What should a written service agreement include?

• A. Nature and scope of services, fee schedule, terms, projected length of the relationship, and the criteria for termination
• B. The service agreement should be kept private and not shared
• C. Only the fee schedule
• D. The client's medical history

Answer: (B)

A written service agreement works best when it clearly defines what will be done, how much it will cost, and how the engagement will operate over time. This helps both sides have a shared understanding and a concrete way to handle changes or disputes.

The strongest answer includes the essential elements: the nature and scope of services so both parties know exactly what is being provided, a fee schedule so costs are transparent, terms and conditions that cover rights and obligations, the projected length of the relationship to plan resources, and the criteria for termination so either party can end the engagement under agreed conditions. Together, these parts establish clear expectations, protect both parties, and provide a framework for accountability.

Other options miss important pieces or bring in irrelevant information. Keeping the agreement private and not shared isn’t about what the agreement should include and would undermine transparency and informed consent. Focusing only on the fee schedule leaves out scope, terms, duration, and termination. Including the client’s medical history is not appropriate for defining a service agreement’s rights and duties.