CALIFORNIA OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST LAW
AND ETHICS EXAMINATION ACTUAL PREP
QUESTIONS AND WELL REVISED ANSWERS -
LATEST AND COMPLETE UPDATE WITH VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS – ASSURED PASS
1. An occupational therapist licensed in California accepts a referral to treat a
client with a condition outside the therapist’s current competence. What is
the MOST appropriate initial action?
A. Proceed with treatment to avoid delaying care
B. Consult with a supervisor after initiating treatment
C. Decline or modify the referral and seek appropriate training or
referral
D. Delegate treatment to an occupational therapy aide
Rationale: California law and professional ethics require practitioners to
practice within their scope and competence. Accepting a case without
competence constitutes unprofessional conduct; the therapist should seek
training, supervision, or refer appropriately.
2. Under California Occupational Therapy Practice Act, which activity may an
occupational therapy aide perform?
A. Independently conduct evaluations
B. Perform non-skilled tasks under direct supervision
C. Provide skilled intervention with general supervision
D. Modify a plan of care
Rationale: Aides may only perform non-skilled, supportive tasks and must
be directly supervised; they cannot provide skilled OT services.
3. A client requests access to their occupational therapy records. According to
California law, the therapist must:
, A. Deny access unless ordered by a court
B. Provide access only after discharge
C. Allow inspection and provide copies within the legally required
timeframe
D. Release records only to another healthcare provider
Rationale: Clients have a legal right to access their records; therapists
must comply within statutory timelines.
4. Which situation BEST represents a dual relationship that may violate ethical
standards?
A. Treating a coworker in an emergency
B. Providing ongoing therapy to a close family member
C. Accepting a thank-you card from a client
D. Collaborating with a client’s physician
Rationale: Providing ongoing services to close family members impairs
objectivity and is generally considered an unethical dual relationship.
5. An OT suspects elder abuse during a home visit. What is the therapist’s legal
obligation in California?
A. Document only in the medical record
B. Discuss concerns with the family first
C. Report to Adult Protective Services or law enforcement immediately
or as soon as practicable
D. Wait for confirmation from another professional
Rationale: OTs are mandated reporters for elder and dependent adult
abuse and must report promptly.
6. Failure to maintain client confidentiality MOST directly violates which
ethical principle?
A. Beneficence
, B. Justice
C. Autonomy
D. Veracity
Rationale: Confidentiality supports client autonomy and self-
determination.
7. An occupational therapist advertises services with claims of “guaranteed
recovery.” This is BEST described as:
A. Acceptable marketing
B. Puffery allowed under free speech
C. False or misleading advertising
D. Client education
Rationale: Guarantees of outcomes are misleading and prohibited under
professional conduct standards.
8. What is the primary purpose of the California Board of Occupational
Therapy (CBOT)?
A. Provide continuing education courses
B. Advocate for OT reimbursement
C. Protect consumers by regulating OT practice
D. Represent therapists in legal matters
Rationale: CBOT’s mission is public protection through licensure and
enforcement.
9. An OT delegates part of an intervention to an OTA. Which factor is MOST
critical in determining appropriateness?
A. Workload demands
B. Reimbursement considerations
C. OTA’s competency and the complexity of the task
D. Client preference
, Rationale: Delegation must consider task complexity and the OTA’s
demonstrated competence.
10. An OT fails to renew their license but continues to practice. This is
considered:
A. A minor administrative error
B. Unlicensed practice and unprofessional conduct
C. Acceptable if renewal is pending
D. Only a civil violation
Rationale: Practicing without a current license is a serious violation
subject to discipline.
11. In California, how long must adult client records generally be retained?
A. 3 years
B. 5 years
C. 7 years
D. Permanently
Rationale: California requires health records for adults to be retained for
at least seven years.
12. An OT receives a subpoena for records. What is the MOST appropriate
response?
A. Ignore it until contacted again
B. Release all records immediately
C. Follow legal requirements and consult legal counsel or employer
policy
D. Refuse due to confidentiality
Rationale: Subpoenas are legal orders requiring careful compliance while
protecting confidentiality.
