As you prepare for the ASWB exam, expect questions that test how well you understand professional boundaries with colleagues, especially when power dynamics are involved. Section 2.06 of the NASW Code of Ethics addresses when sexual or romantic relationships between social workers and colleagues are always unethical and when they must be carefully navigated to avoid conflicts of interest.

Here’s the full standard:

2.06 Sexual Relationships
(a) Social workers who function as supervisors or educators should not engage in sexual activities or contact (including verbal, written, electronic, or physical contact) with supervisees, students, trainees, or other colleagues over whom they exercise professional authority.

(b) Social workers should avoid engaging in sexual relationships with colleagues when there is potential for a conflict of interest. Social workers who become involved in, or anticipate becoming involved in, a sexual relationship with a colleague have a duty to transfer professional responsibilities, when necessary, to avoid a conflict of interest.

What It Means in Practice

This section is about protecting professional integrity and power neutrality. Relationships involving supervision or decision-making authority are always unethical. Even between peers, relationships can be problematic if they affect objectivity, evaluations, promotions, or other work dynamics.

Key Guidelines

(a) No sexual or romantic contact with supervisees or students—ever

  • This includes people you directly supervise or instruct

  • It applies across all communication types: in-person, text, DMs, etc.

(b) Avoid conflicts of interest with colleagues

  • If a romantic relationship exists or may develop between peers, make sure no one is in a position to evaluate or influence the other

  • If a conflict does exist, reassign roles or responsibilities to maintain ethical boundaries

Practice Question

This ethical standard could be tested on the exam in a scenario like this:

A social worker is supervising a graduate student intern and begins exchanging flirtatious messages with them outside of work. The social worker believes there is mutual interest and no harm has occurred. What is the most ethical course of action?

A. Avoid discussing anything work-related in outside-of-work exchanges

B. Ascertain the intern's level of comfort with the exchange

C. Explore a relationship only after the internship is completed

D. Discontinue the messages and refrain from initiating any romantic contact

Sexual or romantic behavior with someone under your professional authority is never ethical, even if it seems mutual or harmless. How to narrow it down: A fails to recognize the power dynamic; B shifts ethical responsibility onto the intern; C postpones but doesn’t address the underlying boundary violation. The correct answer here is D.

Ready to keep practicing questions like this? SWTP’s full-length licensing exams are designed to challenge your thinking—and get you ready for test day.

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June 13, 2025
Categories :
  ethics  
  practice  
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