CA Law & Ethics Exam – BBS [ACTUAL EXAM] LATEST
VERSION [QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS] DETAILED AND
VERIFIED FOR GUARANTEED PASS- LATEST UPDATE 2025
GRADED A (BRAND NEW!!)
Clients have the right to sue their clinician for - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔
abandonment
The client is legally entitled to adequate information from the therapist - CORRECT
ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ before the client provides consent to treat
Clinicians should take additional steps if necessary to ensure - CORRECT ANSWER
✔✔✔✔✔ a client's comprehension of the informed consent contract
couples should be informed that - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ both reconciliation
and separation are possible outcomes of therapy
terminating services in order to pursue a social, financial, or sexual relationship with a
client is - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ never acceptable
If a 13 year old seeks and consents for his own treatment - CORRECT ANSWER
✔✔✔✔✔ His parents still need to have a release of information (ROI) whether he
consented or not
A therapist must obtain signed informed consent prior to treatment... - CORRECT
ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ if it is a minor, yes, if it's an adult the consent doesn't need to be
signed before starting treatment
When treating a couple - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ the clinician needs to get
informed consent from both of the individuals in the couple treatment
Termination rights for both the clinician and the client - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔
should be included in the informed consent
Legally, fees must be disclosed - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ before the onset of
therapy
A therapist should document that he/she obtained - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔
informed consent for treatment from the client
,The therapist has an ethical AND legal duty to inform clients of possible outcomes of
treatment - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ in order to remain within the standard of
care
A therapist should obtain a ___________ and ______________ informed consent for
the use of any challenging or novel modalities including any involving touch -
CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ DISTINCT, SEPARATE
The therapist is responsible for providing appropriate referrals for continuity of care
when the client initiates termination - T/F? - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ False - it
has to be the therapist terminating treatment to be responsible for providing referrals
Managing confidentiality is both a ________________ and __________________ issue
- CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ LEGAL & ETHICAL
The exceptions to confidentiality are: - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ 1) by a client's
written consent to release information 2) legal mandate 3) legal permission to release
information
If a husband calls for information about his wife who is in treatment, the therapist
should... - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ NOT assert privilege - the client is the wife
and privilege relates to the ROI in a LEGAL setting - the wifes confidentiality is
protected in this case
The term privilege - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ relates to the release of
information in a legal setting
A therapist is obligated to break confidentiality if... - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔
there is reasonable suspicion of child abuse
A therapist CAN (not just should) break confidentiality if the client is suicidal because... -
CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ Typically, a client needs to state an intent to act on
those thoughts and have a specific suicide plan before hospitalization is considered -
suicidal thoughts may not be enough to break confidentiality.
A therapist is mandated to break confidentiality if there is reasonable suspicion of -
CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ elder abuse (65 and older)
If a client has a plan to vandalize someone's car, the therapist is not required to warn
the victim and warn the police - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ The therapist needs
to warn the victim and/or police of the client threatens to cause physical harm (tarasoff)
If a new client indicates signs of ___________________ and ________________, a
prudent therapist would assess for suicide - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔
Hopelessness & Depression
,If a client makes a serious threat to harm an identifiable other, the therapist must warn -
CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ the police
Someone over the age of _______ is considered an elder - CORRECT ANSWER
✔✔✔✔✔ 65
Therapist are NOT mandated to report _________________ - CORRECT ANSWER
✔✔✔✔✔ domestic violence
If a 65-year-old woman shares that her husband hit her, the therapist should report
_________________________ to the police. - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ elder
abuse
When a clinician faces a legal action against them initiated by the client, the BBS OR a
district attorney, the therapist ____________________________ - CORRECT
ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ is permitted to break confidentiality
If another clinician contacts you stating that he/she has a release, are you able to
provide the information being requested??? - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ No, you
nee a copy of the release (Get things in writing, not just verbal release)
A ___________________ confidentiality contract is a good way to clarify clients'
resonsiblity and protect the clinician. - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ group
When treating a minor, who holds the privilege? - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ The
privilege rest with the guardian Adlitem - may not be the parent*
If an adult client shares they were a victim of child abuse as a minor and the perpetrator
still has access to children, the therapist MUST file a child abuse report when... -
CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ the therapist has reasonable suspicion - the
perpetrator still has access to the children to it was be a safe bet to make a report.
