Pennsylvania Psychology Law Exam Practice Questions & Answers (150
Q&A) | 2025–2026 Comprehensive Study Guide with Detailed Rationales
Q1
A psychologist receives a subpoena for client records. What should they do first?
A. Immediately release the records
B. Ignore the subpoena
C. Verify if it is a court order or valid subpoena
D. Destroy the records
✅ Answer: C
Rationale: Psychologists must determine legal validity before releasing any records.
Q2
Which principle is MOST important when obtaining informed consent?
A. Payment terms
B. Client understanding and voluntariness
C. Therapist convenience
D. Insurance coverage
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: Informed consent requires understanding, capacity, and voluntary
agreement.
Q3
A psychologist suspects elder abuse. What is required?
A. Keep confidentiality
B. Report to authorities
C. Wait for confirmation
D. Ask the family first
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: Mandatory reporting laws require immediate reporting of suspected abuse.
,Q4
Which is an example of a dual relationship?
A. Group therapy session
B. Treating a client and later hiring them
C. Using CBT
D. Writing progress notes
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: Personal + professional overlap creates a dual relationship.
Q5
Under HIPAA, psychologists must protect:
A. Only written notes
B. Only diagnosis
C. All identifiable health information
D. Only billing records
✅ Answer: C
Q6
A psychologist realizes they are not competent in a specialty area. They should:
A. Continue treatment
B. Seek supervision
C. Refer the client
D. Both B and C
✅ Answer: D
Q7
Which is NOT considered confidential information breach?
A. Reporting child abuse
B. Court order disclosure
C. Client consent
,D. Gossiping with friends
✅ Answer: C
Q8
A psychologist must retain records for at least:
A. 1 year
B. 3–5 years (varies by law/board rules)
C. 10 days
D. Indefinitely always
✅ Answer: B
Q9
What is the primary purpose of APA ethics code?
A. Legal punishment
B. Guidance for professional conduct
C. Insurance regulation
D. Billing standards
✅ Answer: B
Q10
Which action violates confidentiality?
A. Sharing info with consent
B. Supervisory consultation without identity
C. Posting client details online
D. Court-ordered disclosure
✅ Answer: C
Q11
Duty to warn applies when:
A. Client is stressed
B. Client misses session
, C. Client makes credible threat
D. Client requests records
✅ Answer: C
Q12
A psychologist advertising services must ensure:
A. Exaggerated claims
B. Truthful representation
C. Guaranteed cures
D. No disclosure of qualifications
✅ Answer: B
Q13
Telepsychology requires:
A. No consent
B. Special informed consent
C. No privacy rules
D. Informal agreement
✅ Answer: B
Q14
Which is unethical?
A. Supervision
B. Competent practice
C. Sexual relationship with client
D. Documentation
✅ Answer: C
Q15
A psychologist receives a request from police without court order. They should:
A. Immediately comply
Q&A) | 2025–2026 Comprehensive Study Guide with Detailed Rationales
Q1
A psychologist receives a subpoena for client records. What should they do first?
A. Immediately release the records
B. Ignore the subpoena
C. Verify if it is a court order or valid subpoena
D. Destroy the records
✅ Answer: C
Rationale: Psychologists must determine legal validity before releasing any records.
Q2
Which principle is MOST important when obtaining informed consent?
A. Payment terms
B. Client understanding and voluntariness
C. Therapist convenience
D. Insurance coverage
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: Informed consent requires understanding, capacity, and voluntary
agreement.
Q3
A psychologist suspects elder abuse. What is required?
A. Keep confidentiality
B. Report to authorities
C. Wait for confirmation
D. Ask the family first
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: Mandatory reporting laws require immediate reporting of suspected abuse.
,Q4
Which is an example of a dual relationship?
A. Group therapy session
B. Treating a client and later hiring them
C. Using CBT
D. Writing progress notes
✅ Answer: B
Rationale: Personal + professional overlap creates a dual relationship.
Q5
Under HIPAA, psychologists must protect:
A. Only written notes
B. Only diagnosis
C. All identifiable health information
D. Only billing records
✅ Answer: C
Q6
A psychologist realizes they are not competent in a specialty area. They should:
A. Continue treatment
B. Seek supervision
C. Refer the client
D. Both B and C
✅ Answer: D
Q7
Which is NOT considered confidential information breach?
A. Reporting child abuse
B. Court order disclosure
C. Client consent
,D. Gossiping with friends
✅ Answer: C
Q8
A psychologist must retain records for at least:
A. 1 year
B. 3–5 years (varies by law/board rules)
C. 10 days
D. Indefinitely always
✅ Answer: B
Q9
What is the primary purpose of APA ethics code?
A. Legal punishment
B. Guidance for professional conduct
C. Insurance regulation
D. Billing standards
✅ Answer: B
Q10
Which action violates confidentiality?
A. Sharing info with consent
B. Supervisory consultation without identity
C. Posting client details online
D. Court-ordered disclosure
✅ Answer: C
Q11
Duty to warn applies when:
A. Client is stressed
B. Client misses session
, C. Client makes credible threat
D. Client requests records
✅ Answer: C
Q12
A psychologist advertising services must ensure:
A. Exaggerated claims
B. Truthful representation
C. Guaranteed cures
D. No disclosure of qualifications
✅ Answer: B
Q13
Telepsychology requires:
A. No consent
B. Special informed consent
C. No privacy rules
D. Informal agreement
✅ Answer: B
Q14
Which is unethical?
A. Supervision
B. Competent practice
C. Sexual relationship with client
D. Documentation
✅ Answer: C
Q15
A psychologist receives a request from police without court order. They should:
A. Immediately comply
