Section 5--Social Workers' Ethical Responsibilities to the Social Work Profession--turns our focus outward, toward the profession iteslf. It reminds social workers that ethics aren’t just about client interactions; they’re also about how we represent, protect, and advance social work as a whole.
Here’s the full standard for the first entry in the section:
5.01 Integrity of the Profession
(a) Social workers should work toward the maintenance and promotion of high standards of practice.(b) Social workers should uphold and advance the values, ethics, knowledge, and mission of the profession. Social workers should protect, enhance, and improve the integrity of the profession through appropriate study and research, active discussion, and responsible criticism of the profession.
(c) Social workers should contribute time and professional expertise to activities that promote respect for the value, integrity, and competence of the social work profession. These activities may include teaching, research, consultation, service, legislative testimony, presentations in the community, and participation in their professional organizations.
(d) Social workers should contribute to the knowledge base of social work and share with colleagues their knowledge related to practice, research, and ethics. Social workers should seek to contribute to the profession’s literature and to share their knowledge at professional meetings and conferences.
(e) Social workers should act to prevent the unauthorized and unqualified practice of social work.
What It Means in Practice
This section is a reminder: being part of a profession comes with responsibilities. That includes upholding standards, participating in professional life, and protecting the field from harm—whether that’s through misinformation, poor practice, or unqualified work.
It’s not just about doing your job well—it’s about helping the whole profession thrive.
Keep in Mind
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Professional advocacy matters
Expect questions about participating in community education, professional organizations, or sharing knowledge with colleagues. These activities are ethically encouraged. -
Contributing to the field is ethical practice
If a question involves publishing research, teaching, or testifying before lawmakers, look for answers that frame this as advancing the profession. -
Protecting boundaries is part of the job
An exam item may include someone calling themselves a "social worker" without credentials. The best response may involve addressing or reporting this to protect the integrity of the profession. -
Criticism can be ethical
Social workers can—and should—raise concerns about the field when done responsibly. Look for language around constructive critique and active improvement.
Practice Question
How this material might look on the licensing exam:
A licensed clinical social worker learns that an unlicensed life coach is advertising trauma therapy services and referring to themselves as a “clinical social worker” on social media. According to the NASW Code of Ethics, what is the social worker’s most ethical course of action?
A. Ignore the issue, since the life coach is not part of the social worker’s agency.
B. Contact the life coach privately to offer guidance about the difference in credentials.
C. Post a comment publicly correcting the life coach and warning potential clients.
D. Report the misuse of the title to the appropriate licensing board or regulatory authority.
Breaking it down: A dismisses the social worker’s ethical responsibility to protect the profession; B might be well-intentioned, but it doesn’t prevent potential ongoing harm; C could escalate conflict and lacks the professionalism emphasized in the Code. That leaves D — correct, because it aligns with 5.01(e): social workers should act to prevent unauthorized and unqualified practice.
How'd you do?