Legal & Ethical Issues in Counseling Exam
2026-2027: 100 Questions on Child Abuse
Reporting, Minor Confidentiality, State
Statutes & ACA Code | NCE, CPCE, LPC
Prep
Description:
Master mandatory reporting, duty to protect, telemental health with minors, and dual
relationships. This 100-question exam with answer rationales aligns with 2026-2027 state
laws and ACA ethics.
Download now to pass your counseling licensing exam on the first attempt.
, Counseling Ethics Exam 2026-2027: 100 Practice Questions
Course Code: COUN 627
Academic Year: 2026/2027
Instructions: Select the best answer for each question.
Section I: Mandatory Reporting and State Statutes
1. When reporting suspected child abuse in good faith, counselors should review their
particular state statute to determine all of the following EXCEPT:
A. who must file the report
B. when the report must be made
C. counselor liability for defamation of character
D. whether past abuse must be reported
E. whether a written report is required in addition to an oral report
Answer: C
Explanation: Good faith reporting of suspected child abuse is protected by law in all
jurisdictions; counselors cannot be successfully sued for defamation if the report was made in
good faith, even if the suspicion is not ultimately confirmed. State statutes primarily address
procedural elements (who, when, how) and the scope of abuse that must be reported.
2. Many states have laws requiring reports of suspected abuse of all of the following
EXCEPT:
A. children
B. elderly persons
C. incompetent persons
D. abused spouses or domestic partners
E. developmentally disabled persons
Answer: D
Explanation: While all states mandate reporting of suspected child abuse, and many have
extended mandatory reporting to vulnerable adults such as the elderly, incompetent persons,
and developmentally disabled adults, spousal or domestic partner abuse is generally not
subject to universal mandatory reporting laws. Instead, it is typically addressed through
domestic violence intervention programs and permissive reporting.
, 3. As a professional counselor, you are required by law in all states to report:
A. a client's threat to commit a burglary
B. suspected child abuse or neglect
C. unethical behavior of a colleague
D. the knowledge that a client has tested positive for HIV
E. all of the above
Answer: B
Explanation: Suspected child abuse or neglect is the only universally mandated report across
all U.S. jurisdictions. Threats of property crime (burglary) do not trigger a duty to report,
ethics violations are reported to licensing boards rather than being a legal mandate in all
states, and HIV status disclosure laws vary but do not require general reporting.
Section II: Vulnerable Adult Protections
4. Each of the following groups might be considered to be vulnerable adults who are
protected from abuse in some states by statute EXCEPT:
A. developmentally disabled adults
B. severely mentally ill adults
C. elderly adults
D. physically disabled adults
E. emotionally distressed adults
Answer: E
Explanation: State vulnerable adult statutes generally define the protected class using
specific diagnostic or status-based criteria (e.g., developmental disability, severe mental
illness, physical disability, age over 65). The term emotionally distressed adults is too broad
and subjective; emotional distress alone, without a diagnosed condition or functional
impairment, does not trigger statutory protection in most jurisdictions.
Section III: School Counseling Legal Obligations
5. School counselors have a legal obligation to do all of the following EXCEPT:
A. obtain written parental permission before counseling students in most
circumstances
, B. report child abuse if it is suspected
C. inform parents if the counselor determines the child is at risk for suicide
D. inform parents if the counselor determines the child is a danger to others
E. secure parents' informed consent before providing unusual counseling services
Answer: A
Explanation: School counselors are not generally required to obtain written parental
permission before providing routine counseling services, as these are considered part of the
school's educational and developmental support system. However, parental permission (often
passive or opt-out) may be required for more intensive or ongoing services. In contrast,
reporting child abuse, notifying parents of suicide risk or danger to others, and obtaining
consent for unusual services are legal or professional obligations.
6. In determining whether a child is a danger to self or others, the counselor should do
all of the following EXCEPT:
A. consult with a colleague
B. consider age and maturity level of the client
C. follow the institutional policy on the issue
D. assure the client of complete confidentiality
E. document any actions taken
Answer: D
Explanation: Assuring a client of complete confidentiality in a danger-to-self-or-others
situation is both unethical and potentially legally negligent. The duty to protect overrides
confidentiality. Best practice includes consultation, developmental considerations,
institutional policy adherence, and thorough documentation.
