NASW Credentialing Center Frequently Asked Questions
CREDENTIALS/SPECIALTY CERTIFICATIONS
1. What is the NASW Credentialing Center?
The NASW Credentialing Center is a department within the NASW National Office
responsible for the management of NASW credentials and specialty certifications,
the NASW Register of Clinical Social Workers, the NASW Continuing
Education Approval Program, the Verifications Program, and the National Social
Worker Finder.
2. How many credentials and specialty certifications does NASW offer?
NASW offers three credentials and seven specialty certifications (five for
MSW’s and two for BSW’s).
3. How are NASW credentials and specialty certifications developed?
NASW credentials and specialty certifications are created based on member
needs surveys. The criteria are then developed by social workers who
are experts in the respective fields.
4. How long has NASW had credentials and specialty certifications?
NASW has been offering credentials to social workers for more than 45 years
starting with the ACSW. NASW Specialty Certifications have been offered
since 2000.
5. Does NASW membership automatically give you a credential or
specialty certification?
No, not every member qualifies for an NASW credential
or specialty certification. A
member must have the required experience, supervision, education, knowledge,
and skill to qualify for an NASW credential or specialty certification.
6. What is the NASW Register of Clinical Social Workers?
The NASW Register of Clinical Social Workers lists clinical social
workers. The listees provide clinical social work services to clients
throughout the United States. All listees have agreed to adhere to the NASW Code
of Ethics, NASW Standards for the Practice of Clinical Social Work and NASW Standards
for Continuing Professional Education. Managed care providers, individuals,
and organizations use the Register as a referral source. To
find a clinical social worker, go to www.socialworkers.org/register/default.asp.
7. How do I get my name in the NASW Register of Clinical
Social Workers?
You must be an active QCSW to have your name listed in the NASW Register.
8. Do I need a social work degree to qualify for an NASW credential
or specialty certification?
Yes. All credential and specialty certification holders have a BSW or
an MSW. No other degrees are accepted.
9. Are the NASW credentials and specialty certifications the same
as a state license?
No, a state social work license is issued to regulate the practice of social
work and protect the public. A state social work license is issued by
and useful only in the jurisdiction where the holder plans to practice. An
NASW credential/specialty certification signifies that the holder has met the
highest standards developed in the social work profession nationally in addition
to having experience and supervision working with certain populations. All
holders of NASW credentials and specialty certifications agree to adhere to
the NASW Code of Ethics and NASW Standards for Continuing
Professional Education as well as standards for social work practice.
10. If I have a state license do I need an NASW credential or specialty certification?
An NASW credential or specialty certification is a professional designation
and does not take the place of a state license. NASW credentials and
specialty certifications are used to enhance the state license. It signifies
that the holder has additional training, experience, and supervision.
11. What are the benefits of having an NASW credential or specialty certification?
Holders of NASW credentials and specialty certifications become part of the
most widely recognized social work organization in the world and have opportunities
for broader exposure. In addition, holders are recognized as meeting
established national standards of social work practice and adhere to the NASW Code
of Ethics. Holders have social work knowledge, proven work experience,
demonstrated competence, and adhere to ethical practice.
12. How do I apply for an NASW credential or specialty certification?
You can download the application from the NASW Web site at www.socialworkers.org/credentials. When
the application is complete and all supporting documentation is attached, it
can be mailed to the address provided in the application, along with the payment.
13. How long does it take to obtain an NASW credential or specialty certification?
If all of the required documents are received, processing of an application
takes fifteen (15) business days. If additional information is needed,
the processing could take up to thirty (30) days.
14. Is there a renewal process?
Yes. Renewal for the ACSW is every year. Renewal for the QCSW
is every two years. Renewal for Specialty Certifications is every two
years. Renewal packets are sent prior to the expiration of the credential/certification.
15. What are the criteria for the credentials and specialty certifications?
Each credential/certification has its own criteria. You can download
an application from the NASW Web site at www.socialworkers.org/credentials or
refer to the following fact sheets:
16. Do I need to be a current member of NASW to apply for the NASW credentials
and specialty certifications?
