the same services

Question 5

Under most state licensing boards, what is the primary purpose of requiring continuing education units (CEUs) for PE license renewal?

Accepted Answer

To ensure engineers maintain and update their professional competence

Answer

To generate revenue for the state licensing board

Answer

To allow engineers to practice in additional specialties

Answer

To replace the need for professional liability insurance

Question 6

An engineer is asked to provide expert witness testimony in a legal case that falls outside their specific area of expertise. According to engineering ethics, the engineer should:

Accepted Answer

Decline and refer the matter to an engineer with appropriate expertise

Answer

Accept if the compensation is sufficient to justify the effort

Answer

Accept and conduct self-study to gain the necessary knowledge

Answer

Accept only if no other licensed engineer is available

Question 7

When an engineer reviews plans prepared by another engineer for the purpose of offering a second opinion to a client, the reviewing engineer should:

Accepted Answer

Notify the original engineer before proceeding with the review

Answer

Refuse the assignment to avoid professional discourtesy

Answer

Review the plans without notifying anyone to maintain objectivity

Answer

Only review the plans if the original engineer has given consent