Are therapist ALWAYS required to obtain written consent from a parent or guardian
before releasing any confidential information about a minor? - CORRECT ANSWER
✔✔✔✔✔ Not ALWAYS - it depends - if the client/minor discloses child abuse, the
report needs to be made and it may put the child in danger if the perpetrator is the
parent
The parent/guardian must provide legal consent for a minor's treatment if the minor is
under __________ years old - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ 12
It is a therapist's _________________ responsibility to make an effort to learn and
understand cultural assumptions of their client - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔
ethical
, A therapist should never provide false information to an insurance company for the
purpose of obtaining treatment because... - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ it is
unethical (duh)
Therapist are ethically responsible to take reasonable care in - CORRECT ANSWER
✔✔✔✔✔ maintaining client confidentiality while using electronic devices
If an HIV+ client discloses intent to have unprotected sex with someone, what is the
legal duty of the therapist? - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ the therapist must
maintain confidentiality - clients who are HIV+ are under the protected status
When informed of child abuse, a therapist must make an immediate report and follow up
with a written report within _____________________________ hours - CORRECT
ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ 36
When informed of elder or dependent adult abuse, a therapist must make the report
immediately and follow up with a written report within _________ working days -
CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ 2
When filing a report the therapist is allowed to share information about the case.... -
CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ that they think is relevant to report - using your best
clinical judgement
Therapist do not need to document their reasons for filing an abuse report ..... -
CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ True - they don't need to document why the report
was made - when you are a mandated reported it is protected and your documentation
could be suppeanoed by the people you reported on
Privilege - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ is the right of the client to maintain
confidentiality regarding the LEGAL System
If a client initiates a lawsuit claiming emotional injury.... - CORRECT ANSWER
✔✔✔✔✔ attorneys for the opposing side are entitled to said client's records
privilege is suspended if either a ___________ or ____________________ sues the
other - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ client or therapist
If a lawyer subpoenas a client's records without a release, and the therapist is unable to
contact the client ... - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ the therapist cannot turn over
those records without a release
professional duty begins as soon as the client enters into an ______________ or
_________________ therapeutic contract - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ implicit
OR explicit
VERSION [QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS] DETAILED AND
VERIFIED FOR GUARANTEED PASS- LATEST UPDATE 2025
GRADED A (BRAND NEW!!)
Clients have the right to sue their clinician for - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔
abandonment
The client is legally entitled to adequate information from the therapist - CORRECT
ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ before the client provides consent to treat
Clinicians should take additional steps if necessary to ensure - CORRECT ANSWER
✔✔✔✔✔ a client's comprehension of the informed consent contract
couples should be informed that - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ both reconciliation
and separation are possible outcomes of therapy
terminating services in order to pursue a social, financial, or sexual relationship with a
client is - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ never acceptable
If a 13 year old seeks and consents for his own treatment - CORRECT ANSWER
✔✔✔✔✔ His parents still need to have a release of information (ROI) whether he
consented or not
A therapist must obtain signed informed consent prior to treatment... - CORRECT
ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ if it is a minor, yes, if it's an adult the consent doesn't need to be
signed before starting treatment
When treating a couple - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ the clinician needs to get
informed consent from both of the individuals in the couple treatment
Termination rights for both the clinician and the client - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔
should be included in the informed consent
Legally, fees must be disclosed - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ before the onset of
therapy
A therapist should document that he/she obtained - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔
informed consent for treatment from the client
,The therapist has an ethical AND legal duty to inform clients of possible outcomes of
treatment - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ in order to remain within the standard of
care
A therapist should obtain a ___________ and ______________ informed consent for
the use of any challenging or novel modalities including any involving touch -
CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ DISTINCT, SEPARATE
The therapist is responsible for providing appropriate referrals for continuity of care
when the client initiates termination - T/F? - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ False - it
has to be the therapist terminating treatment to be responsible for providing referrals
Managing confidentiality is both a ________________ and __________________ issue
- CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ LEGAL & ETHICAL
The exceptions to confidentiality are: - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ 1) by a client's
written consent to release information 2) legal mandate 3) legal permission to release
information
If a husband calls for information about his wife who is in treatment, the therapist
should... - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ NOT assert privilege - the client is the wife
and privilege relates to the ROI in a LEGAL setting - the wifes confidentiality is
protected in this case
The term privilege - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ relates to the release of
information in a legal setting
A therapist is obligated to break confidentiality if... - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔
there is reasonable suspicion of child abuse
A therapist CAN (not just should) break confidentiality if the client is suicidal because... -
CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ Typically, a client needs to state an intent to act on
those thoughts and have a specific suicide plan before hospitalization is considered -
suicidal thoughts may not be enough to break confidentiality.
