PE ETHICS EXAM ANSWERS BASED ON
THE TEXAS ENGINEERING PRACTICE
ACT AND BOARD RULES (2026/2027
UPDATE)
Exam 2
Scenario 1 – Independent Judgment and
Client Pressure (Q1–Q4)
Sarah is a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) working for a consulting firm hired to design a
flood-control drainage system for a rapidly growing community. During the design process, the
client informs Sarah that the project budget has been significantly reduced and asks her to
eliminate several stormwater control structures that are required by engineering calculations.
The client explains that removing the structures will save hundreds of thousands of dollars and
promises Sarah's firm additional contracts if she approves the revised plans. Sarah knows the
design would no longer meet applicable engineering standards and could increase flooding
during heavy rainfall.
Q1. What is Sarah's highest professional responsibility?
A) Protect the client's budget
B) Protect public health, safety, and welfare
C) Complete the project as quickly as possible
D) Increase company profits
E) Follow the client's instructions
Answer: B
Explanation: Under the Texas Engineering Practice Act, the engineer's foremost duty is to
protect the public's health, safety, and welfare.
,Q2. What should Sarah do regarding the client's request?
A) Approve the revised design without changes
B) Modify the design only if it continues to meet engineering standards
C) Remove the drainage structures without documentation
D) Allow the contractor to decide
E) Ignore engineering calculations
Answer: B
Explanation: Engineers may only approve designs that comply with accepted engineering
standards and adequately protect the public.
Q3. Which ethical principle applies most directly?
A) Professional independence and objective engineering judgment
B) Advertising regulations
C) Continuing education
D) Contract negotiation
E) Marketing ethics
Answer: A
Explanation: Engineers must make technical decisions based on engineering judgment—not
financial pressure.
Q4. If Sarah knowingly approves an unsafe design, she may face:
A) Professional disciplinary action
B) Automatic license renewal
C) Reduced insurance costs
, D) Tax benefits
E) Faster project approval
Answer: A
Explanation: Engineers are accountable for approving engineering work that does not protect
the public.
Scenario 2 – Responsible Charge and
Engineering Documents (Q5–Q8)
James is the owner of a small engineering firm. Because he is traveling overseas, he instructs a
project manager to use his engineering seal on several bridge design plans that James has not
reviewed.
The project manager stamps the plans and submits them to the city for approval.
Q5. Who is ultimately responsible for the sealed engineering documents?
A) The project manager
B) The city engineer
C) The licensed Professional Engineer whose seal appears on the documents
D) The contractor
E) The client
Answer: C
Explanation: A PE is responsible for every document sealed under his or her license.
Q6. Before applying an engineering seal, the PE must:
A) Exercise responsible charge and perform an adequate review
THE TEXAS ENGINEERING PRACTICE
ACT AND BOARD RULES (2026/2027
UPDATE)
Exam 2
Scenario 1 – Independent Judgment and
Client Pressure (Q1–Q4)
Sarah is a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) working for a consulting firm hired to design a
flood-control drainage system for a rapidly growing community. During the design process, the
client informs Sarah that the project budget has been significantly reduced and asks her to
eliminate several stormwater control structures that are required by engineering calculations.
The client explains that removing the structures will save hundreds of thousands of dollars and
promises Sarah's firm additional contracts if she approves the revised plans. Sarah knows the
design would no longer meet applicable engineering standards and could increase flooding
during heavy rainfall.
Q1. What is Sarah's highest professional responsibility?
A) Protect the client's budget
B) Protect public health, safety, and welfare
C) Complete the project as quickly as possible
D) Increase company profits
E) Follow the client's instructions
Answer: B
Explanation: Under the Texas Engineering Practice Act, the engineer's foremost duty is to
protect the public's health, safety, and welfare.
,Q2. What should Sarah do regarding the client's request?
A) Approve the revised design without changes
B) Modify the design only if it continues to meet engineering standards
C) Remove the drainage structures without documentation
D) Allow the contractor to decide
E) Ignore engineering calculations
Answer: B
Explanation: Engineers may only approve designs that comply with accepted engineering
standards and adequately protect the public.
Q3. Which ethical principle applies most directly?
A) Professional independence and objective engineering judgment
B) Advertising regulations
C) Continuing education
D) Contract negotiation
E) Marketing ethics
Answer: A
Explanation: Engineers must make technical decisions based on engineering judgment—not
financial pressure.
Q4. If Sarah knowingly approves an unsafe design, she may face:
A) Professional disciplinary action
B) Automatic license renewal
C) Reduced insurance costs
, D) Tax benefits
E) Faster project approval
Answer: A
Explanation: Engineers are accountable for approving engineering work that does not protect
the public.
Scenario 2 – Responsible Charge and
Engineering Documents (Q5–Q8)
James is the owner of a small engineering firm. Because he is traveling overseas, he instructs a
project manager to use his engineering seal on several bridge design plans that James has not
reviewed.
The project manager stamps the plans and submits them to the city for approval.
Q5. Who is ultimately responsible for the sealed engineering documents?
A) The project manager
B) The city engineer
C) The licensed Professional Engineer whose seal appears on the documents
D) The contractor
E) The client
Answer: C
Explanation: A PE is responsible for every document sealed under his or her license.
Q6. Before applying an engineering seal, the PE must:
A) Exercise responsible charge and perform an adequate review
