ARIZONA MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR
LICENSING EXAM QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS AND RATIONALES LATEST 2025-2026
UPDATE
SECTION 1: Ethics & Legal Issues (1–15)
1. A client discloses intent to harm an identifiable person. The
counselor should:
A. Maintain confidentiality
B. Break confidentiality and warn the potential victim
C. Terminate the client immediately
D. Ignore unless a plan is made
Answer: B
Rationale: Duty to warn/protect applies when there is credible threat to
identifiable person.
2. The MOST important ethical principle is:
A. Autonomy
B. Justice
C. Nonmaleficence
D. Fidelity
Answer: C
Rationale: “Do no harm” is foundational in counseling ethics.
3. A counselor begins treating a close friend. This is:
A. Acceptable with consent
B. A dual relationship
C. Required if no other provider is available
,D. Ethical if short-term
Answer: B
Rationale: Dual relationships risk impaired judgment.
4. Informed consent should be obtained:
A. After first session
B. Before services begin
C. Only for minors
D. Only in hospitals
Answer: B
Rationale: Clients must understand treatment before it starts.
5. A counselor suspects child abuse. They should:
A. Keep confidentiality
B. Report according to mandated laws
C. Ask client to confess first
D. Wait for proof
Answer: B
6. Confidentiality can be broken when:
A. Client is late
B. Client requests it
C. Risk of harm exists
D. Insurance requires it
Answer: C
7. Ethical documentation requires:
A. Minimal notes
, B. Objective and accurate records
C. Only diagnosis codes
D. Therapist opinions only
Answer: B
8. A counselor practicing outside competence is:
A. Acceptable if supervised
B. Ethical violation
C. Required in emergencies
D. Encouraged for experience
Answer: B
9. Sexual relationships with current clients are:
A. Allowed with consent
B. Ethical after termination
C. Prohibited
D. Allowed in private practice
Answer: C
10. Termination of therapy should occur when:
A. Client improves
B. Counselor is uncomfortable
C. Client requests termination
D. Insurance stops coverage
Answer: A
11. Boundary crossings are:
A. Always unethical
LICENSING EXAM QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS AND RATIONALES LATEST 2025-2026
UPDATE
SECTION 1: Ethics & Legal Issues (1–15)
1. A client discloses intent to harm an identifiable person. The
counselor should:
A. Maintain confidentiality
B. Break confidentiality and warn the potential victim
C. Terminate the client immediately
D. Ignore unless a plan is made
Answer: B
Rationale: Duty to warn/protect applies when there is credible threat to
identifiable person.
2. The MOST important ethical principle is:
A. Autonomy
B. Justice
C. Nonmaleficence
D. Fidelity
Answer: C
Rationale: “Do no harm” is foundational in counseling ethics.
3. A counselor begins treating a close friend. This is:
A. Acceptable with consent
B. A dual relationship
C. Required if no other provider is available
,D. Ethical if short-term
Answer: B
Rationale: Dual relationships risk impaired judgment.
4. Informed consent should be obtained:
A. After first session
B. Before services begin
C. Only for minors
D. Only in hospitals
Answer: B
Rationale: Clients must understand treatment before it starts.
5. A counselor suspects child abuse. They should:
A. Keep confidentiality
B. Report according to mandated laws
C. Ask client to confess first
D. Wait for proof
Answer: B
6. Confidentiality can be broken when:
A. Client is late
B. Client requests it
C. Risk of harm exists
D. Insurance requires it
Answer: C
7. Ethical documentation requires:
A. Minimal notes
, B. Objective and accurate records
C. Only diagnosis codes
D. Therapist opinions only
Answer: B
8. A counselor practicing outside competence is:
A. Acceptable if supervised
B. Ethical violation
C. Required in emergencies
D. Encouraged for experience
Answer: B
9. Sexual relationships with current clients are:
A. Allowed with consent
B. Ethical after termination
C. Prohibited
D. Allowed in private practice
Answer: C
10. Termination of therapy should occur when:
A. Client improves
B. Counselor is uncomfortable
C. Client requests termination
D. Insurance stops coverage
Answer: A
11. Boundary crossings are:
A. Always unethical
