DBIA Code of Professional Conduct 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the DBIA Code of Professional Conduct, when a design-builder identifies a conflict of interest mid-project, what is the required first action?
- Immediately withdraw from the project
- Disclose the conflict to all affected parties (Correct answer)
- Consult legal counsel before taking any action
- Continue the project and document the conflict in final records
Correct answer: Disclose the conflict to all affected parties
The DBIA Code requires prompt disclosure of conflicts of interest to all affected parties so informed decisions can be made.
Question 2: A DBIA member is asked by a client to sign off on work that the member knows does not meet applicable building codes. Under the Code of Professional Conduct, the member should:
- Sign off if the client accepts full liability
- Refuse to certify non-compliant work regardless of client pressure (Correct answer)
- Escalate the decision to the project owner only
- Defer to the contractor's professional judgment
Correct answer: Refuse to certify non-compliant work regardless of client pressure
DBIA's Code prohibits certifying or approving work that does not meet applicable laws, codes, or standards.
Question 3: Which of the following best describes the DBIA Code's stance on confidential project information?
- It may be shared freely among design-build team members
- It must be protected and not disclosed without client authorization (Correct answer)
- It can be used for marketing purposes after project completion
- It applies only to financial data, not technical specifications
Correct answer: It must be protected and not disclosed without client authorization
DBIA members are obligated to protect confidential client information and not disclose it without proper authorization.
Question 4: How does the DBIA Code of Professional Conduct treat solicitation of work from clients currently under contract with another DBIA member?
- It is allowed if the competing member offers a lower price
- It is prohibited as it constitutes unfair competition (Correct answer)
- It is allowed with written notice to the other member
- It has no specific restriction under the Code
Correct answer: It is prohibited as it constitutes unfair competition
The DBIA Code prohibits improper solicitation of clients actively under contract with another DBIA member.
Question 5: A DBIA-certified professional discovers that a subcontractor has engaged in fraudulent billing. Under the Code of Professional Conduct, the professional's obligation is to:
- Quietly correct the billing without alerting the owner
- Report the fraud to the owner and take appropriate corrective action (Correct answer)
- Allow the subcontractor to self-correct before reporting
- Ignore it if the amounts are below a material threshold
Correct answer: Report the fraud to the owner and take appropriate corrective action
DBIA members must report fraud and take corrective action to uphold honesty and protect the client's interests.
Question 6: Under the DBIA Code, when may a design-builder publicly criticize a competitor's project or methods?
- Anytime, as long as the criticism is factually accurate
- When asked to provide an expert opinion in a legal proceeding (Correct answer)
- Never — the Code prohibits all public criticism of competitors
- Only in formal DBIA dispute resolution proceedings
Correct answer: When asked to provide an expert opinion in a legal proceeding
Public expert testimony in legal or regulatory proceedings is a recognized exception where factual professional opinions may be shared.
Question 7: The DBIA Code of Professional Conduct requires members to maintain competence in their area of practice primarily to:
- Earn higher fees on future projects
- Protect public health, safety, and welfare (Correct answer)
- Satisfy continuing education requirements for insurance purposes
- Maintain membership status in the DBIA
Correct answer: Protect public health, safety, and welfare
Competence requirements in the DBIA Code are rooted in the duty to protect public health, safety, and welfare.
