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MARYLAND LABOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST
CERTIFICATION EXAM – 2026/2027 COMPLETE (150)
CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
LABOR
Prepare effectively for the Maryland Labor Relations Specialist Certification Exam
with this focused study resource. It supports review of labor relations principles,
workplace policies, employee relations, collective bargaining, employment
regulations, and professional responsibilities. Use the material to reinforce your
knowledge, review key topics, and identify areas that may require additional study.
This resource is suited for labor relations professionals, human resources specialists,
workplace administrators, and candidates preparing for Maryland certification
examinations.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
DOMAIN 1: FOUNDATIONS OF LABOR RELATIONS (Questions 1–25)
Question #1
In the context of labor relations, what is the primary purpose of the National
Labor Relations Act (NLRA) of 1935, also known as the Wagner Act?
A. To prohibit unions from engaging in unfair labor practices
B. To protect the rights of employees to organize and bargain collectively
C. To regulate the internal affairs of labor unions
D. To establish the minimum wage and overtime standards
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The NLRA (Wagner Act) was enacted to protect the rights of
employees to organize, form, join, or assist labor organizations, and to
bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing.
Question #2
A Labor Relations Specialist in Maryland is advising a client on collective
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bargaining. Which of the following best defines "collective bargaining" as it
applies under state and federal labor laws?
A. A process where management unilaterally sets the terms of employment
B. A process where representatives of the employer and the union
negotiate wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment
C. A legal procedure for decertifying a union
D. A method for resolving individual employee grievances through arbitration
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Collective bargaining is a mutual obligation where
representatives of the employer and the exclusive representative of
employees meet to confer in good faith regarding wages, hours, and other
terms and conditions of employment.
Question #3
Which of the following is a "unfair labor practice" (ULP) by an employer
under Section 8(a) of the NLRA?
A. Refusing to bargain collectively with the employees' representative
B. Interfering with, restraining, or coercing employees in the exercise of their
rights
C. Dominating or interfering with the formation or administration of any labor
organization
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: All of these actions are prohibited employer unfair labor
practices under Section 8(a) of the NLRA, including interference, domination,
and refusal to bargain.
Question #4
Which federal law sought to protect union members from possible
wrongdoing on the part of their unions, such as corruption and undemocratic
practices?
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A. Norris-LaGuardia Act
B. Taft-Hartley Act
C. Wagner Act
D. Landrum-Griffin Act
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The Landrum-Griffin Act (Labor-Management Reporting and
Disclosure Act) of 1959 was enacted to protect union members from abusive
union leadership practices.
Question #5
Under the NLRA, what is the role of the National Labor Relations Board
(NLRB) ?
A. To mediate all labor disputes in the private sector
B. To conduct representation elections and investigate unfair labor
practice charges
C. To set wage and hour standards for unionized workers
D. To arbitrate collective bargaining impasses
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The NLRB is an independent federal agency with two primary
functions: conducting secret-ballot elections to determine whether
employees want union representation, and investigating and remedying unfair
labor practices.
Question #6
Which of the following is a protected concerted activity under the NLRA?
A. Two employees discussing their wages during a break
B. An employee filing a grievance about unsafe working conditions
C. Employees refusing to work overtime in protest of a workplace policy
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Protected concerted activity includes actions by two or more
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employees acting together to improve wages, hours, or working conditions.
This includes discussing wages, filing grievances, and refusing to work
overtime in protest.
Question #7
What is the difference between a union shop and an agency shop?
A. In a union shop, employees must join the union after a probationary
period; in an agency shop, employees pay union fees but do not join
B. In a union shop, employees pay fees but do not join; in an agency shop,
employees must join
C. Both require full union membership
D. Neither requires any form of union participation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A union shop requires all employees to become union
members after a specified period, while an agency shop requires non-
members to pay union fees (for representation costs) but does not require full
membership.
Question #8
Which federal law expanded the list of unfair labor practices to include
actions by unions, such as coercing employees to join a union?
A. Wagner Act
B. Taft-Hartley Act
C. Landrum-Griffin Act
D. Civil Rights Act
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Taft-Hartley Act of 1947 amended the NLRA to include unfair
labor practices by unions (Section 8(b)), such as coercing employees, causing
an employer to discriminate, and engaging in secondary boycotts.
