California LCSW Law & Ethics Exam Questions
with Correct Answers and Rationales
Question 1
A therapist receives a subpoena duces tecum for a client’s records in a child
custody dispute. The client has not signed a release. The therapist should FIRST:
A) Comply immediately with the subpoena
B) Assert privilege with the court
C) Contact the client and consult with an attorney
D) Redact sensitive information and then produce the records
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: A subpoena duces tecum is not a court order. The therapist should
notify the client, discuss the request, and consult with an attorney to determine
whether to assert privilege or seek a protective order.
Question 2
A client discloses during a session that he intends to kill his estranged wife. He has
a specific plan and means. The therapist’s duty under California law is to:
A) Warn the wife and notify law enforcement
B) Only notify law enforcement
C) Maintain confidentiality because no release was signed
D) Hospitalize the client immediately without warning anyone
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: California’s Tarasoff duty (Civil Code §43.92) requires reasonable
efforts to warn the intended victim and notify law enforcement when a client has
communicated a serious threat of physical violence against a reasonably
identifiable victim.
Question 3
,A 15-year-old client tells the therapist she is pregnant and does not want her
parents to know. She is seeking an abortion. Under California law, the therapist:
A) Must obtain parental consent before proceeding with therapy
B) Can provide counseling without parental consent because of the minor’s right to
consent to abortion-related services
C) Must report the pregnancy to Child Protective Services
D) Cannot treat the minor without a court order
Correct Answer: B
*Explanation: California law allows minors to consent to pregnancy-related
services, including abortion and prenatal care, without parental consent (Family
Code §6925). The therapist may provide counseling without involving parents.*
Question 4
A therapist has been treating a couple for marital conflict. The husband
individually reveals an extramarital affair and asks the therapist not to tell the wife.
The therapist should:
A) Honor the husband’s request and maintain confidentiality
B) Inform the wife immediately because it affects the marriage
C) Terminate couples therapy and refer both to individual therapists
D) Disclose only if the wife specifically asks
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: In couples therapy, confidentiality applies to information shared
individually unless the couple has agreed otherwise. The therapist should clarify
limits of confidentiality at the outset. The therapist cannot disclose without the
husband’s consent unless there is a duty to warn.
Question 5
A therapist’s former client, who terminated treatment 18 months ago, asks the
therapist for a social friendship on social media. The therapist should:
A) Politely decline and maintain the professional boundary
B) Accept the request because treatment is long over
,C) Accept only if the client initiates all contact
D) First obtain written consent from the client
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Dual relationships, even after termination, can be problematic. The
BBS ethics guidelines advise avoiding social media connections with former clients
to maintain professional boundaries and prevent exploitation or confusion of roles.
Question 6
During the initial session, the client mentions that she has been hospitalized several
times for “severe depression”. The client becomes tense and guarded when the
therapist attempts to explore the hospitalizations, saying that “it’s in the past”. She
also states adamantly that she won’t give permission to get those records. The
therapist should FIRST:
A) Assess her current level of depression
B) Reassure her that the focus will be on the present
C) Acknowledge her right to decide about releasing her records
D) Explore her resistance to sharing her records
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The client has the right to refuse release of records. The therapist
should first respect her autonomy and acknowledge her right to decide. Assessing
current depression is important but not the immediate priority when the client is
asserting a boundary.
Question 7
Obtaining informed consent from clients is:
A) Legal but not ethical
B) Ethical but not legal
C) Both legal and ethical
D) Neither legal nor ethical
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Informed consent is required by California law (BBS regulations)
, and by the NASW Code of Ethics. It is both a legal mandate and an ethical
obligation.
Question 8
A 72-year-old elderly widower is brought for an evaluation to a clinic by his
daughters, both of whom live an hour away from where he still resides in the
family home. The daughters are concerned that there is “no one to look after Dad.”
When they came to visit him, they found the house in complete disarray: full
trashcans, sink overflowing with dirty dishes, clogged toilet, and no clean clothes.
The neurological and mental status exam reveals no dementia. The man is
ambulatory although a cane is recommended. The daughters want to place him in
an assisted living facility, but the father is adamantly opposed and wants to stay in
his home. The therapist’s course of action is to:
A) Request a follow-up appointment with the father and make an adult protective
services report regarding abandonment
B) Discuss with the daughters the possibility of applying for legal guardianship of
their father
C) Respect the client’s right to self-determination and arrange for an in-home
evaluation
D) Advise the daughters to move the father against his will
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The father has decision-making capacity (no dementia). His right to
self-determination must be respected. The therapist should explore supportive
services (e.g., in-home care, cleaning services) rather than forcing placement.
