FE ETHICS PRACTICE EXAM TEST QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2025/2026 ALL RATED A+
✔✔This protects an invention or discoveries related to asexual reproduction of any
distinct and new variety plant - ✔✔plant patent
✔✔This protects the ownership of original works of creativity (literacy, musical, and
dramatic works; photographs; audio and visual recordings, software; and other
intellectual works) that are fixed in a tangible medium of expression. - ✔✔copyright
✔✔An engineer has developed a process control algorithm that uniquely mixes
chemicals through a systematic valve opening and closing sequence. The algorithm has
been implemented in a sequence of microprocessor code contained in erasable
programable read-only memory (EPROM) chips distributed to customers. Most likely,
how should the microprocessor code be protected against commercial exploitation by
third parties? - ✔✔copyright
Although the algorithm logic might qualify for patent protection, the sequence of
microprocessor code would be protected by copyright. A trade secret can be protected
only by the owner keeping the information secret (or, through a contract with a third
party to keep the information secret).
✔✔Which organizations typically do NOT enforce codes of ethics for engineers?
a. technical societies
b. national professional societies
c. state professional societies
d. companies that write, administer, and grade licensing exams - ✔✔companies that
write, administer, and grade licensing exams
✔✔While working to revise the design of the suspension for a car, an engineer
discovers a flaw in the design currently being produced. Based on a statistical analysis,
the company determines that although this mistake is likely to cause a small increase in
fatalities seen each year, it would be prohibitively expensive to do a recall to replace the
part. Accordingly the company decides not to issue a recall notice. What should the
engineer do? - ✔✔The engineer's highest obligation is to the public's safety. In most
instances, it would be unethical to take some public action on a matter without providing
the company with the opportunity to resolve the situation internally. In this case,
however, it appears as though the company's senior officers have already reviewed the
case and made a decision. The engineer should notify the National Transportation
Safety Board, providing enough details for them to initiate a formal inquiry.
✔✔Plan stamping - ✔✔Inappropriate use of a stamp by an individual not in responsible
control of the preparation of documents
,✔✔Without your knowledge, an old classmate applies to the company you work for.
Knowing that you recently graduated from the same school, the director or engineering
shows you the application and resume. It turns out you friend exaggerated a lot of
details, but was very smart in school and could help the company. What do you do? -
✔✔You should recommend the applicant, but qualify you recommendation by pointing
out that you think he may have exaggerated some details on the resume.
Engineers are ethically obligated to prevent misrepresentation of their associate's
qualifications. You must make your employer aware of the incorrect facts on the
resume. On the other hard, if you really believe that the applicant would make a good
employee, you should make that recommendation well. Unless you are making the
hiring decision (conflict of interest), ethics requires only that you be truthful. If you
believe the applicant has merit, you should state so. It is the company's decision to
remove or not remove the applicant from consideration because of this transgression.
✔✔To whom/what is a registered engineer's foremost responsibility? - ✔✔public welfare
This includes protection from harm due to conduct as well as competence. No individual
or organization may legitimately direct a registered engineer to harm the public.
✔✔You are an engineer in charge of receiving bids for an upcoming project. One of the
contractors bidding the job is your former employer. The former employer laid you off in
a move to cut costs. Which of the following (one or more) should you do? - ✔✔Inform
your present employer of the situation and remain objective when reviewing bids.
Registrants should remain objective at all times and should notify their employers of
conflicts of interest or situations that could influence the registrants' ability to make
objective decisions.
✔✔In dealing with suppliers an engineer may....
a. unduly delay vendor performance if the client agrees
b. spend personal time outside of the contract to ensure adequate performance
c. prepare plans containing ambiguous design-build references as cost-saving
measures
d. enforce plans and specifications to the letter, without regard to fairness - ✔✔spend
personal time outside of the contract to ensure adequate performance
An engineer not only may, but is required to, ensure performance consistent with plans
and specifications. If a job is intentionally or unintentionally underbid, the engineer will
have to use personal time to complete the project.
✔✔Whistle blowing is best described as calling public attention to.... - ✔✔Secret illegal
behavior by your employer
✔✔Complete the sentence: "The US Department of Justice's successful action in the
1970s against engineering code of ethics that formal prohibited competitive bidding was
based on the premise of.... - ✔✔competitive bidding was required by many government
contracts
, The U.S. Department of Justice's successful challenge was based on antitrust statutes.
