NPPE Accountability and Duties 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A professional engineer signs and seals drawings prepared by a drafter in their office whom they supervise daily. This practice is:
- Improper because only the drafter should sign their own work
- Acceptable provided the engineer has exercised responsible charge over the work (Correct answer)
- Improper unless a second licensed engineer also reviews the drawings
- Acceptable only if the drafter holds an engineering degree
Correct answer: Acceptable provided the engineer has exercised responsible charge over the work
An engineer may seal work prepared under their responsible charge, meaning they directed and controlled the work process.
Question 2: Which standard of care applies to a licensed professional engineer when evaluating negligence in a malpractice claim?
- The care exercised by a reasonable layperson under similar circumstances
- The care exercised by a reasonably competent engineer in the same specialty under similar circumstances (Correct answer)
- The highest possible standard achievable with current technology
- The internal quality standards of the engineer's employer
Correct answer: The care exercised by a reasonably competent engineer in the same specialty under similar circumstances
Negligence in engineering is measured against what a reasonably competent engineer in the same specialty would do under similar circumstances.
Question 3: An engineer discovers that a subcontractor has installed materials that do not meet the specified standards. The engineer's duty is to:
- Document the deficiency and submit a final report after project completion
- Immediately notify the responsible parties and require corrective action before proceeding (Correct answer)
- Accept the materials if the cost of replacement would delay the project
- Defer to the contractor's professional judgment on material equivalency
Correct answer: Immediately notify the responsible parties and require corrective action before proceeding
Engineers must enforce specifications and require corrective action when non-conforming materials are discovered, regardless of schedule impact.
Question 4: The concept of 'responsible charge' in engineering practice primarily refers to:
- Financial responsibility for project costs
- Direct control and personal supervision of engineering work (Correct answer)
- The requirement to carry professional liability insurance
- The obligation to report violations to licensing boards
Correct answer: Direct control and personal supervision of engineering work
Responsible charge means the engineer directly controls and is personally accountable for the engineering work being performed.
Question 5: When must a professional engineer decline a project engagement?
- When the project is located outside their home state or jurisdiction
- When they lack the competence or expertise required for the specific type of work (Correct answer)
- When the project involves technologies developed after their initial licensure
- When the client cannot provide a written contract before work begins
Correct answer: When they lack the competence or expertise required for the specific type of work
Engineers must only accept assignments for which they are competent by education, training, or experience; accepting work beyond competence is a professional ethics violation.
Question 6: A client pressures an engineer to approve a design that the engineer believes is marginally unsafe. The engineer should:
- Approve the design since the client assumes all project risks
- Document their safety concerns formally and refuse to approve until adequately addressed (Correct answer)
- Approve the design with a written disclaimer limiting their liability
- Obtain a second opinion and approve if the other engineer concurs
Correct answer: Document their safety concerns formally and refuse to approve until adequately addressed
Engineers must formally document and refuse to approve designs they believe are unsafe; the duty to public safety cannot be transferred by disclaimer.
Question 7: Under professional accountability principles, an engineer who observes another licensed engineer practicing in a clearly unethical or incompetent manner is expected to:
- Take no action, as reporting colleagues violates professional courtesy norms
- Report the conduct to the appropriate licensing board or professional association (Correct answer)
- Directly confront the engineer in question and demand they cease the conduct
- Notify the affected client confidentially but take no further action
Correct answer: Report the conduct to the appropriate licensing board or professional association
Engineers have a professional obligation to report observed unethical or incompetent conduct by colleagues to the appropriate regulatory body.
NPPE Accountability and Duties 3
A professional engineer signs and seals drawings prepared by a drafter in their office whom they supervise daily.
This practice is: