Blog | SWTP

Nov

18

Legal and/or ethical issues related to the practice of social work

November 18, 2024 | ethics | knowledge | practice

This ASWB exam content outline item is a lot: Legal and/or ethical issues related to the practice of social work, including responsibility to clients/client systems, colleagues, the profession, and society. All those words, and so unspecific.

ethics | knowledge | practice

Sep

18

The dynamics of power and transparency in social work

September 18, 2024 | knowledge | ethics

Here's some ASWB exam content material that's good to think upon whether or not you're preparing for the social work licensing exam: The dynamics of power and transparency in the social worker-client/client system relationship.

knowledge | ethics

Jul

15

The client's/client system's right to refuse services

July 15, 2024 | knowledge | ethics

Next up on our ASWB exam journey: The client's/client system's right to refuse services (e.g., medication, medical treatment, counseling, placement, etc.).

knowledge | ethics

Jun

05

Ethical issues in supervision and management

June 5, 2024 | knowledge | ethics

Let's look at another ethics item from the ASWB exam content outline: Ethical issues in supervision and management.

knowledge | ethics

Jun

03

Legal and/or ethical issues related to death and dying

June 3, 2024 | knowledge | ethics

Continuing in the ethics section of the ASWB exam outline, we come to this: Legal and/or ethical issues related to death and dying. Dealing with death and dying is one of the more challenging aspects of social work.

knowledge | ethics

Jun

03

The influence of the social worker's own values and beliefs

June 3, 2024 | knowledge | ethics

This next item from the ASWB content outline is a long one: The influence of the social worker's own values and beliefs on the social workerclient/client system relationship. This is a crucial topic for the exam.

knowledge | ethics

Jun

01

Research ethics

June 1, 2024 | knowledge | ethics

Our several-post-long ethics run likely ends--at least for the time being--with this ASWB content outline topic: Research ethics (e.g., institutional review boards, use of human subjects, informed consent).

knowledge | ethics

May

30

Self-disclosure principles and applications

May 30, 2024 | knowledge | ethics

Self-disclosure principles and applications is next up on our tour of the ASWB exam content outline. These ethics questions are some of the easiest to prepare for and most likely to appear on the exam. Let's take a look. Principles of Self-

knowledge | ethics

May

28

Ethical issues related to dual relationships

May 28, 2024 | knowledge | ethics

Next up, another from the ethics section of the ASWB exam content outline: Ethical issues related to dual relationships. Exam writers love these vignette-friendly ethics topics. Don't be surprised if you see this topic on the test.

knowledge | ethics

May

26

Legal and/or ethical issues regarding termination

May 26, 2024 | knowledge | ethics | practice

Next stop on our ASWB exam content outline tour: Legal and/or ethical issues regarding termination. Let's look at the topic and try out a practice question afterwards.

knowledge | ethics | practice

May

24

Legal and/or ethical issues regarding documentation

May 24, 2024 | knowledge | ethics

Here's a topic from the ASWB exam content outline that is very likely to make an appearance on the exam: Legal and/or ethical issues regarding documentation. Let's dig in and then look at how social work exam questions about this topic may look.

knowledge | ethics

Feb

29

Techniques to identify and resolve ethical dilemmas

February 29, 2024 | knowledge | ethics

Continuing through the ASWB exam content outline, we come to: Techniques to identify and resolve ethical dilemmas. This is good, essential social work and good essential exam prep. Let's dive in to get you ready to pass the ASWB exam!

knowledge | ethics

Jan

29

The principles and processes of obtaining informed consent

January 29, 2024 | knowledge | ethics

Back for more ASWB exam outline exploration. Next up: The principles and processes of obtaining informed consent. Let's dive in.

knowledge | ethics

Sep

06

Confidentiality and the Social Work Exam

September 6, 2023 | ethics | practice

A client struggling with substance abuse issues has shared sensitive information during a counseling session including illegal activities related to their substance use.

ethics | practice

Jun

05

Learning the NASW Code of Ethics

June 5, 2023 | ethics

There's no other single source that's as crucial to your licensing exam prep as the NASW Code of Ethics.

ethics

Apr

10

Social Work Ethics and the Licensing Exam

April 10, 2023 | practice | ethics

If you were to (for some strange reason) study only one topic to prepare for the ASWB exams, it would have to be social work ethics. Understanding the NASW Code of Ethics is essential to passing the exam. Every exam will include ethics questions.

practice | ethics

Jan

17

MLK & the Code of Ethics

January 17, 2022 | ethics

MLK Day invites a wave of well-meaning social media posts about fighting the good fight, the arc of justice, having a dream… For social workers, all of those are meant to be an everyday part of the role.

ethics

Nov

01

Social Work Exam Practice and the Updated NASW Code of Ethics

November 1, 2021 | ethics | practice

Were you paying attention a couple of posts ago about recent changes made to the NASW Code of Ethics? Let's find out. here's a quick quiz-

ethics | practice

Oct

25

New NASW Code of Ethics Updates

October 25, 2021 | ethics | knowledge

The NASW has updated the Code of Ethics, its essential guide to social work practice and a hefty part of the social work licensing exam. Changes for 2020 and 2021 are highlighted here.

ethics | knowledge

May

30

2021 Code of Ethics Update

May 30, 2021 | ethics

They're changing it again. The NASW Code of Ethics gets (or got, depending upon when you're reading this) an upgrade on June 1st, 2021. The Code will now include greater detail about self-care and cultural humility.

ethics

Mar

19

Social Work Exam Content: Self-Determination

March 19, 2021 | ethics | practice

Self-determination shows up multiple times in ASWB exam content outlines. Here's how self-determination appears in the clinical outline's Professional Values and Ethics section: Techniques for protecting and enhancing client/client system self-

ethics | practice

Mar

10

Ethics and the ASWB Exam

March 10, 2021 | ethics

Regardless of which ASWB exam you're taking-Bachelors, Masters, Advanced Generalist, or Clinical-questions about ethics are going to take up a big chunk of the test (between 19-25%).

ethics

Feb

27

Free Social Work Practice Question: Vaccine Line-Skipping for Sale

February 27, 2021 | practice | ethics

Here's a free social work exam practice question ripped from recent headlines. Most of the ASWB exam will be involve more timeless social work topics. But exam writers are people too.

practice | ethics

Jul

20

Ethical Online Social Work

July 20, 2020 | ethics

Among the giant changes the pandemic has wrought, for many social workers, following CDC guidelines means no longer working face to face with clients. Along with all that's lost when not seeing someone in person, the non-

ethics

Jun

26

ASWB Exam Practice: Client with COVID

June 26, 2020 | ethics | practice

Here's a timely practice question. A clinic social worker is seeing a client remotely who has recently tested positive for COVID-19 after experiencing respiratory symptoms, which are ongoing.

ethics | practice

Jun

01

Social Work/Social Justice

June 1, 2020 | ethics

"Social workers should promote the general welfare of society, from local to global levels, and the development of people, their communities, and their environments.

ethics

Apr

07

NASW Ethics 8

April 7, 2020 | ethics | knowledge

Here's a series of articles via the NASW, each tackling another ethics issue (in eight bullet points): Ethics 8. Read through and imagine that you're an exam question writer on the hunt for a new question subject.

ethics | knowledge

Apr

06

Aimee Passed the NY Clinical Exam

April 6, 2020 | ethics | success stories | passed the ASWB exam | LCSW

"Thank you for providing valuable study materials that helped me pass my clinical exam the first time around! What a true relief. Congratulations, Aimee! You're next. Why do SWTP practice tests help so many people pass the ASWB exam?

ethics | success stories | passed the ASWB exam | LCSW

Apr

01

Census Day & Social Work Ethics

April 1, 2020 | ethics

Hey, it's Census Day! Consider making part of your macro social work practice, helping empower yourself and your clients, by all filling it out. It goes really fast.

ethics

Nov

11

Social Work Exam Election-Action Savings—Fifty Percent!

November 11, 2019 | ethics

The giant, once-in-a-lifetime November 2020 election is less than a year away. And there are special elections peppered around the country throughout 2020. Seems like a good time to review this call to action from the NASW Code of Ethics: 6.

ethics

May

06

ASWB Exam Practice - Respect Toward Colleagues

May 6, 2019 | ethics | video | practice

A client at an inpatient facility asks to be transferred from a young social worker to a veteran social worker. What should the veteran social worker do? What does the NASW Code of Ethics say? Walk-

ethics | video | practice

Apr

22

ASWB Practice Question Walk-Through: Dating Colleages

April 22, 2019 | practice | video | ethics

Here's a question buried in the SWTP blog that we've revived for this video walk-through (a growing series). Working together at a residential facility, a therapist and case manager develop a strong attraction to each other.

