Rank the following actions by the Commission in order of severity.

• A. Removal-Censure, Public Reprimand, Public Admonition, Private Admonition
• B. Private Admonition, Public Admonition, Public Reprimand, Removal-Censure
• C. Public Admonition, Private Admonition, Removal-Censure, Public Reprimand
• D. Public Reprimand, Removal-Censure, Private Admonition, Public Admonition

Answer: (B)

Understanding how disciplinary actions escalate helps you see why this order makes sense. A private admonition is the least severe because it’s a confidential warning to the member. A public admonition steps up in seriousness since the warning is published and brings reputational impact. A public reprimand is more formal and publicly documented as a rebuke, signaling a higher level of concern. Removal-censure is the most severe, involving removal from duties and a formal censure.

So, the sequence from least to most severe is: Private Admonition, Public Admonition, Public Reprimand, Removal-Censure. The other options mix these steps in ways that don’t reflect this increasing level of sanction and visibility.