Social Science Law Civil Law
California Law & Ethics
Exam: Key Topics and
Practice Questions
Verified and Provided
with A+ Graded Answers
|Latest Updated 2026
,California Law & Ethics exam
Administered by Pearson VUE on behalf of the California
Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), consisting of 50 scored
multiple-choice items and 25 pretest (unscored) items.
Test structure
50 scored multiple-choice items + 25 pretest (unscored) items
= 75 items total, with 90 minutes allotted.
Content weighting
Roughly 40% Law and 60% Ethics, focusing on California
statutes/regulations and professional ethical standards.
,Passing cutoff
Historically near ~70% of the scored items, varies by cycle.
Mandatory reporting
Mandated reporters must report known or reasonably
suspected child abuse immediately or as required by statute.
Child abuse reporting
Mandated reporters must report known or reasonably
suspected child abuse immediately (Penal Code §11166).
, Elder & dependent adult abuse
Understand definitions (elder, dependent adult), mandate to
report, and reporting mechanism (Welfare & Institutions Code
§15600 et seq.).
Duty to protect
Established by Tarasoff v. Regents, requiring protection of
potential victims when a client poses a serious threat of
violence.
Confidentiality & privileged communication
Governed by HIPAA and California law; includes exceptions
for mandated reporting, danger to self/others, and court
orders.
Informed consent
Elements include risks/benefits, treatment limits,
confidentiality limits, fees, and telehealth consents.
California Law & Ethics
Exam: Key Topics and
Practice Questions
Verified and Provided
with A+ Graded Answers
|Latest Updated 2026
,California Law & Ethics exam
Administered by Pearson VUE on behalf of the California
Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS), consisting of 50 scored
multiple-choice items and 25 pretest (unscored) items.
Test structure
50 scored multiple-choice items + 25 pretest (unscored) items
= 75 items total, with 90 minutes allotted.
Content weighting
Roughly 40% Law and 60% Ethics, focusing on California
statutes/regulations and professional ethical standards.
,Passing cutoff
Historically near ~70% of the scored items, varies by cycle.
Mandatory reporting
Mandated reporters must report known or reasonably
suspected child abuse immediately or as required by statute.
Child abuse reporting
Mandated reporters must report known or reasonably
suspected child abuse immediately (Penal Code §11166).
, Elder & dependent adult abuse
Understand definitions (elder, dependent adult), mandate to
report, and reporting mechanism (Welfare & Institutions Code
§15600 et seq.).
Duty to protect
Established by Tarasoff v. Regents, requiring protection of
potential victims when a client poses a serious threat of
violence.
Confidentiality & privileged communication
Governed by HIPAA and California law; includes exceptions
for mandated reporting, danger to self/others, and court
orders.
Informed consent
Elements include risks/benefits, treatment limits,
confidentiality limits, fees, and telehealth consents.
