Topic outline

  • Engineering Ethics - NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers

    Credits : 1 PDH

    PDH Course Description:

    Engineers practicing their profession encounter not only technical issues but also ethical issues. Sometimes the latter issues are easy to resolve: applying everyday, common-sense notions of honesty, openness, responsibility, and lawfulness is sufficient to guide the engineer to the appropriate decision. At other times, however, matters are more complicated.

    In particular, knowing what to do when two or more duties or obligations conflict can be difficult. For example, an engineer's duty to his client or employer may conflict with the engineer's duty to the general public. Codes of ethics have been formulated to help engineers address these conflicts. The present course introduces engineers to the National Society of Professional Engineers Code of Ethics.

    The Code provides ethical guidance to engineers in their various and often simultaneously held roles as:
    1) guardians of public health, safety, and welfare
    2) employees,
    3) employers, and
    4) providers of technical service to clients.

    Topics:

    This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills:
    • The six Fundamental Canons of the Code
    • The five Rules of Practice
    • The nine Professional Obligations
    • Definition of "Sustainable Development"
    • The scope of the Supreme Court decision regarding NSPE, competitive bidding, and antitrust law

    To take this course:

    1.) Enroll in Course: Click below to enroll:
    (must be logged into your user account)


    2.) Study: Once enrolled, click below to begin the course:
    Study Guide: The course materials are based on the NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers, which may be downloaded from or viewed at:
    http://www.nspe.org/Ethics/CodeofEthics/index.html
    (Reprinted by Permission of the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) www.nspe.org.)

    3.) Test: Once you've thoroughly read the course materials, please click below to take the final examination.

    Take the final exam

    4.) Certificate: A passing grade of 70% or higher on the exam, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.
         NOTE: After the exam is completed, you will need to return to this page, in order to print (download) the certificate of completion.

    Print the Certificate of Completion

    Intended Audience: This course is intended for all disciplines of engineers.
    Publication Source: National Society of Professional Engineers

    Mark Rossow PhD, PE (retired)

    • Topic 1