Free Examination of Ethics and New Mexico Jurisprudence Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Examination of Ethics and New Mexico Jurisprudence practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A psychologist uses psychological methods to counsel a family in New Mexico without charging a fee. Does the lack of payment place the service outside the statutory practice of psychology?

   1. A. Yes, because no compensation or other personal gain is received for the family counseling.
   2. B. Yes, because family counseling counts only when the service is billed to a third party.
   3. C. No, because rendering psychological services to families remains covered regardless of payment.
   4. D. No, but only if the psychologist also performs a psychological test during the visit.

   Answer: C

   Explanation: The Act includes rendering psychological services to “individuals, families or groups regardless of whether payment is received for services rendered.” The family counseling remains within the practice definition even without a fee.

   Reference: 2024 New Mexico SB 127, final enrolled Act — Section 1, 61-9-3(I), pages 2–3

2. 2A corporation contracts for services primarily benefiting the organization. Under the board definitions, who is the client?

   1. A. The individual receiving the service
   2. B. The corporation
   3. C. The legal guardian
   4. D. The referring professional

   Answer: B

   Explanation: 16.22.1.7(L) NMAC states that “a corporate entity or other organization is a client” when the contract primarily benefits the organization; therefore the corporation is the client.

   Reference: 16.22.1 NMAC — 16.22.1.7(L) NMAC

3. 3An applicant seeks initial New Mexico psychologist licensure. Which educational record meets the core doctoral route in Part 4, assuming all other requirements are met?

   1. A. A master's degree in clinical psychology from an accredited institution with postdegree practice.
   2. B. A doctoral degree with a major in clinical psychology from a qualifying designated or accredited doctoral psychology program.
   3. C. A doctorate in an unrelated field supplemented by continuing education in psychotherapy.
   4. D. A doctoral psychology program without a clinical, counseling, or school psychology major.

   Answer: B

   Explanation: Part 4 requires a qualifying doctoral psychology program and a degree “with a major in clinical, counseling or school psychology.” The applicant's clinical psychology doctorate satisfies this education route; the other paths omit a required element.

   Reference: 16.22.4 NMAC — 16.22.4.8(A)

4. 4What minimum yearly total of one-to-one postdoctoral supervision does New Mexico's 16.22.6.9 require?

   1. A. 15 hours
   2. B. 40 hours
   3. C. 60 hours
   4. D. At least 46 hours

   Answer: D

   Explanation: 16.22.6.9(B) NMAC specifies one hour per week and at least 46 hours per year. The controlling text states “one hour per week for a total at least 46 hours of one-to-one supervision per year”.

   Reference: 16.22.6 NMAC — 16.22.6.9(B) NMAC

5. 5Under New Mexico rules, how many cultural-diversity CPE hours are required in each two-year reporting period?

   1. A. One
   2. B. Two
   3. C. Four
   4. D. Eight

   Answer: B

   Explanation: 16.22.9.9(C) NMAC requires two hours of cultural-diversity CPE per two-year period. The controlling text states “two hours of cultural diversity”.

   Reference: 16.22.9 NMAC — 16.22.9.9(C) NMAC

6. 6A psychologist associate is generally supervised by a board-certified psychiatrist and begins conducting cognitive tests. Who must supervise the associate's testing work?

   1. A. A licensed psychologist who agrees to supervise that testing practice.
   2. B. The board-certified psychiatrist who supervises the associate's other work.
   3. C. A licensed physician assistant who works in the same clinical setting.
   4. D. The associate's employer if the employer reviews the final test reports.

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Part 12 says that if an associate conducts psychological or cognitive testing, the associate “shall be supervised in this area of practice by a licensed psychologist.” A psychiatrist may supervise other associate practice but not replace that testing supervisor.

   Reference: 16.22.12 NMAC — 16.22.12.8(A)(1)

7. 7A prescribing psychologist starts medication to manage a direct side effect of psychotropic treatment. After 20 business days, the psychologist still cannot reach the practitioner overseeing the patient's general medical care to discuss the side-effect treatment. What must the psychologist do?

   1. A. Continue side-effect treatment while documenting attempts to reach the practitioner.
   2. B. Pause the side-effect treatment until the practitioner becomes available to discuss it.
   3. C. Discontinue the side-effect treatment by tapering consistent with the standard of care.
   4. D. Continue side-effect treatment and arrange a later peer review of the prescription.

   Answer: C

   Explanation: Part 21 states that after failed contact for the 20-business-day discussion, the psychologist “shall discontinue the side effect treatment by tapering in a fashion consistent with the standard of care.” Documenting attempts, pausing without a taper, and waiting for peer review do not perform the required discontinuation.

   Reference: 16.22.21 NMAC — 16.22.21.8(H)

8. 8A conditional prescribing psychologist buys malpractice insurance covering prescribing work. What minimum per-occurrence and aggregate limits does Part 24 require?

   1. A. $500,000 per occurrence and $1,000,000 aggregate.
   2. B. $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate.
   3. C. $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 aggregate.
   4. D. $2,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 aggregate.

   Answer: C

   Explanation: Part 24 requires coverage “no less than one million dollars per occurrence with an aggregate limit of three million dollars.” The question asks for the exact minimum pair; greater coverage may be allowed but is not the prescribed minimum.

   Reference: 16.22.24 NMAC — 16.22.24.9(A)

9. 9Part 27 generally prohibits a prescribing psychologist from treating pain disorders with opioid narcotics. Which opioid is expressly excepted from that prohibition?

   1. A. Morphine.
   2. B. Hydrocodone.
   3. C. Buprenorphine.
   4. D. Oxycodone.

   Answer: C

   Explanation: Part 27 prohibits treating pain disorders “with opioid narcotics with the exception of buprenorphine.” The named exception is buprenorphine; the other listed opioids are not named as exceptions. Other prescribing limits still apply.

   Reference: 16.22.27 NMAC — 16.22.27.8(C)(1)

10. 10A conditional prescribing psychologist holds both federal DEA and New Mexico controlled-substance registrations. With which board must the psychologist register to participate in the state prescription monitoring program?

    1. A. The New Mexico board of pharmacy.
    2. B. The New Mexico medical board.
    3. C. The psychologist examiners board.
    4. D. The New Mexico board of nursing.

    Answer: A

    Explanation: Part 30 says PMP participation “requires registering with the board of pharmacy.” The medical, psychology, and nursing boards have different regulatory roles and are not the specified PMP registration board.

    Reference: 16.22.30 NMAC — 16.22.30.8(A)