PE ETHICS EXAM ANSWERS BASED ON
THE TEXAS ENGINEERING PRACTICE ACT
AND BOARD RULES LATEST UPDATE
,1. What is the primary purpose of the Texas Engineering Prac ce Act and Board Rules?
A. To maximize engineers' compensa on
B. To protect the public health, safety, and welfare
C. To regulate construc on contractors only
D. To establish engineering salaries
Answer: B
Ra onale: The Act and Board Rules regulate engineering prac ce to protect the public health,
safety, and welfare.
2. Under Board Rule §137.51, professional-conduct rules apply to:
A. Only structural engineers
B. Only engineers employed by engineering firms
C. Every person holding a license authorized to offer or perform engineering services in Texas
D. Only engineers working on public projects
Answer: C
Ra onale: §137.51 makes the professional-conduct rules binding on every person holding a
license authorized to offer or perform engineering services in Texas.
3. An engineer becomes aware of conduct that presents an unresolved risk to public safety.
What is generally required?
A. Ignore it if the client accepts the risk
B. Report the ma er to the Board or appropriate civil/criminal authori es
C. Resign immediately without repor ng
D. Discuss it only with coworkers
Answer: B
Ra onale: §137.55 requires repor ng when, in the engineer's judgment, an unresolved risk to
the public remains.
4. An engineer should place which considera on above the engineer's personal or financial
interests?
,A. Client profit
B. Employer preference
C. Public health, safety, and welfare
D. Project schedule
Answer: C
Ra onale: Protec on of the public is the fundamental considera on underlying Texas
engineering professional conduct.
5. An engineer discovers that a design decision has created a significant safety concern. The
project manager tells the engineer to remain silent. What is the best ethical response?
A. Remain silent because the manager is responsible
B. Document and communicate the concern appropriately
C. Delete the design records
D. Approve the design anyway
Answer: B
Ra onale: Engineers must communicate professional concerns and take appropriate ac on
when public risks remain unresolved.
6. Which ac vity is most consistent with Texas engineering professional conduct?
A. Misrepresen ng qualifica ons
B. Providing misleading technical informa on
C. Prac cing honestly and ethically
D. Concealing known safety defects
Answer: C
Ra onale: Engineers are required to engage in professional and business ac vi es related to
engineering in an honest and ethical manner.
7. An engineer knowingly violates an applicable engineering regula on because compliance
would delay the project. Is this acceptable?
A. Yes, if the client agrees
B. Yes, if the contractor agrees
, C. No
D. Yes, if the delay exceeds 30 days
Answer: C
Ra onale: Engineers must comply with applicable statutes, codes, regula ons, rules, ordinances,
and standards.
8. Which statement best describes an engineer's responsibility to the profession?
A. Maximize personal financial benefit
B. Maintain honest and ethical professional conduct
C. Avoid repor ng viola ons
D. Follow only employer policies
Answer: B
Ra onale: §137.63 requires engineers to engage in professional and business ac vi es honestly
and ethically.
9. An engineer learns that an employee is engaging in conduct that would violate the Texas
Engineering Prac ce Act if performed by the engineer. What should the engineer do?
A. Ignore the conduct
B. Exercise reasonable care or diligence to prevent the conduct
C. Encourage it if profitable
D. Transfer responsibility to another employee
Answer: B
Ra onale: §137.63 requires engineers to exercise reasonable care or diligence to prevent
partners, associates, and employees from engaging in prohibited conduct.
10. An engineer's primary professional obliga on concerning a dangerous design is to:
A. Protect the project budget
B. Protect the employer's reputa on
C. Protect public health, safety, and welfare
D. Protect the contractor's schedule
THE TEXAS ENGINEERING PRACTICE ACT
AND BOARD RULES LATEST UPDATE
,1. What is the primary purpose of the Texas Engineering Prac ce Act and Board Rules?
A. To maximize engineers' compensa on
B. To protect the public health, safety, and welfare
C. To regulate construc on contractors only
D. To establish engineering salaries
Answer: B
Ra onale: The Act and Board Rules regulate engineering prac ce to protect the public health,
safety, and welfare.
2. Under Board Rule §137.51, professional-conduct rules apply to:
A. Only structural engineers
B. Only engineers employed by engineering firms
C. Every person holding a license authorized to offer or perform engineering services in Texas
D. Only engineers working on public projects
Answer: C
Ra onale: §137.51 makes the professional-conduct rules binding on every person holding a
license authorized to offer or perform engineering services in Texas.
3. An engineer becomes aware of conduct that presents an unresolved risk to public safety.
What is generally required?
A. Ignore it if the client accepts the risk
B. Report the ma er to the Board or appropriate civil/criminal authori es
C. Resign immediately without repor ng
D. Discuss it only with coworkers
Answer: B
Ra onale: §137.55 requires repor ng when, in the engineer's judgment, an unresolved risk to
the public remains.
4. An engineer should place which considera on above the engineer's personal or financial
interests?
,A. Client profit
B. Employer preference
C. Public health, safety, and welfare
D. Project schedule
Answer: C
Ra onale: Protec on of the public is the fundamental considera on underlying Texas
engineering professional conduct.
5. An engineer discovers that a design decision has created a significant safety concern. The
project manager tells the engineer to remain silent. What is the best ethical response?
A. Remain silent because the manager is responsible
B. Document and communicate the concern appropriately
C. Delete the design records
D. Approve the design anyway
Answer: B
Ra onale: Engineers must communicate professional concerns and take appropriate ac on
when public risks remain unresolved.
6. Which ac vity is most consistent with Texas engineering professional conduct?
A. Misrepresen ng qualifica ons
B. Providing misleading technical informa on
C. Prac cing honestly and ethically
D. Concealing known safety defects
Answer: C
Ra onale: Engineers are required to engage in professional and business ac vi es related to
engineering in an honest and ethical manner.
7. An engineer knowingly violates an applicable engineering regula on because compliance
would delay the project. Is this acceptable?
A. Yes, if the client agrees
B. Yes, if the contractor agrees
, C. No
D. Yes, if the delay exceeds 30 days
Answer: C
Ra onale: Engineers must comply with applicable statutes, codes, regula ons, rules, ordinances,
and standards.
8. Which statement best describes an engineer's responsibility to the profession?
A. Maximize personal financial benefit
B. Maintain honest and ethical professional conduct
C. Avoid repor ng viola ons
D. Follow only employer policies
Answer: B
Ra onale: §137.63 requires engineers to engage in professional and business ac vi es honestly
and ethically.
9. An engineer learns that an employee is engaging in conduct that would violate the Texas
Engineering Prac ce Act if performed by the engineer. What should the engineer do?
A. Ignore the conduct
B. Exercise reasonable care or diligence to prevent the conduct
C. Encourage it if profitable
D. Transfer responsibility to another employee
Answer: B
Ra onale: §137.63 requires engineers to exercise reasonable care or diligence to prevent
partners, associates, and employees from engaging in prohibited conduct.
10. An engineer's primary professional obliga on concerning a dangerous design is to:
A. Protect the project budget
B. Protect the employer's reputa on
C. Protect public health, safety, and welfare
D. Protect the contractor's schedule
