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Professional Responsibilities

Integrity & objectivity practice questions

10 original sample questions on integrity & objectivity. Pick an answer, then open the explanation. Review the integrity & objectivity study notes first if you like.

1. A client asks you to also evaluate a commercial boiler you have never been trained on. Working within your competence means:

  1. Inspecting everything regardless
  2. Avoiding all referrals
  3. Guessing when unsure
  4. Inspecting only what you are qualified to
Show answer & explanation

Answer: D. Inspecting only what you are qualified to

Know and respect your limits.

2. A client asks the inspector to hide a defect from the lender. The inspector should:

  1. Write two versions of the report
  2. Decline to misrepresent findings
  3. Remove it from the lender's copy
  4. Ask the agent what to do
Show answer & explanation

Answer: B. Decline to misrepresent findings

Never participate in deception.

3. A neighbor asks what you found wrong with the house next door. Keeping client information private is part of:

  1. Code compliance
  2. Repair work and contracting
  3. Professional ethics
  4. Marketing strategy
Show answer & explanation

Answer: C. Professional ethics

Confidentiality protects clients.

4. A prospective client asks if you hold a license you have applied for but not received. Being truthful means:

  1. Claiming expertise in all areas
  2. Hiding licensing
  3. Exaggerating experience
  4. Not misrepresenting licenses or certifications
Show answer & explanation

Answer: D. Not misrepresenting licenses or certifications

Honesty about qualifications is an ethical duty.

5. A contractor offers to pay for the inspector's lunch every week in exchange for referrals. The best response is:

  1. Accept as long as the lunches are under $20
  2. Accept and refer the contractor more often
  3. Decline because it creates a conflict of interest
  4. Accept and disclose it only if a client happens to ask
Show answer & explanation

Answer: C. Decline because it creates a conflict of interest

Gifts for referrals compromise objectivity.

6. Accepting gifts from agents in return for referrals can:

  1. Compromise objectivity
  2. Increase client trust
  3. Improve report accuracy
  4. Reduce liability
Show answer & explanation

Answer: A. Compromise objectivity

Ethics codes discourage compensation tied to referrals.

7. A client mentions another inspector's report missed issues you found. You should avoid statements that:

  1. Disparage other inspectors unfairly
  2. Name a trade
  3. Explain limits
  4. Describe defects
Show answer & explanation

Answer: A. Disparage other inspectors unfairly

Professional conduct includes respect.

8. Accepting referral fees from contractors for recommending them is:

  1. Normal everywhere
  2. Required by law
  3. Good business practice
  4. A conflict of interest
Show answer & explanation

Answer: D. A conflict of interest

Ethics codes prohibit it.

9. A client offers the inspector a cash tip after the inspection. The best response depends on:

  1. The size of the tip only
  2. Ethics rules and whether it could influence the report
  3. Whether the seller or the agent happens to be watching
  4. What the agent prefers
Show answer & explanation

Answer: B. Ethics rules and whether it could influence the report

Avoid anything affecting objectivity.

10. Advertising "we find every defect" is a problem because:

  1. It is required advertising language
  2. It is too modest a claim
  3. It describes the standards exactly
  4. It overstates what an inspection can do
Show answer & explanation

Answer: D. It overstates what an inspection can do

Honest advertising.

Original practice items for study only, not actual exam questions. Content may contain errors.