Prohibiting competitive bidding was judged to inhibit free competition among design
firms.
✔✔What must be proven for damages to be collected from a strict liability in tort? -
✔✔In order to prove strict liability in tort, it must be shown that a product defect caused
an injury. Negligence need not be proven, nor must the manufacturer know about the
defect before release.
✔✔A material breach of contract occurs when - ✔✔a party fails to perform certain
express or implied obligation, which impairs or destroys the essence of a contract. A
material breach of the contract is a significant event that is grounds for cancelling the
contract entirely. Typically triggering events include failure of the owner to make
payments, the owner causing delays, the owner declaring bankruptcy, the contractor
abandoning the job, or the contractor getting substantially off schedule.
✔✔If a contract has a value engineering clause and a non-contractor suggests to the
owner that a feature or method be used to reduce the annual maintenance cost of the
finished project, what will be the most likely outcome? - ✔✔The contractor will be able
to share one time in the owner's expected cost savings.
Changes to a structure's performance, safety, appearance, or maintenance that benefit
the owner in the long run will be covered by the value engineering clause of a contract.
Normally the contractor is able to share in cost savings in some manner by receiving a
payment or credit to the contract.
✔✔If a contract does not include the boilerplate clause, "Time is of the essence," which
of the following is true? - ✔✔This clause must be included to recover damages due to
delay.
✔✔A tort is - ✔✔a civil wrong committed against a person or his/her property which
results in some form of damages. Torts are normally resolved through lawsuits.
✔✔Which statement is true regarding the legality and enforceability of contracts? -
✔✔In order for a contract to be legally binding, it must
be established for a legal purpose,
contain a mutual agreement by all parties,
have consideration, or an exchange of something of value,
not obligate parties to perform illegal activity,
not be between parties that are mentally incompetent, minors, or do not otherwise have
the power to enter into the contract
A contract does not need to use as its basis or include a purchase order to be
enforceable. Oral contracts may be legally bending in some instances, depending on
ANSWERS 2025/2026 ALL RATED A+
✔✔This protects an invention or discoveries related to asexual reproduction of any
distinct and new variety plant - ✔✔plant patent
✔✔This protects the ownership of original works of creativity (literacy, musical, and
dramatic works; photographs; audio and visual recordings, software; and other
intellectual works) that are fixed in a tangible medium of expression. - ✔✔copyright
✔✔An engineer has developed a process control algorithm that uniquely mixes
chemicals through a systematic valve opening and closing sequence. The algorithm has
been implemented in a sequence of microprocessor code contained in erasable
programable read-only memory (EPROM) chips distributed to customers. Most likely,
how should the microprocessor code be protected against commercial exploitation by
third parties? - ✔✔copyright
Although the algorithm logic might qualify for patent protection, the sequence of
microprocessor code would be protected by copyright. A trade secret can be protected
only by the owner keeping the information secret (or, through a contract with a third
party to keep the information secret).
✔✔Which organizations typically do NOT enforce codes of ethics for engineers?
a. technical societies
b. national professional societies
c. state professional societies
d. companies that write, administer, and grade licensing exams - ✔✔companies that
write, administer, and grade licensing exams
✔✔While working to revise the design of the suspension for a car, an engineer
discovers a flaw in the design currently being produced. Based on a statistical analysis,
the company determines that although this mistake is likely to cause a small increase in
fatalities seen each year, it would be prohibitively expensive to do a recall to replace the
part. Accordingly the company decides not to issue a recall notice. What should the
engineer do? - ✔✔The engineer's highest obligation is to the public's safety. In most
instances, it would be unethical to take some public action on a matter without providing
the company with the opportunity to resolve the situation internally. In this case,
however, it appears as though the company's senior officers have already reviewed the
case and made a decision. The engineer should notify the National Transportation
Safety Board, providing enough details for them to initiate a formal inquiry.
✔✔Plan stamping - ✔✔Inappropriate use of a stamp by an individual not in responsible
control of the preparation of documents
,✔✔Without your knowledge, an old classmate applies to the company you work for.
