Final answer:
The statement is false; the computer professional exemption applies to various skilled workers in computer-related fields whose primary duties involve a high level of expertise in computer systems and software, not exclusively those in software development.
Step-by-step explanation:
To address the student’s question directly, the statement that an employee must have their job function limited to software to fall under the computer professional exemption is false. The computer professional exemption is not limited solely to those with job functions in software development or engineering. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the exemption may apply to employees in various computer-related occupations, such as systems analysts, computer programmers, software engineers, and other similarly skilled workers in the computer field, as long as their duties satisfy certain criteria.
These duties typically include the application of systems analysis techniques and procedures, including consulting with users to determine hardware, software, or system functional specifications, the design, development, documentation, analysis, creation, testing, or modification of computer systems or programs based on and related to user or system design specifications, and more.
Essentially, the exemption applies to employees whose primary duties require a high level of expertise in computer systems and software, not just to those who work exclusively on software development.