CA MFT ETHICAL AND LEGAL ISSUES EXAM
PRACTICE TEST 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS
◉ For ELDER ABUSE within long-term care facility, what are the 4
different abuse situations that have specific different reporting
rules? Answer: 1) non-physical abuse
2) physical abuse resulting in non-serious injury
3) physical abuse resulting in serious injury
4) physical abuse perpetrated by another resident with dementia
◉ T/F: HIPAA only applies to electronic records. Answer: TRUE
◉ T/F: According to HIPAA, psychotherapy notes can be stored
within the same file in a folder. Answer: TRUE (they just can't be on
the same sheet of paper)
◉ What does HIPAA say about psychotherapy notes and a client's
medical record. Answer: They must be SEPARATED from the rest of
the client's medical records, means at lease on separate sheets of
paper.
,◉ T/F: If a client signs HIPAA documents at the beginning of
treatment, psychotherapy notes can be released to HIPAA covered
providers. Answer: FALSE (psychotherapy notes require client's
authorization for release, in contrast to other records)
◉ What are the general HIPAA rules for PSYCHOTHERAPY NOTES, in
contrast to "treatment notes," "medical record," or "psychotherapy
record?"
(3 answers) Answer: 1) they require specific authorization, while
the others are covered by the initial HIPAA documents
2) they are not generally provided to the client if they make a
written request for access to records
3) they are not disclosed with a subpoena
◉ What are the 5 RIGHTS given to clients via HIPAA privacy rules?
Answer: 1) to request restrictions on certain uses/disclosures of PHI
2) to receive confidential communications from health care
providers
3) to inspect/get a copy of PHI
4) to amend their PHI
5) to receive a paper copy of therapist's NPP (Notice of Privacy
Practices)
,◉ Per HIPAA, what are the requirements regarding a therapist's NPP
(Notice of Privacy Practices)? Answer: 1) must be given to clients
before receiving treatment
2) copy of NPP must be posted on therapist's premises and/or
website
3) therapist must get written acknowledgement that client has
received copy of NPP
◉ T/F: Per HIPAA, all covered entities must be assigned an NPI
(National Provider Identifier). Answer: TRUE
◉ DEFINITION: agreement by a patient to a procedure after
achieving an understanding of the relevant facts and the risks
involved Answer: informed consent
◉ DEFINITION: notes documenting or analyzing the contents of a
conversation that occurs during a counseling session; includes
client's secrets, disclosures, and verbatim comments Answer:
psychotherapy notes
◉ T/F: A client's initial INFORMED CONSENT covers all future
treatment, even if there are changes to treatment. Answer: FALSE
(consent should be reviewed if there is a change in treatment)
, ◉ Failure to obtain INFORMED CONSENT constitutes a failure to
maintain ______ and exposes a therapist to ______ liability. Answer:
Failure to obtain informed consent constitutes a failure to maintain
A STANDARD OF CARE and exposes a therapist to CIVIL liability.
◉ What are the LEGAL requirements to be disclosed in an
INFORMED CONSENT?
(6 answers) Answer: 1) fees of service
2) if fictitious business name is being used, name and license of
owners
3) technology utilization
4) license status
5) license should be posted in office
6) NPP if therapist is a HIPAA covered entity
◉ What are the STANDARD OF CARE requirements to be disclosed in
an INFORMED CONSENT?
(9 answers) Answer: 1) limit of confidentiality
2) risks/benefits of treatment
3) alternative treatments
4) Right of Refusal
5) cancellation policy
6) billing procedures
PRACTICE TEST 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS
◉ For ELDER ABUSE within long-term care facility, what are the 4
different abuse situations that have specific different reporting
rules? Answer: 1) non-physical abuse
2) physical abuse resulting in non-serious injury
3) physical abuse resulting in serious injury
4) physical abuse perpetrated by another resident with dementia
◉ T/F: HIPAA only applies to electronic records. Answer: TRUE
◉ T/F: According to HIPAA, psychotherapy notes can be stored
within the same file in a folder. Answer: TRUE (they just can't be on
the same sheet of paper)
◉ What does HIPAA say about psychotherapy notes and a client's
medical record. Answer: They must be SEPARATED from the rest of
the client's medical records, means at lease on separate sheets of
paper.
,◉ T/F: If a client signs HIPAA documents at the beginning of
treatment, psychotherapy notes can be released to HIPAA covered
providers. Answer: FALSE (psychotherapy notes require client's
authorization for release, in contrast to other records)
◉ What are the general HIPAA rules for PSYCHOTHERAPY NOTES, in
contrast to "treatment notes," "medical record," or "psychotherapy
record?"
(3 answers) Answer: 1) they require specific authorization, while
the others are covered by the initial HIPAA documents
2) they are not generally provided to the client if they make a
written request for access to records
3) they are not disclosed with a subpoena
◉ What are the 5 RIGHTS given to clients via HIPAA privacy rules?
Answer: 1) to request restrictions on certain uses/disclosures of PHI
2) to receive confidential communications from health care
providers
3) to inspect/get a copy of PHI
4) to amend their PHI
5) to receive a paper copy of therapist's NPP (Notice of Privacy
Practices)
,◉ Per HIPAA, what are the requirements regarding a therapist's NPP
(Notice of Privacy Practices)? Answer: 1) must be given to clients
before receiving treatment
2) copy of NPP must be posted on therapist's premises and/or
website
3) therapist must get written acknowledgement that client has
received copy of NPP
◉ T/F: Per HIPAA, all covered entities must be assigned an NPI
(National Provider Identifier). Answer: TRUE
◉ DEFINITION: agreement by a patient to a procedure after
achieving an understanding of the relevant facts and the risks
involved Answer: informed consent
◉ DEFINITION: notes documenting or analyzing the contents of a
conversation that occurs during a counseling session; includes
client's secrets, disclosures, and verbatim comments Answer:
psychotherapy notes
◉ T/F: A client's initial INFORMED CONSENT covers all future
treatment, even if there are changes to treatment. Answer: FALSE
(consent should be reviewed if there is a change in treatment)
, ◉ Failure to obtain INFORMED CONSENT constitutes a failure to
maintain ______ and exposes a therapist to ______ liability. Answer:
Failure to obtain informed consent constitutes a failure to maintain
A STANDARD OF CARE and exposes a therapist to CIVIL liability.
◉ What are the LEGAL requirements to be disclosed in an
INFORMED CONSENT?
(6 answers) Answer: 1) fees of service
2) if fictitious business name is being used, name and license of
owners
3) technology utilization
4) license status
5) license should be posted in office
6) NPP if therapist is a HIPAA covered entity
◉ What are the STANDARD OF CARE requirements to be disclosed in
an INFORMED CONSENT?
(9 answers) Answer: 1) limit of confidentiality
2) risks/benefits of treatment
3) alternative treatments
4) Right of Refusal
5) cancellation policy
6) billing procedures
