Free NPPE Practice Exam: 10 Sample Questions with Answers

Who this free NPPE practice exam is for

This page is designed for aspiring engineers in Canada who:

• Have already registered (or plan to register soon) for the NPPE and want to see free NPPE practice questions first.
• Previously wrote the NPPE and want to test their understanding before a rewrite.
• Are working through Topic I – Professionalism and Topic II – Ethics and want extra scenarios.

If you are just starting out with Topic I, you can also watch our free lesson: NPPE Topic I – Professionalism video and overview.

10 free NPPE practice exam questions (with answers)

The real NPPE is multiple choice. For each practice question below, choose the single best answer, then check the answer and explanation.

We’ll start with five questions on Topic I – Professionalism.

Question 1 – Quebec bridge collapses

The Quebec Bridge collapses that occurred in 1907 and 1916 caused the deaths of over 85 men as well as substantial monetary damages. Numerous issues were identified in both collapses, ranging from poor communication, inadequate funding and monitoring, to incompetence. As a result of the devastation caused by these collapses, which of the following did provincial governments proceed to do?

• A. Pass the first Acts to license professional architects.
• B. Pass the first laws governing the funding requirements for structural engineering projects.
• C. Pass the first Acts to license professional engineers.
• D. Pass the first laws governing acceptable bridge designs.

Correct answer: C

Syllabus topic I.3 – “Pass the first Acts to license professional engineers” is the correct answer. The devastation caused by the collapse of the two Quebec Bridges led provincial governments to pass the first Act to license professional engineers in Canada. These collapses highlighted the importance of adequate funding, competent professionals, and clear communication – all more easily achieved through regulating the engineering profession. Ethics 5th ed., pp. 20–27 or 6th ed., pp. 18–24 or Quebec Bridge Disaster.

Question 2 – Safety equipment

According to most Occupational Health and Safety Acts (OHS), when a specific job or duty requires personal protective equipment or the use of safety devices, it is the _______’s responsibility to ensure that it is worn/used, and it is the ______’s responsibility to supply the safety equipment.

• A. Employee / provincial or territorial government.
• B. Worker / employer.
• C. Employer / provincial or territorial association.
• D. Supervisor / employer.

Correct answer: B

Syllabus topic I.2 – “Worker / employer” is the correct answer. When a specific job or duty requires personal protective equipment or the use of safety devices, it is the worker’s responsibility to ensure that it is worn/used, and it is the employer’s responsibility to supply the safety equipment. “At all times, when the nature of the work requires, the worker must use all devices and wear all personal protective equipment…provided for the worker’s protection by the worker’s employer…” Therefore, in summary, the worker must wear or use all personal protective equipment, which the employer must supply. All other answers are incorrect. Occupational Health and Safety Act, Part 1, section 5.

Question 3 – Accountable for those under their supervision

Taylor, P.Eng., a senior engineer at his firm, has been mentoring a new employee, Owen, P.Eng. Though Owen is fully licensed and has finished his education and experience requirements, the firm has requested that Taylor oversee Owen’s first few projects and seal them to ensure accuracy and good quality. Yesterday, Owen asked Taylor to review his first completed technical drawings and stamp them once checked. Taylor knows that he must carry out a “thorough review.” According to most association guidelines, what suffices as a “thorough review” in this scenario?

• A. Taylor must review the work to the degree that he feels he can accept responsibility for it.
• B. Taylor must spend at least half the time it took Owen to finish the drawings to review them.
• C. Taylor must completely duplicate the work to thoroughly review it since Owen was not working under his direct supervision.
• D. Taylor must only briefly review the work since Owen is a licensed P.Eng. and the report likely has few errors.

Correct answer: A

Syllabus topic I.2 – “Taylor must review the work to the degree that he feels he can accept responsibility for it” is the best answer. Provincial and territorial guidelines do not set a fixed amount of review required before sealing another person’s work. Instead, engineers must use professional judgment to determine whether they can take responsibility for the document. In some cases, this may require only a brief review; in others, it could require a complete independent check. Therefore, Taylor must review the work until he is confident he can accept responsibility for it, regardless of the time or effort involved. Ethics 5th ed. p. 101 or 6th ed. p. 98 (section 4.8), or APEGA guideline section 3.1.2.

Question 4 – Iron ring

Mackenzie is about to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. She received her invitation to the “iron ring ceremony” and her actual graduation ceremony. For personal reasons, Mackenzie wishes to forego the ring ceremony but does attend her graduation ceremony, where she receives her degree. Which of the following statements is the truest regarding an individual who does not participate in the iron ring ceremony and, therefore, does not wear the iron ring?

