BCBA Practice Questions: Professional Conduct and Scope of Practice Domain

Published: June 12, 2025 | 5 min read

Test your BCBA knowledge with 5 practice questions from the Professional Conduct and Scope of Practice domain. Includes detailed explanations and answers.

BCBA Practice Questions

Master the Professional Conduct and Scope of Practice Domain

Test your knowledge in the Professional Conduct and Scope of Practice domain with these 5 practice questions. Each question is designed to help you prepare for the BCBA certification exam with detailed explanations to reinforce your learning.

Question 1

A BCBA is designing a behavior intervention plan and realizes they lack expertise in a specific area. What should they do?

A) Proceed with the design using available resources.

B) Consult with or refer to another professional with the necessary expertise.

C) Avoid working with the client until they gain the expertise.

D) Use trial and error to find effective strategies.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: CORRECT: Consulting with or referring to an expert ensures the client receives competent services. OPTION A: Proceeding without expertise could lead to ineffective or harmful interventions. OPTION B: Correct, as it ensures the intervention is designed competently. OPTION C: Avoiding the client could delay necessary services and is not a proactive solution. OPTION D: Trial and error without expertise is unethical and potentially harmful.

Question 2

A BCBA is offered a referral from a physician who suggests a specific treatment approach. How should the BCBA respond?

A) Immediately implement the suggested approach, as it comes from a medical professional.

B) Reject the suggestion and develop an independent treatment plan.

C) Consider the suggestion as one factor among many in developing a comprehensive and data-driven treatment plan.

D) Seek supervision on the physician's suggestion before proceeding.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: Option C is the most professional and responsible. A BCBA should integrate information from various sources but always maintain autonomy in developing and implementing treatment plans. Options A dismisses the importance of independent clinical judgment. Option B is unnecessarily dismissive. Option D is a helpful step but isn't the primary course of action.

Question 3

A BCBA is asked to provide a diagnosis for a client. What is the appropriate response?

A) Provide a diagnosis based on the BCBA's observations.

B) Explain that diagnosing is outside the BCBA's scope of practice and refer to a qualified professional.

C) Use the DSM-5 to make an informal diagnosis.

D) Decline the request without further explanation.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: CORRECT: B is correct because diagnosing is outside the BCBA's scope, and referring to a qualified professional ensures ethical practice. OPTION A: Providing a diagnosis is beyond the BCBA's scope and unethical. OPTION B: Using the DSM-5 for informal diagnosis is not within the BCBA's role. OPTION C: Declining without explanation misses an opportunity for education. OPTION D: Declining without explanation misses an opportunity for education.

Question 4

What is the ethical consideration when a behavior analyst is asked to implement a procedure they are not familiar with?

A) Proceed with the procedure using their best judgment.

B) Refuse the request and terminate the client relationship.

C) Seek additional training or consult with a knowledgeable colleague.

D) Implement a modified version of the procedure.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: It is important for the behavior analyst to either seek additional training or consult with knowledgeable colleagues to ensure effective and ethical implementation of unfamiliar procedures.

Question 5

A BCBA is working with a client who has shown progress with a specific intervention. However, the client's parents insist on using a different, non-evidence-based method. How should the BCBA proceed?

A) Immediately implement the parents' preferred method.

B) Explain the evidence supporting the current intervention and discuss concerns with the parents.

C) Discontinue services until the parents agree to the current method.

D) Report the parents to the appropriate authorities for interfering with treatment.

Show Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: CORRECT: B is correct because it involves communicating the evidence and rationale for the current intervention while respecting the parents' concerns, which is an ethical approach. OPTION A: Implementing a non-evidence-based method without discussion is unethical. OPTION B: Correct answer. OPTION C: Discontinuing services without attempting to resolve the issue is not appropriate. OPTION D: Reporting the parents is an extreme action not warranted in this scenario.

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About BCBA Certification

The BCBA certification validates your expertise in professional conduct and scope of practice and other critical domains. Our comprehensive practice questions are carefully crafted to mirror the actual exam experience and help you identify knowledge gaps before test day.