Wisconsin Counseling Jurisprudence Exam Practical
Questions and Answers
1: Under Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter MPSW, what is the minimum number of
supervised post-degree hours required for an LPC-IT to qualify for independent LPC licensure?
A. 1,000 hours
B. 2,000 hours
C. 3,000 hours
D. 4,000 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 3,000 hours
Rationale: Wisconsin Administrative Code MPSW 3.03 requires LPC-ITs to complete 3,000 hours
of supervised post-master's clinical experience, including at least 1,000 hours of direct client
contact, under an approved supervisor before qualifying for independent LPC licensure.
2: Which Wisconsin statute establishes the legal framework for privileged communication
between a professional counselor and client?
A. Wis. Stat. Chapter 448
B. Wis. Stat. Chapter 905.04
C. Wis. Stat. Chapter 51
D. Wis. Stat. Chapter 146.82
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Wis. Stat. Chapter 905.04
Rationale: Wisconsin Statute 905.04 establishes the psychotherapist-patient privilege, which
protects confidential communications between licensed professional counselors and their
clients from compelled disclosure in legal proceedings, with specific statutory exceptions.
3: Under Wisconsin law, within how many days must a professional counselor report suspected
child abuse or neglect to the appropriate county agency?
A. Immediately
B. Within 24 hours
,C. Within 48 hours
D. Within 72 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Immediately
Rationale: Wisconsin Statute 48.981 requires any person, including professional counselors,
who has reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect to report it immediately to the
county child welfare agency or law enforcement. "Immediately" means as soon as practically
possible.
4: Which Wisconsin administrative code chapter governs the practice of professional counseling
and marriage and family therapy?
A. Chapter MPSW 1-27
B. Chapter Med 1-50
C. Chapter N 1-10
D. Chapter DSPS 1-20
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Chapter MPSW 1-27
Rationale: Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter MPSW (Marriage and Family Therapy,
Professional Counseling, and Social Work) contains the rules governing licensure, scope of
practice, supervision, ethics, and disciplinary procedures for LPCs, LMFTs, and LCSWs.
5: A Wisconsin LPC is seeing a client who discloses intent to harm a specific, identifiable third
party. What is the counselor's legal duty under Wisconsin law?
A. Maintain confidentiality under all circumstances
B. Warn the intended victim and/or notify law enforcement (duty to protect)
C. Document the disclosure but take no further action
D. Terminate the client immediately
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Warn the intended victim and/or notify law enforcement (duty to
protect)
Rationale: Wisconsin follows the "duty to protect" standard (derived from Tarasoff principles).
When a client poses a serious threat of violence to a reasonably identifiable victim, counselors
,have a legal and ethical duty to take reasonable steps to protect the intended victim, which may
include warning the victim, notifying police, or initiating civil commitment.
6: Which of the following is a required element of informed consent for counseling services
under Wisconsin Administrative Code MPSW?
A. Discussion of the counselor's personal religious beliefs
B. Explanation of the limits of confidentiality, including mandatory reporting obligations
C. Written guarantee of treatment outcomes
D. Disclosure of the counselor's malpractice insurance limits
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Explanation of the limits of confidentiality, including mandatory
reporting obligations
Rationale: MPSW 2.02 requires counselors to obtain informed consent that includes discussion
of the nature of services, risks/benefits, alternatives, fees, and importantly, the limits of
confidentiality (e.g., mandatory reporting, duty to protect, supervision, insurance billing).
7: Under Wisconsin law, how long must a professional counselor retain client records after the
last date of service?
A. 3 years
B. 5 years
C. 7 years
D. 10 years
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 7 years
Rationale: Wisconsin Administrative Code MPSW 2.04(3) requires counselors to retain client
records for at least 7 years after the last date of professional service. For minors, records must
be kept until the client reaches age 25 or for 7 years after last service, whichever is longer.
8: Which Wisconsin statute requires mandatory reporting of suspected abuse, neglect, or
financial exploitation of elders (age 60+) or adults with disabilities?
A. Wis. Stat. Chapter 48.981
, B. Wis. Stat. Chapter 55.043 and 55.045
C. Wis. Stat. Chapter 905.04
D. Wis. Stat. Chapter 146.82
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Wis. Stat. Chapter 55.043 and 55.045
Rationale: Wisconsin Statute 55.043 mandates reporting of suspected abuse/neglect of elders
(60+), and Chapter 55.045 covers adults with disabilities (18-59). Reports must be made
immediately to county human services or law enforcement.
9: A Wisconsin LPC-IT is providing counseling services. Which statement about supervision is
correct under MPSW rules?
A. Supervision may be provided by any licensed mental health professional
B. The supervisor must be an approved supervisor who meets specific qualifications and has
completed DSPS-approved training
C. Supervision is only required for the first 1,000 hours of experience
D. Group supervision cannot count toward the required supervision hours
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The supervisor must be an approved supervisor who meets specific
qualifications and has completed DSPS-approved training
Rationale: MPSW 3.04 specifies that LPC-IT supervisors must be approved by the Department of
Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), meet experience/education requirements, and
complete DSPS-approved supervisor training. Both individual and group supervision may count
toward requirements.
10: Under Wisconsin law, which of the following constitutes unprofessional conduct for a
professional counselor?