MARYLAND LABOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST
CERTIFICATION EXAM – 2026/2027 COMPLETE (150)
CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
LABOR
Prepare effectively for the Maryland Labor Relations Specialist Certification Exam
with this focused study resource. It supports review of labor relations principles,
workplace policies, employee relations, collective bargaining, employment
regulations, and professional responsibilities. Use the material to reinforce your
knowledge, review key topics, and identify areas that may require additional study.
This resource is suited for labor relations professionals, human resources specialists,
workplace administrators, and candidates preparing for Maryland certification
examinations.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
DOMAIN 1: FOUNDATIONS OF LABOR RELATIONS (Questions 1–25)
Question #1
In the context of labor relations, what is the primary purpose of the National
Labor Relations Act (NLRA) of 1935, also known as the Wagner Act?
A. To prohibit unions from engaging in unfair labor practices
B. To protect the rights of employees to organize and bargain collectively
C. To regulate the internal affairs of labor unions
D. To establish the minimum wage and overtime standards
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The NLRA (Wagner Act) was enacted to protect the rights of
employees to organize, form, join, or assist labor organizations, and to
bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing.
Question #2
A Labor Relations Specialist in Maryland is advising a client on collective
, Page 2 of 58
bargaining. Which of the following best defines "collective bargaining" as it
applies under state and federal labor laws?
A. A process where management unilaterally sets the terms of employment
B. A process where representatives of the employer and the union
negotiate wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment
C. A legal procedure for decertifying a union
D. A method for resolving individual employee grievances through arbitration
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Collective bargaining is a mutual obligation where
representatives of the employer and the exclusive representative of
employees meet to confer in good faith regarding wages, hours, and other
terms and conditions of employment.
Question #3
Which of the following is a "unfair labor practice" (ULP) by an employer
under Section 8(a) of the NLRA?
A. Refusing to bargain collectively with the employees' representative
B. Interfering with, restraining, or coercing employees in the exercise of their
rights
C. Dominating or interfering with the formation or administration of any labor
organization
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: All of these actions are prohibited employer unfair labor
practices under Section 8(a) of the NLRA, including interference, domination,
and refusal to bargain.
Question #4
Which federal law sought to protect union members from possible
wrongdoing on the part of their unions, such as corruption and undemocratic
practices?
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A. Norris-LaGuardia Act
B. Taft-Hartley Act
C. Wagner Act
D. Landrum-Griffin Act
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The Landrum-Griffin Act (Labor-Management Reporting and
Disclosure Act) of 1959 was enacted to protect union members from abusive
union leadership practices.
Question #5
Under the NLRA, what is the role of the National Labor Relations Board
(NLRB) ?
A. To mediate all labor disputes in the private sector
B. To conduct representation elections and investigate unfair labor
practice charges
C. To set wage and hour standards for unionized workers
D. To arbitrate collective bargaining impasses
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The NLRB is an independent federal agency with two primary
functions: conducting secret-ballot elections to determine whether
employees want union representation, and investigating and remedying unfair
labor practices.
Question #6
Which of the following is a protected concerted activity under the NLRA?
A. Two employees discussing their wages during a break
B. An employee filing a grievance about unsafe working conditions
C. Employees refusing to work overtime in protest of a workplace policy
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Protected concerted activity includes actions by two or more
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employees acting together to improve wages, hours, or working conditions.
This includes discussing wages, filing grievances, and refusing to work
overtime in protest.
Question #7
What is the difference between a union shop and an agency shop?
A. In a union shop, employees must join the union after a probationary
period; in an agency shop, employees pay union fees but do not join
B. In a union shop, employees pay fees but do not join; in an agency shop,
employees must join
C. Both require full union membership
D. Neither requires any form of union participation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A union shop requires all employees to become union
members after a specified period, while an agency shop requires non-
members to pay union fees (for representation costs) but does not require full
membership.
Question #8
Which federal law expanded the list of unfair labor practices to include
actions by unions, such as coercing employees to join a union?
A. Wagner Act
B. Taft-Hartley Act
C. Landrum-Griffin Act
D. Civil Rights Act
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The Taft-Hartley Act of 1947 amended the NLRA to include unfair
labor practices by unions (Section 8(b)), such as coercing employees, causing
an employer to discriminate, and engaging in secondary boycotts.
