NCE (Ethics) Exam Questions and
Answers 100% Pass
aspirational ethics - ✔✔describes ideal or optimal practice
mandatory ethics - ✔✔a. guidelines that are strictly enforced
b. involve consequences for breaking them
c. standards of practice
Which group has been most instrumental in opposing counselor licensure? -
✔✔Psychologists
NBCC - ✔✔National Board for Certified Counselors, created by the ACA to focus on
professional credentialing
APGA - ✔✔American Personal and Guidance Association (formed in 1952), which later
became the AACD and is now the ACA
By passing the NCE, a counselor can attain ___, given via the NBCC - ✔✔NCC, a
generic certification for counselors
Certifications are secured ___ , while licenses are conferred ___ - ✔✔nationally; by state
scope of practice concept - ✔✔suggests that counselors should only practice using
techniques for which they have been trained or with a given population
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,Professional ethics encompasses 5 dimensions: - ✔✔1. knowledge, skill and judgment
for interventions
2. dignity/freedom of client
3. responsibility of power
4. instilling public confidence in profession
5. welfare of client
Ethics define - ✔✔standards of behavior set forth by organizations and certification
bodies (ACA, NBCC)
The primary responsibility of the counselor is to ____ - ✔✔respect the dignity and
promote the welfare of clients
Most ethical dilemmas are related to - ✔✔confidentiality
Counselors are encouraged to contribute to society by ___ - ✔✔devoting a portion of
their professional activities to little or no financial return (pro bono)
What are the six ethical principles? - ✔✔1. autonomy
2. nonmaleficence
3. beneficence
4. justice
5. fidelity
6. veracity
autonomy - ✔✔respect for the inherent freedom and dignity of each person to make
choices for themselves
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,nonmaleficence - ✔✔do no harm and avoid preventable risks
beneficence - ✔✔work for the good of the client or group
justice - ✔✔treat all members fairly and with dignity, and avoid bias
fidelity - ✔✔faithfulness to promises made and to the truth, loyalty
veracity - ✔✔telling the truth
Competence refers to a person's ___, not their ___. - ✔✔performance; abilities
Tarasoff vs. Board of Regents of UCA - ✔✔illuminated the duty to warn a client in
imminent danger
Law privileged communication - ✔✔a. privileged communication set by state
b. you cannot reveal what a client said in a session in court unless the client allows you
to do so
c. exceptions include child abuse, suicide, homicide, and if you are being lawsuit-ed
informed consent - ✔✔clients have the freedom to choose whether to enter into
counseling and need adequate information about the counseling process and counselor
If counseling a minor or incapacitated adult, what does informed consent look like? -
✔✔counselors must seek the assent of clients to services and include them in decision
making as appropriate
What does the code say about mandated clients? - ✔✔a. must explain limits to
confidentiality
b. if refuse services, counselor will discuss with the client potential consequences of
refusing services
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, What does the code say about personal values? - ✔✔counselors must be aware of - and
avoid imposing - own values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors
defamation - ✔✔behavior that can damage one's reputation
State laws can govern title usage and practice, however, they do not cover -
✔✔accreditation
Suicidal warning signs include - ✔✔a. repeatedly joking about killing self
b. giving away possessions
c. previous suicide attempt
d. detailed plan for the future
Is privileged communication protected in every state? - ✔✔No
Privileged communication is not applicable in which cases? - ✔✔Child abuse, neglect,
or exploitation; Suicide or homicide threats, Criminal intentions, Clients in need of
hospitalization, or Malpractice lawsuits
Is privileged communication applicable to minors? - ✔✔No, although their legal
guardians typically hold the privilege
When counselors state that privileged communication is "qualified," they mean that -
✔✔exceptions may exist
Exceptions to confidentiality: - ✔✔child abuse
client danger to self or others
client requests release of information
court orders release of information
counselor engaged in supervision
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Answers 100% Pass
aspirational ethics - ✔✔describes ideal or optimal practice
mandatory ethics - ✔✔a. guidelines that are strictly enforced
b. involve consequences for breaking them
c. standards of practice
Which group has been most instrumental in opposing counselor licensure? -
✔✔Psychologists
NBCC - ✔✔National Board for Certified Counselors, created by the ACA to focus on
professional credentialing
APGA - ✔✔American Personal and Guidance Association (formed in 1952), which later
became the AACD and is now the ACA
By passing the NCE, a counselor can attain ___, given via the NBCC - ✔✔NCC, a
generic certification for counselors
Certifications are secured ___ , while licenses are conferred ___ - ✔✔nationally; by state
scope of practice concept - ✔✔suggests that counselors should only practice using
techniques for which they have been trained or with a given population
100% Pass Guarantee Emily Charlene All Rights Reserved © 2025 1
,Professional ethics encompasses 5 dimensions: - ✔✔1. knowledge, skill and judgment
for interventions
2. dignity/freedom of client
3. responsibility of power
4. instilling public confidence in profession
5. welfare of client
Ethics define - ✔✔standards of behavior set forth by organizations and certification
bodies (ACA, NBCC)
The primary responsibility of the counselor is to ____ - ✔✔respect the dignity and
promote the welfare of clients
Most ethical dilemmas are related to - ✔✔confidentiality
Counselors are encouraged to contribute to society by ___ - ✔✔devoting a portion of
their professional activities to little or no financial return (pro bono)
What are the six ethical principles? - ✔✔1. autonomy
2. nonmaleficence
3. beneficence
4. justice
5. fidelity
6. veracity
autonomy - ✔✔respect for the inherent freedom and dignity of each person to make
choices for themselves
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,nonmaleficence - ✔✔do no harm and avoid preventable risks
beneficence - ✔✔work for the good of the client or group
justice - ✔✔treat all members fairly and with dignity, and avoid bias
fidelity - ✔✔faithfulness to promises made and to the truth, loyalty
veracity - ✔✔telling the truth
Competence refers to a person's ___, not their ___. - ✔✔performance; abilities
Tarasoff vs. Board of Regents of UCA - ✔✔illuminated the duty to warn a client in
imminent danger
Law privileged communication - ✔✔a. privileged communication set by state
b. you cannot reveal what a client said in a session in court unless the client allows you
to do so
c. exceptions include child abuse, suicide, homicide, and if you are being lawsuit-ed
informed consent - ✔✔clients have the freedom to choose whether to enter into
counseling and need adequate information about the counseling process and counselor
If counseling a minor or incapacitated adult, what does informed consent look like? -
✔✔counselors must seek the assent of clients to services and include them in decision
making as appropriate
What does the code say about mandated clients? - ✔✔a. must explain limits to
confidentiality
b. if refuse services, counselor will discuss with the client potential consequences of
refusing services
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, What does the code say about personal values? - ✔✔counselors must be aware of - and
avoid imposing - own values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors
defamation - ✔✔behavior that can damage one's reputation
State laws can govern title usage and practice, however, they do not cover -
✔✔accreditation
Suicidal warning signs include - ✔✔a. repeatedly joking about killing self
b. giving away possessions
c. previous suicide attempt
d. detailed plan for the future
Is privileged communication protected in every state? - ✔✔No
Privileged communication is not applicable in which cases? - ✔✔Child abuse, neglect,
or exploitation; Suicide or homicide threats, Criminal intentions, Clients in need of
hospitalization, or Malpractice lawsuits
Is privileged communication applicable to minors? - ✔✔No, although their legal
guardians typically hold the privilege
When counselors state that privileged communication is "qualified," they mean that -
✔✔exceptions may exist
Exceptions to confidentiality: - ✔✔child abuse
client danger to self or others
client requests release of information
court orders release of information
counselor engaged in supervision
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