National Professional Practice Exam (NPPE) Syllabus
This document provides additional descriptions of the information required of candidates
to learn in preparation for taking the NPPE. The descriptions of each syllabus area are
not meant to be exhaustive of the information that a candidate should learn about each
syllabus area, however the descriptions should provide some assistance in focusing the
study of candidates preparing for the NPPE. Candidates are expected to know all the
material covered in the study material for each syllabus subject area and demonstrate
this knowledge sufficiently on the NPP Examination.
I Professionalism
I.1 Definition and Interpretation of Professionalism and Professional Status
The defining elements of a professional (the context is that of the selfregulating professions: engineers, geoscientists, doctors, lawyers, and such
versus other occupations):
- Have advanced technical knowledge and skills that the public takes on
trust - Give service to the public and in the public interest
- Are bound by a distinct ethical code
- Belong to self-governing organizations that regulate the profession to
maintain standards
§ Right to self-regulate is earned
§ Requires participation of members to fulfill self-regulating function - Undergo long and intensive preparation
- Require continued study and development
I.2 The Role and Responsibilities of Professionals in Society
- Skilled and regulated practice
- Personal accountability and responsibility for own professional practice
- Accountable for the professional practice of those under their supervision
- Dependence on the confidence of stakeholders: employers, clients,
authorities, public - Justify and uphold trust from the stakeholders
- Protection of the public
I.3 Engineering and Geoscience Professions in Canada; Definitions and Scopes of Practice
This topic is considered at a high level. What is considered is: who, what, when,
source of authority, reason for, etc. Detailed processes and requirements are
considered in other syllabus sections.
- Provincial and territorial associations
- Right to title and exclusive scope of practice
- Definition of engineering – “advising, evaluating, designing ….. matter,
materials, ….math, chemistry, physics …” - Definition of geosciences – “advising, evaluating, interpreting ….. earth
sciences …. discovery development ….math, chemistry, physics …” - Professional seals
- Engineers Canada and Geoscientists Canada – association of associations –
non-regulatory – create standards and guidelines – accreditation roles - Brief histories
- The iron and earth rings
I.4 The Value of Engineering and Geoscience Professions to Society
- Economic benefits of work and projects
- Technology application
- Technology research and development
- Infrastructure development
- Energy research, development, production and generation
- Products research and development
- Manufacturing and processing
- Resource research and development
- Limits and sustainability
II Ethics
II.1 The Role of Ethics in Society; Cultures and Customs
- Ethics – the study of right and wrong (morality)
- Moral principles are developed by societies and groups
- Laws of a society flow from its moral principles
II.2 Ethical Theories and Principles
- Recognition that there are different and contrasting ethical
theories/perspectives that can result in different outcomes each considered
correct within the given theory. - Ethics applied to professional issues from the perspectives of the classical
and modern theories. - The ethical perspectives/theories that form the basis in establishing the Code
of Ethics for the professions and that guide disciplinary actions. - Ethical Perspectives/Theories – Classical
(Exam candidates are not required to know these theories by rote but rather
should recognize the principles of the different theories in application.)
NPPE 2017 Syllabus additional descriptions Pg.4 - Greater good/maximum benefit – utilitarianism
- Duty
- Human rights
- Virtue
II.3 Codes of Ethics of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists in Canada
- Source and legal authority of the codes of ethics
- derived from the acts
- status
- Understanding of the core tenets:
- Use of the codes of ethics in regulating the professions
- Recognition that minor differences exist between associations
II.4 Common Ethical Issues and Dilemmas; Making Ethical Decisions
Issues and cases concerning ethical dilemmas looked at through the lens of the
code of ethics and other approaches to seek solutions
- Conflict of interest from the perspective of ethical dilemmas, solutions, and
decisions - Conflicts between technical authority and management authority
- Duty to report / whistle blowing as an ethical dilemma
- Loyalty to the employer
- Limiting practice to areas of competence
- Plagiarism and copyright infringement
- Professional responsibility vs employment issues
- Professional competence
- Reviewing work of others
- Confidentiality