Quiz 5: FE Civil Ethics and Professional Practice

Questions in this quiz (10)

1. In contract law, what does the doctrine of equitable estoppel mean?

   • All contracts must be fair and balanced for both parties
   • A party may be prevented from asserting a right if their prior actions led another party to reasonably rely on a different understanding
   • Courts have the authority to revise contract terms to ensure fairness
   • Arbitration must occur before any litigation

2. According to the NSPE Code of Ethics, when matters of public policy are involved, engineers should:

   • Avoid participating in political or policy-related discussions
   • Clearly communicate the possible impacts of deviating from accepted engineering standards
   • Support the position of their employer regardless of the situation
   • Stay silent to avoid conflict or controversy

3. A pay if paid provision in a subcontract generally means:

   • The subcontractor is guaranteed payment within a specified time frame
   • The contractor’s obligation to pay the subcontractor depends on receiving payment from the owner
   • The owner must pay the subcontractor directly
   • Payments follow a fixed schedule regardless of project progress

4. Under the NCEES Model Law, if an engineer allows their license to lapse:

   • They may continue practicing for a limited grace period
   • They must stop practicing engineering until the license is reinstated
   • They lose all previously accumulated professional experience credit
   • They are required to retake the PE exam to regain licensure

5. Which of the following statements is correct regarding the proper use of an engineer’s professional seal?

   • The seal should only be used on documents prepared under the engineer’s responsible charge
   • The seal can be placed on any document produced by the engineer’s firm
   • The use of a seal is optional for construction-related documents
   • The seal may be shared with other licensed engineers within the same firm

6. Under the NCEES Model Law, what does the designation engineer intern or engineer in training refer to?

   • A student currently enrolled in an engineering degree program
   • An engineer licensed outside the U. S. seeking licensure domestically
   • An unlicensed engineer working under supervision
   • An individual who has passed the FE exam but has not yet become licensed as a PE

7. In an engineering contract, a hold harmless clause generally:

   • Prevents either party from initiating legal action
   • Requires one party to assume liability and protect the other from certain claims
   • Ensures that no defects will occur in the project
   • Fixes the project timeline regardless of changes

8. According to professional ethical guidelines, if an engineer becomes aware that their employer is making a decision that violates applicable laws, the engineer should:

   • Immediately resign from the position
   • Report the issue to authorities without notifying the employer
   • First attempt to resolve the issue internally and, if unsuccessful, consider reporting to the appropriate authorities
   • Record the issue but take no further action

9. In engineering practice, the term standard of care refers to:

   • The highest level of performance achievable in the profession
   • The degree of skill and competence typically exercised by engineers in similar circumstances
   • The minimum standards outlined in building codes
   • The requirements specified in a project contract

10. According to the ASCE Code of Ethics, engineers must avoid engaging in conduct that involves:

    • Participating in competitive bidding for public projects
    • Dishonesty, fraud, deception, or misrepresentation
    • Critiquing public policies
    • Accepting work outside their primary area of expertise