• A. The individual can become a licensed engineer but not join any technical societies.
• B. The individual can become a licensed engineer, but cannot work on projects that could endanger public welfare because they did not take the oath.
• C. The individual cannot become licensed by their provincial or territorial association, and therefore cannot legally practise.
• D. The individual can become a licensed engineer and practise the same way as an individual who participated in the ring ceremony.

Correct answer: D

Syllabus topic I.3 – “The individual can become a licensed engineer and practice in the same way as someone who participated in the ring ceremony” is the correct answer. The Iron Ring ceremony is voluntary and based on personal choice. Those who do not participate cannot wear the ring, but they can still become licensed and practise engineering the same as those who do. Ethics 5th ed., p. 443 or 6th ed., pp. 441–442 (section 18.6) or Iron Ring ceremony.

Question 5 – Final drawings

Randy, P.Eng., has been working on a subway extension project in Vancouver, B.C. This project has taken over 2 years to design, so there are countless design drawings and documents. Randy knows that final drawings and documents must be sealed, signed and dated, but what, if anything, should Randy do to the preliminary documents?

• A. He should seal the documents and leave them otherwise unmarked.
• B. Randy should not seal the documents and clearly print “Preliminary” on them.
• C. Randy should not seal the documents and leave them unmarked.
• D. He should seal the documents, but clearly print “Preliminary” on them.

Correct answer: B

Syllabus topic I.3 – “Randy should not seal the documents and should clearly mark them ‘Preliminary’” is the correct answer. Only final designs and drawings should be sealed. Preliminary documents should instead be marked “Preliminary” or “Not for Construction” to prevent misuse and reduce the risk of damage, injury, or unnecessary costs. Ethics 5th ed. p. 51 or 6th ed. p. 48 (section 2.14) or EGBC Guide to the Standard for the Authentication of Documents (section 3.2.3).

Now, here are five questions on Topic II – Ethics.

Question 6 – Different ethical perspectives

Mill’s utilitarianism, Kant’s formalism, Locke’s rights ethics and Aristotle’s virtue ethics are all examples of:

• A. Theories.
• B. Epistemology.
• C. Metaphysics.
• D. Logic.

Correct answer: A

Syllabus topic II.2 – “Theories” is the correct answer. Mill’s utilitarianism, Kant’s formalism, Locke’s rights ethics and Aristotle’s virtue ethics are all ethical/moral theories. Logic, epistemology and metaphysics are other branches of philosophy. Ethics 5th or 6th ed. p. 206 (section 9.2) or The Nature of Morality and Moral Theories.

Question 7 – Disclosure

As a new professional member, your company invites you to participate in office product purchasing decisions for a new corporate headquarters. One of the companies your team is considering is one in which you hold stocks. Which of the following best describes your obligation to your company to disclose your stock holdings?

• A. If the company has a policy on conflict of interest, then you must disclose it.
• B. Disclosing your holdings is only necessary if you hold a large value and your company’s contract will be substantial.
• C. The Code of Ethics requires you to disclose all conflicts of interest.
• D. You have no obligation, as the stocks cannot be altered by a single individual.

Correct answer: C

Syllabus topic II.4 – “The Code of Ethics requires you to disclose all conflicts of interest” is the correct answer. Every association’s Code of Ethics has a clause that requires you to disclose any conflict without delay, regardless of the size or whether your company has a conflict policy. Ethics 5th ed. p. 265 or 6th ed. p. 264 and your association’s Code of Ethics or Professional Engineers Act (section 77.3).

Question 8 – Relating law and ethics

Ideology in ethics and law is often very similar, as regulations usually result from society’s collective ethical beliefs becoming authoritative legislation. As a professional, you are responsible for following the laws of your jurisdiction and ensuring that you are acting and practising ethically. If one fails to abide by the laws of their jurisdiction, they will likely face legal consequences. Similarly, if a professional acts unethically, they will likely face disciplinary action from their association. Which of the following statements is most true regarding how law and ethics relate to one another?

• A. All unethical behaviour is criminal, but not all criminal behaviour is unethical.
• B. Criminal behaviour is never unethical, and unethical behaviour is never criminal.
• C. Criminal behaviour is always unethical, and unethical behaviour is always criminal.
• D. All criminal behaviour is unethical, but not all unethical behaviour is criminal.