practice | video | ethics

Mar

26

ASWB Exam Prep Video: Client Records and Confidentiality

March 26, 2019 | video | practice | ethics

Is it okay to talk to a client's previous therapist? What if the client doesn't want you to? Here's a walk-through of a question from the blog addressing that very scenario.

video | practice | ethics

Mar

25

ASWB Exam Question Walk-Through: Colleague Burnout

March 25, 2019 | video | practice | ethics

What to do when a colleague says she hates her clients? This practice question, pulled from an earlier post, gets you to the answer. (Spoiler: knowing the NASW Code of Ethics is a big help!) Here's the Facebook no-longer-live video.

video | practice | ethics

Jun

08

Free Practice: The Red Carpet and the Social Work Exam

June 8, 2018 | ethics | practice

Seems like a good day for a free practice question. Here's one based upon the updated NASW Code of Ethics. For lots more questions about social work ethics and most everything else you might encounter on the ASWB exam, sign up and choose full-

ethics | practice

Jan

25

NASW Code of Ethics Update: Technology and Informed Consent

January 25, 2018 | ethics

The NASW Code of Ethics got an updating this year. You know that. But do you know what's different? Let's take a look. Take Section 1.03, Informed Consent. It's pretty much the same for a stretch, then comes these paragraphs.

ethics

Jan

02

SWTP Practice Tests Updated for 2018!

January 2, 2018 | aswb | ethics

Happy New Year! It's 2018! It's the year you get licensed! With the new year comes the new NASW Code of Ethics and the new ASWB content blueprints. Both kicked in for social workers and exam preppers on 1/1/18. SWTP is ready for them both!

aswb | ethics

Oct

04

Coming Soon: NASW Code of Ethics Changes

October 4, 2017 | ethics

Changes are coming to the NASW Code of Ethics. This NASW blog post goes into some details. Essential dates: Nov 1, 2017, copies become available. Jan 1, 2018, the new edition of the code goes into effect.

ethics

Jul

05

Social and Political Action and the Social Work Exam

July 5, 2017 | ethics

It's easy to get distracted as a social worker preparing for the licensing exam by material that seems like it will definitely be on the exam. Privacy and confidentiality, suicide assessment, basic diagnoses--that sort of stuff.

ethics

May

26

Social Work Today: Eye on Electronically Stored Information

May 26, 2017 | ethics

Frederic Reamer's Eye on Ethics column is a great way to supplement your social work exam prep. Take a recent column about ethics and electronically stored information.

ethics

Feb

08

Code of Ethics Review: Dating Colleagues and the Social Work Exam

February 8, 2017 | practice | ethics

We're working our way through the second section of the NASW Code of Ethics, a question at a time. For complete, 170-question exams covering ethics and much, much more, go here and build the exam bundle that best suits your study plan.

practice | ethics

Jan

23

Ethics Review: Colleague Confidentiality vs. Impairment and the Social Work Exam

January 23, 2017 | ethics | practice

Confidentiality is likely to come up again and again as you prepare for the social work licensing exam. Most questions are likely to cover client confidentiality.

ethics | practice

Jan

13

Ethics Review: Respect Toward Colleagues and the Social Work Exam

January 13, 2017 | ethics | practice

Ethics are in the daily spotlight these days. They're never out of daily consideration for practicing social workers. And ethics are even more front-burner for social workers preparing to pass the social work licensing exam.

ethics | practice

Oct

06

Practice Question: Reporting

October 6, 2016 | practice | ethics

Let's return to the NASW Code of Ethics for some practice questions.

practice | ethics

Dec

15

Termination of Services and the Social Work Exam

December 15, 2015 | practice | ethics

Last stop in part one of the NASW Code of Ethics is Termination of Services. Its six parts go like this: Social workers... Should terminate when services no longer helpful.

practice | ethics

Dec

10

Privacy and Confidentiality and the Social Work Exam

December 10, 2015 | ethics | practice

Out of order, but welcome anywhere, 1.07, Privacy and Confidentiality. This is a huge part of the NASW Code of Ethics and a huge part of social work practice. Really, the section is gigantic, the biggest in the code (at least in part one).

ethics | practice

Dec

08

Interruption of Services and the Social Work Exam

December 8, 2015 | practice | ethics

Nearing the end of the first part of the NASW Code of Ethics, we get to 1.15, Interruption of Services.

