Engineering Certification Engineering Ethics & Professional Practice 3

Question 1

The Fundamental Canons of the NSPE Code of Ethics require engineers to 'perform services only in areas of competence.' This primarily protects:

Accepted Answer

The public from harm caused by unqualified engineering judgment

Answer

Restricting practice to areas of competence is a public safety measure ensuring that engineering decisions are made with sufficient knowledge and skill.

Question 2

When an engineer makes a public statement about a technical matter, the NSPE Code of Ethics requires that the statement be:

Accepted Answer

Objective and truthful, clearly identifying whether it is personal or on behalf of an organization

Answer

Engineers must ensure public statements are objective, truthful, and clearly attributed so the public can assess their basis and authority.

Question 3

Which of the following scenarios represents 'bid shopping,' an unethical practice in engineering and construction?

Accepted Answer

Disclosing a subcontractor's bid to other bidders to drive prices down

Answer

Bid shopping involves improperly revealing one bidder's price to competitors to leverage lower bids, undermining fair and honest competition.

Question 4

A PE is employed full-time and wants to accept a paid consulting project for an outside client. According to ethics guidelines, the PE should:

Accepted Answer

Disclose the outside work to the employer and obtain consent if required

Answer

Engineers must disclose potential conflicts arising from outside employment to their employer and obtain approval if required by company policy or the nature of the work.

Question 5

Under the concept of 'responsible charge,' a PE who supervises an engineer-in-training (EIT) is responsible for:

Accepted Answer

Directly overseeing and being professionally accountable for the EIT's engineering work

Answer

Responsible charge requires the supervising PE to directly oversee the work and accept professional responsibility for the quality and correctness of the EIT's engineering output.

Engineering Certification Practice Test

Engineering Certification Practice Test

Engineering Certification Engineering Ethics & Professional Practice 3