NCEES Ethics and Practice 4

Question 1

An engineer learns that a competitor obtained a contract by misrepresenting qualifications. The most appropriate ethical response is to:

Accepted Answer

Report the misrepresentation to the appropriate professional or regulatory body

Answer

Engineers are obligated to report known unethical conduct by other professionals to uphold the integrity of the profession.

Question 2

A PE is asked to review and approve a design created by an unlicensed engineer. Under most state laws, the PE may legally do this only if she:

Accepted Answer

Has exercised responsible charge and fully understands the technical basis of the design

Answer

A PE may supervise and take responsible charge over work by unlicensed individuals, but she must thoroughly understand and be responsible for the technical content, not merely spot-check it.

Question 3

Which of the following best describes an engineer's obligation regarding continuing education?

Accepted Answer

Engineers must maintain and improve their competency throughout their careers

Answer

The NCEES Code of Ethics requires engineers to maintain competency by engaging in continuing professional development throughout their careers.

Question 4

A client instructs an engineer to omit a required safety feature from a design to reduce costs. The engineer should:

Accepted Answer

Refuse and explain the safety and legal reasons for the required feature

Answer

Engineers must not omit code-required safety features regardless of client instructions; protection of public safety overrides client cost preferences.

Question 5

An engineer suspects that inferior materials were substituted during construction, deviating from the approved design. Her primary obligation is to:

Accepted Answer

Investigate immediately and report findings to the project owner and relevant authorities

Answer

Suspected material substitutions that could compromise safety must be investigated and reported promptly to protect occupants and the public.

NCEES Practice Test

NCEES Practice Test

NCEES Ethics and Practice 4