Question 9
When developing a private practice, a therapist should consider all of the following
to ensure continuity of care, EXCEPT:
A) Informing clients of procedures in case of emergencies
B) Developing a professional will
C) Developing alternative resources in case of therapist absences
D) Providing clients with three additional referrals at onset of therapy
with Correct Answers and Rationales
Question 1
A therapist receives a subpoena duces tecum for a client’s records in a child
custody dispute. The client has not signed a release. The therapist should FIRST:
A) Comply immediately with the subpoena
B) Assert privilege with the court
C) Contact the client and consult with an attorney
D) Redact sensitive information and then produce the records
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: A subpoena duces tecum is not a court order. The therapist should
notify the client, discuss the request, and consult with an attorney to determine
whether to assert privilege or seek a protective order.
Question 2
A client discloses during a session that he intends to kill his estranged wife. He has
a specific plan and means. The therapist’s duty under California law is to:
A) Warn the wife and notify law enforcement
B) Only notify law enforcement
C) Maintain confidentiality because no release was signed
D) Hospitalize the client immediately without warning anyone
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: California’s Tarasoff duty (Civil Code §43.92) requires reasonable
efforts to warn the intended victim and notify law enforcement when a client has
communicated a serious threat of physical violence against a reasonably
identifiable victim.
Question 3
,A 15-year-old client tells the therapist she is pregnant and does not want her
parents to know. She is seeking an abortion. Under California law, the therapist:
A) Must obtain parental consent before proceeding with therapy
B) Can provide counseling without parental consent because of the minor’s right to
consent to abortion-related services
C) Must report the pregnancy to Child Protective Services
D) Cannot treat the minor without a court order
Correct Answer: B
*Explanation: California law allows minors to consent to pregnancy-related
services, including abortion and prenatal care, without parental consent (Family
Code §6925). The therapist may provide counseling without involving parents.*
Question 4
A therapist has been treating a couple for marital conflict. The husband
individually reveals an extramarital affair and asks the therapist not to tell the wife.
The therapist should:
A) Honor the husband’s request and maintain confidentiality
B) Inform the wife immediately because it affects the marriage
C) Terminate couples therapy and refer both to individual therapists
D) Disclose only if the wife specifically asks
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: In couples therapy, confidentiality applies to information shared
individually unless the couple has agreed otherwise. The therapist should clarify
limits of confidentiality at the outset. The therapist cannot disclose without the
husband’s consent unless there is a duty to warn.
Question 5
A therapist’s former client, who terminated treatment 18 months ago, asks the
therapist for a social friendship on social media. The therapist should:
A) Politely decline and maintain the professional boundary
B) Accept the request because treatment is long over
,C) Accept only if the client initiates all contact
D) First obtain written consent from the client
Correct Answer: A
Explanation: Dual relationships, even after termination, can be problematic. The
BBS ethics guidelines advise avoiding social media connections with former clients
to maintain professional boundaries and prevent exploitation or confusion of roles.
Question 6
During the initial session, the client mentions that she has been hospitalized several
times for “severe depression”. The client becomes tense and guarded when the
therapist attempts to explore the hospitalizations, saying that “it’s in the past”. She
also states adamantly that she won’t give permission to get those records. The
therapist should FIRST:
A) Assess her current level of depression
B) Reassure her that the focus will be on the present
C) Acknowledge her right to decide about releasing her records
D) Explore her resistance to sharing her records
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The client has the right to refuse release of records. The therapist
should first respect her autonomy and acknowledge her right to decide. Assessing
current depression is important but not the immediate priority when the client is
asserting a boundary.
Question 7
Obtaining informed consent from clients is:
A) Legal but not ethical
B) Ethical but not legal
C) Both legal and ethical
D) Neither legal nor ethical
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Informed consent is required by California law (BBS regulations)
, and by the NASW Code of Ethics. It is both a legal mandate and an ethical
obligation.
Question 8
A 72-year-old elderly widower is brought for an evaluation to a clinic by his
daughters, both of whom live an hour away from where he still resides in the
family home. The daughters are concerned that there is “no one to look after Dad.”
When they came to visit him, they found the house in complete disarray: full
trashcans, sink overflowing with dirty dishes, clogged toilet, and no clean clothes.
The neurological and mental status exam reveals no dementia. The man is
ambulatory although a cane is recommended. The daughters want to place him in
an assisted living facility, but the father is adamantly opposed and wants to stay in
his home. The therapist’s course of action is to:
A) Request a follow-up appointment with the father and make an adult protective
services report regarding abandonment
B) Discuss with the daughters the possibility of applying for legal guardianship of
their father
C) Respect the client’s right to self-determination and arrange for an in-home
evaluation
D) Advise the daughters to move the father against his will
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The father has decision-making capacity (no dementia). His right to
self-determination must be respected. The therapist should explore supportive
services (e.g., in-home care, cleaning services) rather than forcing placement.
Question 9
When developing a private practice, a therapist should consider all of the following
to ensure continuity of care, EXCEPT:
A) Informing clients of procedures in case of emergencies
B) Developing a professional will
C) Developing alternative resources in case of therapist absences
D) Providing clients with three additional referrals at onset of therapy
