BCBA Ethics Practice Questions
Ethics is the third-largest domain. Questions are based on the Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts and present realistic dilemmas — gifts, multiple relationships, confidentiality, social media, competence, and transitions of care.
What Domain E covers
The 6th Edition Test Content Outline lists 12 tasks in this domain. Baseline has practice questions mapped to every one of them.
- E.1Core ethical principles
- E.2Risks of unethical behavior
- E.3Maintaining competence and professional development
- E.4Confidentiality and protecting information
- E.5Public statements, social media, and misrepresentation
- E.6Discontinuing and transitioning services or supervision
- E.7Multiple relationships and conflicts of interest
- E.8Professional and interpersonal skills
- E.9Cultural humility
- E.10Culturally responsive and inclusive services
- E.11Personal biases
- E.12Legal, regulatory, funding, and licensure requirements
What to master
- The core principles: benefit others; treat others with compassion, dignity, and respect; behave with integrity; ensure competence.
- Multiple relationships, conflicts of interest, and gifts.
- Confidentiality, informed consent, and public statements including social media and testimonials.
- Scope of competence, cultural responsiveness, and personal bias.
- Discontinuing and transitioning services and supervision.
Common traps
- Choosing the most compassionate-sounding answer instead of the one the Code requires.
- Forgetting that a client's parent or caregiver is a stakeholder — many rules apply to them too.
- Skipping the first step: most ethics questions ask what to do first, which is usually to address the risk directly and document it.
Free Ethics practice questions
Try these original questions written to match the format of the BCBA exam.
1. At the end of the year, a client's parent offers the BCBA a $75 gift card as thanks. According to the Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts, what should the BCBA do?
- Politely decline, because gifts may not exceed $10 in value
- Accept it only after services with the family have ended
- Accept it, since a one-time end-of-year gift is acceptable
- Accept it and disclose it to the BCBA's supervisor
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. Politely decline, because gifts may not exceed $10 in value
Code 1.12 (Giving and Receiving Gifts): behavior analysts do not give or accept gifts with a monetary value of more than $10 US dollars from clients, stakeholders, supervisees or trainees. Disclosure doesn't make an over-limit gift acceptable.
2. A BCBA's close friend asks her to provide ABA services to the friend's son. No other providers are available nearby. What is the most appropriate first step?
- Recognize the multiple-relationship risk and look for another provider or arrangement
- Begin services, but keep the friendship and the professional work strictly separate
- Refer the family to a non-certified practitioner who has no relationship with them
- Begin services, since the client needs treatment and no other providers are nearby
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. Recognize the multiple-relationship risk and look for another provider or arrangement
Code 1.11 requires behavior analysts to avoid multiple relationships because of the risk of conflicts of interest and harm. The first step is to avoid it — for example, by locating another qualified provider — and, if it cannot be avoided, to take steps to resolve it and document them.
Practice all 60 Ethics questions
Full Prep includes every question in this domain with explanations, smart practice that targets your weakest tasks, unlimited timed mock exams, and an AI tutor. Start with the free diagnostic to see where you stand.