practice | ethics

Dec

07

Clients Who Lack Decision-Making Capacity and the Social Work Exam

December 7, 2015 | ethics | practice

As we near the end of the first part of the NASW Code of Ethics, we arrive at 1.14, Clients Who Lack Decision-Making Capacity. It's a short, single-

ethics | practice

Dec

02

Payment for Services and the Social Work Exam

December 2, 2015 | practice | ethics

Next item in our question-a-section voyage through the NASW Code of Ethics: 1.13, Payment for Services. This is a three-

practice | ethics

Nov

30

Derogatory Language and the Social Work Exam

November 30, 2015 | ethics | practice

Here's what's next in our question-a-section expedition through the wilds of the NASW Code of Ethics: 1.12 Derogatory Language.

ethics | practice

Nov

23

Sexual Harassment and the Social Work Exam

November 23, 2015 | ethics | practice

Next up, a section of the NASW Code of Ethics that's just a concise two sentences, 1.11 Sexual Harassment. In order not make this trickier than if would be if you read the section first, here's a definition-

ethics | practice

Nov

19

Physical Contact and the Social Work Exam

November 19, 2015 | ethics | practice

As we continue working our way through the NASW Code of Ethics, we next come to 1.10 Physical Contact. This is a short one.

ethics | practice

Nov

16

Access to Records and the Social Work Exam

November 16, 2015 | ethics | practice

Next up is 1.08, Access to Records. This is a two-parter. Goes like this: a) Social workers should provide clients access to records unless there are exceptional circumstances where serious misunderstanding or harm to the client is anticipated.

ethics | practice

Nov

12

Conflicts of Interest and the Social Work Exam

November 12, 2015 | practice | ethics

Tiptoeing through the NASW Code of Ethics, we come to 1.06, Conflicts of Interest. This is a big one. It's hard to imagine 170 social work exam questions that don't touch on this section. A lot. The section is in four parts A-

practice | ethics

Nov

11

Cultural Competence, Social Diversity, and the Social Work Exam

November 11, 2015 | practice | ethics

You've caught on perhaps by now that we're working our way through the NASW Code of Ethics with a free question per section. We've made it up to section 1.05, Cultural Awareness and Social Diversity.

practice | ethics

Nov

06

Competence and the Social Work Exam

November 6, 2015 | practice | ethics

Next in our question-a-section journey through the NASW Code of Ethics, 1.04, Competence.

practice | ethics

Nov

05

Informed Consent and the Social Work Exam

November 5, 2015 | practice | ethics

Next in our romp through the NASW Code of Ethics is 1.03, Informed Consent. The section is a long one, a six-parter. It lends itself to questions about a variety of topics--

practice | ethics

Nov

04

Self-Determination and the Social Work Exam

November 4, 2015 | quiz | practice | ethics

Our question-a-section trek through the NASW Code of Ethics continues. All aboard! Next up, 1.02, Self-Determination. The section is quick: Social workers respect and promote the right of clients to self-

quiz | practice | ethics

Nov

02

Social Worker Commitment to Clients and the Social Work Exam

November 2, 2015 | quiz | ethics

Starting today, a new initiative: Let's start taking the NASW Code of Ethics section by section, sketching out how the ASWB exam use each a test question. Because you can be sure that's how a good chunk of the exam is being written.

quiz | ethics

Sep

19

Code of Ethics Practice Question: Solicitations

September 19, 2014 | ethics | practice

There's no section in the NASW Code of Ethics that you can just shrug off as you're practicing social work and/or preparing for the social work licensing exam. Everything's there for a reason.

ethics | practice

Sep

02

Social Work Research and the Social Work Exam

September 2, 2014 | ethics

Social work research tends to make up very little of the social work licensing exam, though that can change exam to exam. Within those questions, preppers can reasonable expect informed consent to be the major concept touched upon.

ethics

Aug

26

NASW Code of Ethics: Ethical Responsibilities to the Broader Society

August 26, 2014 | ethics

Last but not least in the NASW Code of Ethics is section number six, "Social Workers' Ethical Responsibilities to the Broader Society.

ethics

Mar

10

Code of Ethics Spotlight: Sexual Relationships

March 10, 2014 | ethics | practice

Here's a section of the NASW Code of Ethics that doesn't need a lot of rereading and figuring. Can ethical social workers have sexual relationships with clients or former clients? No. It takes the code a while to get this said, in Section 1.

