Ethics and Professional Conduct
What this domain tests
Ethics and professional conduct covers informed consent, competence, confidentiality, multiple relationships, conflicts of interest, cultural responsiveness, least restrictive procedures, documentation, and supervision. Questions present a dilemma and ask for the response that protects the client and follows the code, not the most convenient option.
Core rules
- Obtain informed consent before assessment or intervention; for minors, obtain parent/guardian consent and seek assent.
- Practice within competence; refer or seek supervision when the case exceeds training.
- Avoid multiple relationships that could impair objectivity or exploit the client.
- Maintain confidentiality except where required by law or where there is imminent risk.
- Use the least restrictive effective procedure; punishment requires justification, consent, and monitoring.
- Document decisions, data, and consultation.
- Conflicts between stakeholders are resolved by the client's welfare and the code, not by who pays.
Worked example
A parent asks you to use a time-out and response-cost package for a 5-year-old's tantrums because a relative used it. You have no functional assessment, and the behavior may be maintained by attention. Ethically, you explain that punishment without assessment may strengthen the behavior through escape or attention, propose a functional assessment and a reinforcement-based alternative such as DRA, obtain consent, and document the discussion. Reasoning: the request is not automatically unethical, but you must not implement a restrictive procedure without assessment, consent, and monitoring.
Traps
Bartering for services; accepting substantial gifts; discussing cases on social media; treating parental consent as sufficient without assent; continuing a case outside competence; letting a school or payer override client welfare.