Professional Ethics & Compliance Flashcards
7 cards from real CCM practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Professional Ethics & Compliance flashcards as text
A CCM is hired by a municipality for stormwater planning but also consults for a private developer seeking to build in the same watershed. This situation most likely creates a:
Answer: Conflict of interest requiring disclosure to both clients
Simultaneous representation of parties with potentially opposing interests in the same matter creates a conflict of interest that must be disclosed.
Which of the following best describes the CCM's obligation regarding competence in a new specialty area such as air quality meteorology?
Answer: Only accept work within demonstrated competence or with appropriate supervision and disclosure
Professional ethics require CCMs to work within their competence or, when extending into new areas, to secure appropriate guidance and disclose limitations.
A CCM's contract includes a non-disclosure clause. A government regulator later subpoenas the meteorological data covered by the NDA. The CCM should:
Answer: Comply with the legal subpoena, notifying the client as permitted by law
Legal process overrides contractual confidentiality obligations; the CCM must comply with the subpoena while notifying the client when legally permissible.
When advertising consulting meteorology services, the AMS Code of Professional Ethics prohibits:
Answer: Making false or misleading claims about qualifications or past work
The AMS Code specifically prohibits false, deceptive, or misleading statements in any professional advertisement or promotion.
A CCM who authored a peer-reviewed study is later retained by a client whose position contradicts the study's findings. Ethically, the CCM should:
Answer: Disclose the prior publication to the client and provide an objective assessment
Prior published positions that may conflict with a client's needs must be disclosed, and the CCM must remain objective rather than advocate against their own scientific conclusions.
Maintaining CCM certification requires compliance with the AMS continuing education requirements primarily because:
Answer: Meteorological science evolves and practitioners must stay current to serve clients competently
Continuing education ensures that CCMs remain competent as the science, tools, and regulatory environment of meteorology evolve.
A CCM is asked to sign a client contract that includes an indemnification clause holding the CCM harmless from all liability. The CCM should:
Answer: Review the clause carefully with legal counsel before signing, as such terms affect professional liability
Indemnification clauses can significantly affect a CCM's legal exposure and should be reviewed by legal counsel before execution.