Yes. You must be a member in good standing.
17. Can supervision by any mental health professional be used to qualify for
NASW credentials and specialty certifications?
Alternate supervision by other professionals can be recognized. Specific
professionals differ depending on the credential or specialty certification
(see the application for additional information.)
18. May I use supervision with a social worker outside of my employer? May
I contract for supervision?
Yes, you may contract for supervision. The written contract should accompany
your application and be acknowledged by your employer/organization supervisor
or administrator. The contract should specify the frequency, duration,
and format of the session (see the application for additional information.)
19. My supervisor is deceased or unable to be reached, how do I document my
supervision?
Submit a letter specifically explaining why you are unable to contact your
supervisor. Provide documentation from the organization’s human
resource office attesting to this supervision or include a copy of your state
social work board application. A colleague familiar with your work may
then complete the supervisory form.
20. What if the employer I worked for no longer exists?
Submit a letter specifically explaining why you are unable to contact your
supervisor, along with a copy of the supervisory form you submitted to your
state social work board. A colleague familiar with your work may then
complete the supervisory form.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
21. Are continuing education (CE) credits required for NASW credentials and
specialty certifications?
All holders of credentials and specialty certifications agree to adhere to
the NASW Standards for Continuing Professional Education. CE’s
are required when submitting an application for the ACSW, C-CATODSW, C-ACYFSW,
and
C-CYFSW. Twenty
(20) hours of continuing education are also required for the renewal of all
specialty certifications.
22. Can I use the continuing education hours I submit for my state license
to renew my NASW specialty certification?
Yes, as long as the content of the program is linked to the primary areas
of the certification.
23. What CE’s are acceptable for credentials and specialty certifications?
CE’s submitted for specialty certifications must meet the core knowledge
and skill areas for the respective certifications. In other words, continuing
education programs must be related to the population and subject matter of
the respective certifications. Please refer to the application for further
information on a specific certification. Approved ethics programs are
also required for the ACSW application and can be found on the NASW Web site
at www.socialworkers.org/ce.
Types of activities that qualify for continuing education credit:
- Courses provided by colleges and universities.
- NASW National or Chapter provided or approved trainings, workshops, and
conferences.
- Courses provided by groups and organizations certified to grant social
work continuing education.
- Workplace in-service trainings or workshops.
- Home study programs that are approved by state social work licensing boards
or educational entities.
- 50% (10 hours) may be obtained through accredited Web-based courses, distance
learning, scholarly publications (e.g. books and journal articles), instruction
(courses and workshops taught or presented), and computer-assisted instruction.
24. What is an approved ethics program for the ACSW application?
The NASW Credentialing Center has defined a social work ethics program as
one that teaches principles of making ethical decisions and provides models
for addressing ethical issues in social work practice.
Ethics includes one, some, or all of the following components:
- NASW Code of Ethics
- Statutes, state laws and regulations for social work practice
- Confidentiality
- Boundary issues
- Ethical dilemmas inherent in social work practice
- Ethics consultation
- Ethical misconduct
- Professional malpractice and liability
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
The sole objective of the program must be to convey the aforementioned definition
and/or components. If the ethics content is part of a larger conference,
it must fulfill at least three (3) hours (evident in either the program agenda
or on the certificate of completion).
25. How do I find CE programs?
Visit the NASW CE Approval Program at www.socialworkers.org/ce. The
programs are listed by conferences, workshops, and distance learning and you
can search by state and specific topics.
26. What is the NASW Continuing Education (CE) Approval Program?
The NASW CE Approval Program approves social work relevant educational opportunities
provided by numerous organizations. Approved providers offer workshops,
conferences, home study programs, Internet-based programs and distance learning
education. A majority of social work licensing boards accepts programs
approved through the NASW CE Approval Program. Social workers may use
the NASW CE Approval Program to search for educational programs nationally,
regionally, or locally.
27. How does a provider get approval for CE’s?
Programs must meet the criteria established by NASW. The criteria and
application can be downloaded from the NASW Web site at www.socialworkers.org/ce/approval.asp.
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