Section IV: Dual Relationships and Confidentiality
7. Dual relationships in school settings:
A. seldom cause problems
B. do not usually create misunderstandings
C. help students gain trust and respect for the counselor if the counselor has
disciplinary functions in the non-counseling relationship
2026-2027: 100 Questions on Child Abuse
Reporting, Minor Confidentiality, State
Statutes & ACA Code | NCE, CPCE, LPC
Prep
Description:
Master mandatory reporting, duty to protect, telemental health with minors, and dual
relationships. This 100-question exam with answer rationales aligns with 2026-2027 state
laws and ACA ethics.
Download now to pass your counseling licensing exam on the first attempt.
, Counseling Ethics Exam 2026-2027: 100 Practice Questions
Course Code: COUN 627
Academic Year: 2026/2027
Instructions: Select the best answer for each question.
Section I: Mandatory Reporting and State Statutes
1. When reporting suspected child abuse in good faith, counselors should review their
particular state statute to determine all of the following EXCEPT:
A. who must file the report
B. when the report must be made
C. counselor liability for defamation of character
D. whether past abuse must be reported
E. whether a written report is required in addition to an oral report
Answer: C
Explanation: Good faith reporting of suspected child abuse is protected by law in all
jurisdictions; counselors cannot be successfully sued for defamation if the report was made in
good faith, even if the suspicion is not ultimately confirmed. State statutes primarily address
procedural elements (who, when, how) and the scope of abuse that must be reported.
2. Many states have laws requiring reports of suspected abuse of all of the following
EXCEPT:
A. children
B. elderly persons
C. incompetent persons
D. abused spouses or domestic partners
E. developmentally disabled persons
Answer: D
Explanation: While all states mandate reporting of suspected child abuse, and many have
extended mandatory reporting to vulnerable adults such as the elderly, incompetent persons,
and developmentally disabled adults, spousal or domestic partner abuse is generally not
subject to universal mandatory reporting laws. Instead, it is typically addressed through
domestic violence intervention programs and permissive reporting.
, 3. As a professional counselor, you are required by law in all states to report:
A. a client's threat to commit a burglary
B. suspected child abuse or neglect
C. unethical behavior of a colleague
D. the knowledge that a client has tested positive for HIV
E. all of the above
Answer: B
Explanation: Suspected child abuse or neglect is the only universally mandated report across
all U.S. jurisdictions. Threats of property crime (burglary) do not trigger a duty to report,
ethics violations are reported to licensing boards rather than being a legal mandate in all
states, and HIV status disclosure laws vary but do not require general reporting.
Section II: Vulnerable Adult Protections
4. Each of the following groups might be considered to be vulnerable adults who are
protected from abuse in some states by statute EXCEPT:
A. developmentally disabled adults
B. severely mentally ill adults
C. elderly adults
D. physically disabled adults
E. emotionally distressed adults
Answer: E
Explanation: State vulnerable adult statutes generally define the protected class using
specific diagnostic or status-based criteria (e.g., developmental disability, severe mental
illness, physical disability, age over 65). The term emotionally distressed adults is too broad
and subjective; emotional distress alone, without a diagnosed condition or functional
impairment, does not trigger statutory protection in most jurisdictions.
Section III: School Counseling Legal Obligations
5. School counselors have a legal obligation to do all of the following EXCEPT:
A. obtain written parental permission before counseling students in most
circumstances
, B. report child abuse if it is suspected
C. inform parents if the counselor determines the child is at risk for suicide
D. inform parents if the counselor determines the child is a danger to others
E. secure parents' informed consent before providing unusual counseling services
Answer: A
Explanation: School counselors are not generally required to obtain written parental
permission before providing routine counseling services, as these are considered part of the
school's educational and developmental support system. However, parental permission (often
passive or opt-out) may be required for more intensive or ongoing services. In contrast,
reporting child abuse, notifying parents of suicide risk or danger to others, and obtaining
consent for unusual services are legal or professional obligations.
6. In determining whether a child is a danger to self or others, the counselor should do
all of the following EXCEPT:
A. consult with a colleague
B. consider age and maturity level of the client
C. follow the institutional policy on the issue
D. assure the client of complete confidentiality
E. document any actions taken
Answer: D
Explanation: Assuring a client of complete confidentiality in a danger-to-self-or-others
situation is both unethical and potentially legally negligent. The duty to protect overrides
confidentiality. Best practice includes consultation, developmental considerations,
institutional policy adherence, and thorough documentation.
Section IV: Dual Relationships and Confidentiality
7. Dual relationships in school settings:
A. seldom cause problems
B. do not usually create misunderstandings
C. help students gain trust and respect for the counselor if the counselor has
disciplinary functions in the non-counseling relationship