A therapist is mandated to break confidentiality if there is reasonable suspicion of -
CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ elder abuse (65 and older)
If a client has a plan to vandalize someone's car, the therapist is not required to warn
the victim and warn the police - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ The therapist needs
to warn the victim and/or police of the client threatens to cause physical harm (tarasoff)
If a new client indicates signs of ___________________ and ________________, a
prudent therapist would assess for suicide - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔
Hopelessness & Depression
,If a client makes a serious threat to harm an identifiable other, the therapist must warn -
CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ the police
Someone over the age of _______ is considered an elder - CORRECT ANSWER
✔✔✔✔✔ 65
Therapist are NOT mandated to report _________________ - CORRECT ANSWER
✔✔✔✔✔ domestic violence
If a 65-year-old woman shares that her husband hit her, the therapist should report
_________________________ to the police. - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ elder
abuse
When a clinician faces a legal action against them initiated by the client, the BBS OR a
district attorney, the therapist ____________________________ - CORRECT
ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ is permitted to break confidentiality
If another clinician contacts you stating that he/she has a release, are you able to
provide the information being requested??? - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ No, you
nee a copy of the release (Get things in writing, not just verbal release)
A ___________________ confidentiality contract is a good way to clarify clients'
resonsiblity and protect the clinician. - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ group
When treating a minor, who holds the privilege? - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ The
privilege rest with the guardian Adlitem - may not be the parent*
If an adult client shares they were a victim of child abuse as a minor and the perpetrator
still has access to children, the therapist MUST file a child abuse report when... -
CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ the therapist has reasonable suspicion - the
perpetrator still has access to the children to it was be a safe bet to make a report.
Are therapist ALWAYS required to obtain written consent from a parent or guardian
before releasing any confidential information about a minor? - CORRECT ANSWER
✔✔✔✔✔ Not ALWAYS - it depends - if the client/minor discloses child abuse, the
report needs to be made and it may put the child in danger if the perpetrator is the
parent
The parent/guardian must provide legal consent for a minor's treatment if the minor is
under __________ years old - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ 12
It is a therapist's _________________ responsibility to make an effort to learn and
understand cultural assumptions of their client - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔
ethical
, A therapist should never provide false information to an insurance company for the
purpose of obtaining treatment because... - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ it is
unethical (duh)
Therapist are ethically responsible to take reasonable care in - CORRECT ANSWER
✔✔✔✔✔ maintaining client confidentiality while using electronic devices
If an HIV+ client discloses intent to have unprotected sex with someone, what is the
legal duty of the therapist? - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ the therapist must
maintain confidentiality - clients who are HIV+ are under the protected status
When informed of child abuse, a therapist must make an immediate report and follow up
with a written report within _____________________________ hours - CORRECT
ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ 36
When informed of elder or dependent adult abuse, a therapist must make the report
immediately and follow up with a written report within _________ working days -
CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ 2
When filing a report the therapist is allowed to share information about the case.... -
CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ that they think is relevant to report - using your best
clinical judgement
Therapist do not need to document their reasons for filing an abuse report ..... -
CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ True - they don't need to document why the report
was made - when you are a mandated reported it is protected and your documentation
could be suppeanoed by the people you reported on
Privilege - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ is the right of the client to maintain
confidentiality regarding the LEGAL System
If a client initiates a lawsuit claiming emotional injury.... - CORRECT ANSWER
✔✔✔✔✔ attorneys for the opposing side are entitled to said client's records
privilege is suspended if either a ___________ or ____________________ sues the
other - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ client or therapist
If a lawyer subpoenas a client's records without a release, and the therapist is unable to
contact the client ... - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ the therapist cannot turn over
those records without a release
professional duty begins as soon as the client enters into an ______________ or
_________________ therapeutic contract - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔✔✔✔ implicit
OR explicit