Correct answer: D

Syllabus topic II.3 – “All criminal behaviour is unethical, but not all unethical behaviour is criminal” is the correct answer. Criminal acts, such as fraud, are generally both illegal and unethical and may result in criminal and disciplinary consequences. However, some unethical actions, such as allowing another person to use a professional seal, are not criminal offences and would typically only lead to disciplinary action by the regulator. Law text p. 15 (2nd or 3rd ed.) or p. 20 (4th ed.) or What is the Difference Between Unethical and Illegal Business Practices?

Question 9 – Design ownership

Eric, P.Eng., runs a civil engineering design company. His client gave his company a set of designs that another firm had designed and used previously on a similar apartment project. Eric’s company only had to make minor adjustments to the new building and worksite design. Eric would like to use this same design for other projects because it is a great starting template for apartment buildings. Who owns this design, and as a result, is it possible for Eric to use this same design again in the future?

• A. Eric and the client now share design ownership equally and either has the right to use it again in the future.
• B. Eric now owns the design since it was given to him by the client, and therefore he may use it again in the future.
• C. The client owns this design. However, if Eric receives express permission from the client, he may duplicate it in the future.
• D. The client owns this design, and therefore Eric cannot duplicate it in the future.

Correct answer: C

Syllabus topic II.4 – “The client owns this design. However, if Eric receives express permission from the client, he may duplicate it in the future” is the correct answer. When a design is given to the professional by a client, the design remains the client’s property. Therefore, the design cannot be used again by the professional unless the client gives express permission. All other answers are incorrect. Ethical Practice, section 4.3.3.

Question 10 – Golden Rule and ethical theories

Complete the following sentence with the most correct answer. It can be argued that the Golden Rule, “do unto others as you would have others do unto you,” is an example of an agreement between which key ethical theories?

• A. Kant’s duty‑based ethics, Mill’s utilitarianism, Locke’s rights‑based ethics, and Aristotle’s virtue‑based ethics.
• B. Kant’s duty‑based ethics, Mill’s utilitarianism and Aristotle’s virtue‑based ethics.
• C. Locke’s rights‑based ethics and Mill’s utilitarianism.
• D. Aristotle’s virtue‑based ethics and Locke’s rights‑based ethics.

Correct answer: A

Syllabus topic II.2 – “Kant’s duty‑based ethics, Mill’s utilitarianism, Locke’s rights‑based ethics, and Aristotle’s virtue‑based ethics” is the correct answer. All four ethical theories support acting fairly and respecting human life, though for different reasons: duty (Kant), maximizing overall good (Mill), respecting others’ rights (Locke), and promoting virtue (Aristotle). Ethics 5th or 6th ed. pp. 210–211 (section 9.3) and Utilitarianism, Kant’s Moral Philosophy, Locke’s Political Philosophy, and Aristotle’s Ethics.

How to use these NPPE practice questions

Here is a simple way to use this free NPPE practice exam:

1. Answer all 10 questions under exam‑like conditions (no notes, set a timer for 15–20 minutes).
2. Mark your answers and read each explanation carefully, especially for questions you missed.
3. Note which topics caused trouble (e.g., professionalism, conflicts of interest, sealing work).
4. Review those topics using your course, textbooks, or our free NPPE mini‑course.
5. Repeat later with a larger question set (for example, the 125 Topic I questions in the mini‑course).

For exam‑day logistics (Meazure setup, second camera, allowed items, and timing), see our checklist: NPPE Exam Day Tips.

NPPE “free practice” FAQ

Is this the official NPPE practice exam?

No. These are original questions created by our team to help you practice NPPE‑style scenarios. They are not official or retired questions from any association.

How many free NPPE questions do I really need?

A small free set (like the 10 questions on this page) is useful to test your starting point. For serious preparation, most candidates need hundreds of questions that cover all syllabus topics and difficulty levels.

Can I rely only on free NPPE study material?

Some people pass using only free material, but many end up re‑writing the exam, which costs extra time and exam fees. Structured NPPE prep with a clear plan and comprehensive question bank usually reduces that risk.

Next steps: full NPPE prep and 500‑question practice exam

These free NPPE exam questions are only a small sample. Most engineers need a structured plan and a larger, well‑designed question bank to feel confident before writing.

• Use a complete NPPE prep course: all lessons, 500 practice questions with explanations, and a written pass‑related policy.
  See NPPE prep course options
• Understand your result after you write: if you already have your topic percentages, use our NPPE exam results calculator to estimate your weighted overall score.
• Start our free NPPE mini‑course: get 11 lessons and 125 practice questions that cover Topic I – Professionalism and Topic II – Ethics.
  Start the free NPPE mini‑course.