ethics | practice

Feb

24

Code of Ethics Spotlight: Conflicts of Interest

February 24, 2014 | ethics

Next up on our Code of Ethics tour is a big one--lots of potential social work licensing exam questions lurk in this section. It's 1.06, Conflicts of Interest--follow the link for the text in its entirety.

ethics

Feb

01

Code of Ethics Spotlight: Cultural Competence and Social Diversity

February 1, 2014 | ethics

Returning to our ongoing tour of the NASW Code of Ethics, we arrive at section 1.05, Cultural Competence and Social Diversity.

ethics

Dec

04

Code of Ethics Spotlight: Reporting Unethical Conduct

December 4, 2013 | ethics

Here's a section of the NASW Code of Ethics that doesn't seem particularly complicated, but still may show up on the licensing exam. Maybe that's because of it's simplicity.

ethics

Nov

20

Code of Ethics Spotlight: Termination of Services

November 20, 2013 | ethics

Continuing through some of the hot spots in the NASW Code of Ethics, here's section 1.

ethics

Nov

15

Social Work Exam Resource: Ethics Corner

November 15, 2013 | ethics

From Ruth Lipschutz, LCSW and the folks at NASW Illinois, here's a long-running series of articles about ethics questions that may make for good exam prepping: Ethics Corner [LINK DEFUNCT].

ethics

Nov

12

Code of Ethics Spotlight: Physical Contact

November 12, 2013 | ethics

Here's a section of the code worth reviewing. It may seem simple at first, but can get complicated once you get into the details--section 1.

ethics

Nov

06

Ethical Dilemma of the Month

November 6, 2013 | ethics

From the NASW, a newish feature, Ethical Dilemma of the Month. Here's the latest trouble: A female client who is also a social worker has revealed that she has engaged in dual relationships with her own clients.

ethics

Nov

05

Code of Ethics Spotlight: Payment for Services

November 5, 2013 | ethics

Here's a quick bit of the NASW Code of Ethics that, short as it is, may show up on the exam--section 1.13, Payment for Services.

ethics

Nov

04

Code of Ethics Spotlight: Privacy and Confidentiality

November 4, 2013 | ethics

Here's a big one: section 1.07 of the NASW Code of Ethics, Privacy and Confidentiality. It begins like this: (a) Social workers should respect clients' right to privacy.

ethics

Nov

01

Code of Ethics Spotlight: Competence

November 1, 2013 | ethics

Next up on our selective tour of the NASW Code of Ethics, section 1.

ethics

Oct

28

Code of Ethics Spotlight: Commitment to Clients

October 28, 2013 | ethics

Here begins a (possible) series of posts highlighting sections of the NASW Code of Ethics as a way of helping deepen understanding and prepare for the social work licensing exam. First up, section 1.

ethics

Jul

02

Ethical Decision-Making in Social Work

July 2, 2013 | knowledge | ethics

Looking for more guidance about social work ethics? Here's a textbook, Ethical Decision-Making in Social Work, by Wade Robison and Linda Cherrey Reeser, posted in its entirety by the Rochester Institute of Technology. No charge.

knowledge | ethics

May

17

Media Appearances and Social Work Ethics

May 17, 2013 | Q&A | ethics

We couldn't find a good article online about the ethics of media appearances for social workers. What do you do when asked to comment about a client for newspaper, radio, or TV? For an answer, we turned to Dr.

Q&A | ethics

Apr

09

Social Work Ethics Scenarios

April 9, 2013 | practice | ethics

From Tamitha R. Price, Executive Director of the NASW Missouri chapter (2010), here's a 25-page slide show, Evolving Ethics for Social Work Practice. Check out the two case scenarios beginning on page 15--

practice | ethics

Oct

02

Social Work Exam Prep Quiz

October 2, 2009 | quiz | practice | ethics

Tinkering with ProProfs with a Hepworth, Rooney, and Larsen on my lap, came up with a few questions. May add more. UPDATE: More were added. Get complete social work exam practice tests here.

quiz | practice | ethics

Aug

11

Vignette Exam Practice: Kevin, Question Three

August 11, 2009 | practice | vignette | ethics

A law and ethics question. My answer and explanation are in comments. On the exam (or at least on practice questions I've seen), questions may ask exclusively about law or ethics. Different answers, so heads up.

practice | vignette | ethics

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