Knowing that you recently graduated from the same school, the director or engineering
shows you the application and resume. It turns out you friend exaggerated a lot of
details, but was very smart in school and could help the company. What do you do? -
✔✔You should recommend the applicant, but qualify you recommendation by pointing
out that you think he may have exaggerated some details on the resume.
Engineers are ethically obligated to prevent misrepresentation of their associate's
qualifications. You must make your employer aware of the incorrect facts on the
resume. On the other hard, if you really believe that the applicant would make a good
employee, you should make that recommendation well. Unless you are making the
hiring decision (conflict of interest), ethics requires only that you be truthful. If you
believe the applicant has merit, you should state so. It is the company's decision to
remove or not remove the applicant from consideration because of this transgression.
✔✔To whom/what is a registered engineer's foremost responsibility? - ✔✔public welfare
This includes protection from harm due to conduct as well as competence. No individual
or organization may legitimately direct a registered engineer to harm the public.
✔✔You are an engineer in charge of receiving bids for an upcoming project. One of the
contractors bidding the job is your former employer. The former employer laid you off in
a move to cut costs. Which of the following (one or more) should you do? - ✔✔Inform
your present employer of the situation and remain objective when reviewing bids.
Registrants should remain objective at all times and should notify their employers of
conflicts of interest or situations that could influence the registrants' ability to make
objective decisions.
✔✔In dealing with suppliers an engineer may....
a. unduly delay vendor performance if the client agrees
b. spend personal time outside of the contract to ensure adequate performance
c. prepare plans containing ambiguous design-build references as cost-saving
measures
d. enforce plans and specifications to the letter, without regard to fairness - ✔✔spend
personal time outside of the contract to ensure adequate performance
An engineer not only may, but is required to, ensure performance consistent with plans
and specifications. If a job is intentionally or unintentionally underbid, the engineer will
have to use personal time to complete the project.
✔✔Whistle blowing is best described as calling public attention to.... - ✔✔Secret illegal
behavior by your employer
✔✔Complete the sentence: "The US Department of Justice's successful action in the
1970s against engineering code of ethics that formal prohibited competitive bidding was
based on the premise of.... - ✔✔competitive bidding was required by many government
contracts
, The U.S. Department of Justice's successful challenge was based on antitrust statutes.
Prohibiting competitive bidding was judged to inhibit free competition among design
firms.
✔✔What must be proven for damages to be collected from a strict liability in tort? -
✔✔In order to prove strict liability in tort, it must be shown that a product defect caused
an injury. Negligence need not be proven, nor must the manufacturer know about the
defect before release.
✔✔A material breach of contract occurs when - ✔✔a party fails to perform certain
express or implied obligation, which impairs or destroys the essence of a contract. A
material breach of the contract is a significant event that is grounds for cancelling the
contract entirely. Typically triggering events include failure of the owner to make
payments, the owner causing delays, the owner declaring bankruptcy, the contractor
abandoning the job, or the contractor getting substantially off schedule.
✔✔If a contract has a value engineering clause and a non-contractor suggests to the
owner that a feature or method be used to reduce the annual maintenance cost of the
finished project, what will be the most likely outcome? - ✔✔The contractor will be able
to share one time in the owner's expected cost savings.
Changes to a structure's performance, safety, appearance, or maintenance that benefit
the owner in the long run will be covered by the value engineering clause of a contract.
Normally the contractor is able to share in cost savings in some manner by receiving a
payment or credit to the contract.
✔✔If a contract does not include the boilerplate clause, "Time is of the essence," which
of the following is true? - ✔✔This clause must be included to recover damages due to
delay.
✔✔A tort is - ✔✔a civil wrong committed against a person or his/her property which
results in some form of damages. Torts are normally resolved through lawsuits.
✔✔Which statement is true regarding the legality and enforceability of contracts? -
✔✔In order for a contract to be legally binding, it must
be established for a legal purpose,
contain a mutual agreement by all parties,
have consideration, or an exchange of something of value,
not obligate parties to perform illegal activity,
not be between parties that are mentally incompetent, minors, or do not otherwise have
the power to enter into the contract
A contract does not need to use as its basis or include a purchase order to be
enforceable. Oral contracts may be legally bending in some instances, depending on