AND ETHICS EXAMINATION ACTUAL PREP
QUESTIONS AND WELL REVISED ANSWERS -
LATEST AND COMPLETE UPDATE WITH VERIFIED
SOLUTIONS – ASSURED PASS
1. An occupational therapist licensed in California accepts a referral to treat a
client with a condition outside the therapist’s current competence. What is
the MOST appropriate initial action?
A. Proceed with treatment to avoid delaying care
B. Consult with a supervisor after initiating treatment
C. Decline or modify the referral and seek appropriate training or
referral
D. Delegate treatment to an occupational therapy aide
Rationale: California law and professional ethics require practitioners to
practice within their scope and competence. Accepting a case without
competence constitutes unprofessional conduct; the therapist should seek
training, supervision, or refer appropriately.
2. Under California Occupational Therapy Practice Act, which activity may an
occupational therapy aide perform?
A. Independently conduct evaluations
B. Perform non-skilled tasks under direct supervision
C. Provide skilled intervention with general supervision
D. Modify a plan of care
Rationale: Aides may only perform non-skilled, supportive tasks and must
be directly supervised; they cannot provide skilled OT services.
3. A client requests access to their occupational therapy records. According to
California law, the therapist must:
, A. Deny access unless ordered by a court
B. Provide access only after discharge
C. Allow inspection and provide copies within the legally required
timeframe
D. Release records only to another healthcare provider
Rationale: Clients have a legal right to access their records; therapists
must comply within statutory timelines.
4. Which situation BEST represents a dual relationship that may violate ethical
standards?
A. Treating a coworker in an emergency
B. Providing ongoing therapy to a close family member
C. Accepting a thank-you card from a client
D. Collaborating with a client’s physician
Rationale: Providing ongoing services to close family members impairs
objectivity and is generally considered an unethical dual relationship.
5. An OT suspects elder abuse during a home visit. What is the therapist’s legal
obligation in California?
A. Document only in the medical record
B. Discuss concerns with the family first
C. Report to Adult Protective Services or law enforcement immediately
or as soon as practicable
D. Wait for confirmation from another professional
Rationale: OTs are mandated reporters for elder and dependent adult
abuse and must report promptly.
6. Failure to maintain client confidentiality MOST directly violates which
ethical principle?
A. Beneficence
, B. Justice
C. Autonomy
D. Veracity
Rationale: Confidentiality supports client autonomy and self-
determination.
7. An occupational therapist advertises services with claims of “guaranteed
recovery.” This is BEST described as:
A. Acceptable marketing
B. Puffery allowed under free speech
C. False or misleading advertising
D. Client education
Rationale: Guarantees of outcomes are misleading and prohibited under
professional conduct standards.
8. What is the primary purpose of the California Board of Occupational
Therapy (CBOT)?
A. Provide continuing education courses
B. Advocate for OT reimbursement
C. Protect consumers by regulating OT practice
D. Represent therapists in legal matters
Rationale: CBOT’s mission is public protection through licensure and
enforcement.
9. An OT delegates part of an intervention to an OTA. Which factor is MOST
critical in determining appropriateness?
A. Workload demands
B. Reimbursement considerations
C. OTA’s competency and the complexity of the task
D. Client preference
, Rationale: Delegation must consider task complexity and the OTA’s
demonstrated competence.
10. An OT fails to renew their license but continues to practice. This is
considered:
A. A minor administrative error
B. Unlicensed practice and unprofessional conduct
C. Acceptable if renewal is pending
D. Only a civil violation
Rationale: Practicing without a current license is a serious violation
subject to discipline.
11. In California, how long must adult client records generally be retained?
A. 3 years
B. 5 years
C. 7 years
D. Permanently
Rationale: California requires health records for adults to be retained for
at least seven years.
12. An OT receives a subpoena for records. What is the MOST appropriate
response?
A. Ignore it until contacted again
B. Release all records immediately
C. Follow legal requirements and consult legal counsel or employer
policy
D. Refuse due to confidentiality
Rationale: Subpoenas are legal orders requiring careful compliance while
protecting confidentiality.