A. Charging a reasonable fee for services
B. Practicing while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or other substances affecting professional
judgment
C. Referring a client to another provider when outside one's scope of competence
D. Maintaining appropriate professional boundaries
Questions and Answers
1: Under Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter MPSW, what is the minimum number of
supervised post-degree hours required for an LPC-IT to qualify for independent LPC licensure?
A. 1,000 hours
B. 2,000 hours
C. 3,000 hours
D. 4,000 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 3,000 hours
Rationale: Wisconsin Administrative Code MPSW 3.03 requires LPC-ITs to complete 3,000 hours
of supervised post-master's clinical experience, including at least 1,000 hours of direct client
contact, under an approved supervisor before qualifying for independent LPC licensure.
2: Which Wisconsin statute establishes the legal framework for privileged communication
between a professional counselor and client?
A. Wis. Stat. Chapter 448
B. Wis. Stat. Chapter 905.04
C. Wis. Stat. Chapter 51
D. Wis. Stat. Chapter 146.82
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Wis. Stat. Chapter 905.04
Rationale: Wisconsin Statute 905.04 establishes the psychotherapist-patient privilege, which
protects confidential communications between licensed professional counselors and their
clients from compelled disclosure in legal proceedings, with specific statutory exceptions.
3: Under Wisconsin law, within how many days must a professional counselor report suspected
child abuse or neglect to the appropriate county agency?
A. Immediately
B. Within 24 hours
,C. Within 48 hours
D. Within 72 hours
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Immediately
Rationale: Wisconsin Statute 48.981 requires any person, including professional counselors,
who has reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect to report it immediately to the
county child welfare agency or law enforcement. "Immediately" means as soon as practically
possible.
4: Which Wisconsin administrative code chapter governs the practice of professional counseling
and marriage and family therapy?
A. Chapter MPSW 1-27
B. Chapter Med 1-50
C. Chapter N 1-10
D. Chapter DSPS 1-20
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Chapter MPSW 1-27
Rationale: Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter MPSW (Marriage and Family Therapy,
Professional Counseling, and Social Work) contains the rules governing licensure, scope of
practice, supervision, ethics, and disciplinary procedures for LPCs, LMFTs, and LCSWs.
5: A Wisconsin LPC is seeing a client who discloses intent to harm a specific, identifiable third
party. What is the counselor's legal duty under Wisconsin law?
A. Maintain confidentiality under all circumstances
B. Warn the intended victim and/or notify law enforcement (duty to protect)
C. Document the disclosure but take no further action
D. Terminate the client immediately
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Warn the intended victim and/or notify law enforcement (duty to
protect)
Rationale: Wisconsin follows the "duty to protect" standard (derived from Tarasoff principles).
When a client poses a serious threat of violence to a reasonably identifiable victim, counselors
,have a legal and ethical duty to take reasonable steps to protect the intended victim, which may
include warning the victim, notifying police, or initiating civil commitment.
6: Which of the following is a required element of informed consent for counseling services
under Wisconsin Administrative Code MPSW?
A. Discussion of the counselor's personal religious beliefs
B. Explanation of the limits of confidentiality, including mandatory reporting obligations
C. Written guarantee of treatment outcomes
D. Disclosure of the counselor's malpractice insurance limits
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Explanation of the limits of confidentiality, including mandatory
reporting obligations
Rationale: MPSW 2.02 requires counselors to obtain informed consent that includes discussion
of the nature of services, risks/benefits, alternatives, fees, and importantly, the limits of
confidentiality (e.g., mandatory reporting, duty to protect, supervision, insurance billing).
7: Under Wisconsin law, how long must a professional counselor retain client records after the
last date of service?
A. 3 years
B. 5 years
C. 7 years
D. 10 years
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 7 years
Rationale: Wisconsin Administrative Code MPSW 2.04(3) requires counselors to retain client
records for at least 7 years after the last date of professional service. For minors, records must
be kept until the client reaches age 25 or for 7 years after last service, whichever is longer.
8: Which Wisconsin statute requires mandatory reporting of suspected abuse, neglect, or
financial exploitation of elders (age 60+) or adults with disabilities?
A. Wis. Stat. Chapter 48.981
, B. Wis. Stat. Chapter 55.043 and 55.045
C. Wis. Stat. Chapter 905.04
D. Wis. Stat. Chapter 146.82
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Wis. Stat. Chapter 55.043 and 55.045
Rationale: Wisconsin Statute 55.043 mandates reporting of suspected abuse/neglect of elders
(60+), and Chapter 55.045 covers adults with disabilities (18-59). Reports must be made
immediately to county human services or law enforcement.
9: A Wisconsin LPC-IT is providing counseling services. Which statement about supervision is
correct under MPSW rules?
A. Supervision may be provided by any licensed mental health professional
B. The supervisor must be an approved supervisor who meets specific qualifications and has
completed DSPS-approved training
C. Supervision is only required for the first 1,000 hours of experience
D. Group supervision cannot count toward the required supervision hours
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The supervisor must be an approved supervisor who meets specific
qualifications and has completed DSPS-approved training
Rationale: MPSW 3.04 specifies that LPC-IT supervisors must be approved by the Department of
Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), meet experience/education requirements, and
complete DSPS-approved supervisor training. Both individual and group supervision may count
toward requirements.
10: Under Wisconsin law, which of the following constitutes unprofessional conduct for a
professional counselor?
A. Charging a reasonable fee for services
B. Practicing while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or other substances affecting professional
judgment
C. Referring a client to another provider when outside one's scope of competence
D. Maintaining appropriate professional boundaries
