​NPPE Cheat Sheet

Exam - Syllabus & Scope

I. Professionalism (~9%) Ethics* sections to read Law** sections

Terms, concepts or cases to know to read

Engineering, geoscience, iron vs. earth ring, Engineers Canada & Chapter 1 intro, 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.1-2.6, 5.3
Geoscientists Canada, seal/stamp, right to title, self-regulate, 2.2-2.5, 2.7-2.10, 2.11,
Canadian engineering achievements, public, code of ethics, 2.14-2.18, 3.1-3.6, 4.6, 4.8, 5.1,
continued professional development, evolution of licensing, provincial 6.9-6.11, 9.7, 10.6, 13.1, 15.7,
17.1-17.6, 18.6
jurisdiction, duty to different stakeholders.

II. Ethics (~19%) Ethics* sections to read Law** sections

Terms, concepts or cases to know to read

Ethics, principles of justice, 4 key ethical theories, code of ethics - core tenets 3.3, 7.7, 9.1-9.5, 9.7, 3.1-3.8, 27.3
(duty to: society, employers, clients, colleagues, employees, profession, oneself) 9.8, 10.1-10.2,
& regulating professional conduct (which province discipline for breach), whistle 10.5-10.6, 11.3-11.4,
blowing, common ethical issues (e.g. overruling technical decisions, duty to 12.4-12.5, 12.7-12.8,
12.11
report, conflict of interest, incompetence, negligence, plagiarism, discrimination).

III. Professional Practice (~30%) Ethics* sections to read Law** sections

Terms, concepts or cases to know to read

Basic duties (e.g. protect public, follow codes & standards, duty to inform, 1.3, 2.6, 2.18 , 4.1, 4.3 , 4.4, 2.2, 2.6, 3.2,
due diligence, obey law, respect other professionals, sustainability, 4.6, 4.8 , 5.3, 5.4, 6.3-6.10, 3.4-3.6, 5.3,
quality, document authentication & control, carry insurance (general vs. 7.1, 7.3-7.5, 7.7, 9.7, 10.1, 15.1-15.3,
errors & omissions)), software (development, use & liability), responsibility 10.3, 10.6, 11.1, 11.3, 12.1, Chapter 16
12.4-12.8, 12.11, 13.1, 13.2, introduction,
for own work & reviewing work of others, confidentiality, statutory vs.
13.4-13.7, 14.2-14.9, 21.1, 23.3.c,
non-statutory codes & practices, communication - deciding what needs to 15.2-15.7, 18.3, Case 27.3, 27.9
be in writing, sustainability, climate change implications, Paris Agreement. History: 13.1, 14.1-14.3

IV. Law for Professional Practice (~25%) Ethics* Law** sections to read
Terms, concepts or cases to know sections to
read

Canadian legal system (e.g. constitutional framework, common law vs 2.11, 3.4, 1.1-1.7, 3.6, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3(a,b,c),
civil code; types of law: private vs public, criminal law, civil law, 3.5, 5.2, 5.1-5.4, Chapter 6 overview,
administrative law; Charter of Rights and Freedoms, precedent, case 5.4, 5.5, 6.1-6.3, 6.4(a,b), 6.5-6.7, 7.1-7.3,
law), tort law criteria & types, essential elements of contracts, 6.1-6.3, 8.1, 9.1, 10.4(d), 11.1-11.4, 11.6,
6.10, 7.6, Chapter 12 overview, 12.1, 12.2,
amendment of contracts, waiver and estoppel, quantum meruit, contract
7.7 , 8.2, 12.5, 12.6, 12.8-12.10, 13.1-13.5,
(breach, remedies, termination), duty to warn (of impending danger), 9.2, 10.4, 14.1-14.4, 14.6, 15.1-15.3,
products liability, concurrent liability in contract and tort, dispute 12.11, 13.3, 17.1-17.6, 18.1, 18.2, 18.5,
resolution methods, other areas of law, expert witness, international 13.5, 15.2 19.1-19.7, 20.2, 20.7-20.8,
working considerations, restrictive covenants, business organization 21.1-21.6, 22.1, 22.3, 23.1,
forms, bidding & tendering process, holdback project delivery methods, 23.2(b), 23.3(a,c), 23.4, 24.1-24.4,
bonds & construction liens, 6 types of intellectual property. Chapter 25, Chapter 26, 27.2
 NPPE Cheat Sheet - pg. 2 
V. Professional Law (~8%) Ethics* sections to Law** sections
Terms, concepts or cases to know read to read

Act vs. Regulation vs. Bylaws (and how each is created, modified, approved), Chapter 2 Chapter 2
basic licensing criteria, mobility agreements (in Canada & international), introduction, overview,
enforcement (and 2 reasons for it), professional titles, technical societies (role, 2.1-2.13, 2.15-2.18, 2.1-2.3, 5.3
benefit & difference from regulatory agency), Permit to Practice (or Certification of 3.3, 11.1 , 18.1-18.3
Authorization).

VI. Regulation of Members & Discipline Processes (~9%) Ethics* sections Law** sections
Terms, concepts or cases to know to read to read

Discipline (complaints process; penalties; 6 causes - professional misconduct, 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 2.4, 2.5
incompetence, negligence, code of ethics breach, physical/mental incapacity, conviction 17.1-17.5
of a serious offence), practice review (reason for it & individual vs. firm review),
continuing professional development requirements (# of hours, 6 activities - professional
practice, formal activity, informal or self-directed, participation, presentations,
contributions to knowledge).

* ​5th edition Ethics​ or ​6th edition Ethics​ textbook​** 2​ nd edition Law​ or ​3rd Edition Law​ textbook
Note:​ by using the index, glossary and reading sections listed, you should be able to find terms,
concepts and cases. Also read your the free supplemental resources provided by your Association.

Exam - Specifics

Exam Writing & Passing What to Bring

● 40 topics on 6 categories that cover Law, Ethics
and Professional Practice.
● 65/100 is passing mark
● 110 multiple choice questions (10 random
questions are not counted)
● 2.5 hour exam = 1.4 minutes per question
● computer based exam
Multiple Choice Strategy
● Mark questions that you’re not sure about and
come back later
● Practice pacing yourself with sample exams
● Think of the answer before you look at the 4
options
● Can’t decide between two options? Try vividly
imagining both and select the one that feels
most correct/appropriate.
● 1 piece of photo ID
● Member # or admission ticket
Preparation
1. Purchase current ​law​ & ​ethics​ textbooks and print off all
other syllabus materials.
2. Start the ​NPPE Total Prep Online Course​ to:
a. Download study checklist & syllabus reading sections
b. Build your knowledge with our flashcards
c. Get educated - watch 6 presentations on all 40
syllabus topics
d. Exam Simulation - practice hundreds of sample
questions
e. Repeat b-d until your exam.
f. Write your exam.
g. Wait 3-4 weeks for your results.

For the most ​comprehensive NPPE study course ​that gives you:
sample exams (with full solutions); video lessons, flashcard access
and more, please visit ​www.practiceppeexams.ca/nppe