100+ Free ACSW Practice Questions

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How many core values are identified in the NASW Code of Ethics?

Six

Four

Eight

Ten

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: ACSW Exam

No exam

Application-based credential

NASW

$130-260

Application Fee Range

NASW 2026

2 years

Post-MSW Supervised Practice Required

NASW

Annual

Renewal Cycle (NASW Membership)

NASW

NASW Core Values in the Code of Ethics

NASW Code of Ethics 2021

MSW

Required Degree (CSWE-accredited)

NASW

ACSW is an application-based NASW credential (no proctored exam) for MSW-level practitioners. Requires MSW from a CSWE-accredited program + 2 years of post-MSW supervised practice + current NASW membership + supervisor reference + adherence to the 2021 NASW Code of Ethics. Application fee runs about $130-260 plus NASW annual dues; the credential renews annually. Our 100 free practice questions map to the testable competency domains: Code of Ethics (25%), practice theory and models (20%), assessment and DSM-5-TR (15%), intervention with diverse populations (15%), cultural humility/DEI (10%), supervision and CE (5%), practice settings (5%), and documentation/HIPAA/mandated reporting (5%).

Sample ACSW Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your ACSW exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1How many core values are identified in the NASW Code of Ethics?

A.Six

B.Four

C.Eight

D.Ten

Explanation: The NASW Code of Ethics identifies six core values that form the foundation of the profession: (1) service, (2) social justice, (3) dignity and worth of the person, (4) importance of human relationships, (5) integrity, and (6) competence. Each ethical principle in the Code flows from one of these values.

2Which NASW core value is paired with the ethical principle that social workers should challenge social injustice?

A.Social justice

B.Service

C.Integrity

D.Competence

Explanation: The ethical principle 'Social workers challenge social injustice' is paired with the core value of social justice. The Code's preamble explicitly pairs each of the six core values with a corresponding ethical principle, and social justice is the value that grounds advocacy against oppression.

3Section 1.09 of the NASW Code of Ethics prohibits sexual relationships with former clients for at least how long after termination?

A.2 years

B.6 months

C.1 year

D.Indefinitely with no time limit

Explanation: Section 1.09(c) prohibits sexual activities or sexual contact with former clients for at least 2 years after termination of professional services. Even after 2 years, the burden is on the social worker to demonstrate that the former client has not been exploited, coerced, or manipulated, intentionally or unintentionally.

4Under NASW Section 2.07, sexual relationships between social work supervisors and supervisees are:

A.Prohibited because of the power differential and risk of exploitation

B.Permitted with written consent from the supervisee

C.Permitted only outside work hours

D.Permitted after the supervisory relationship has formally ended

Explanation: Section 2.07 prohibits sexual activities or sexual contact with supervisees, students, trainees, or other colleagues over whom the social worker exercises professional authority. The power differential creates an inherent risk of exploitation that consent cannot cure.

5An ACSW receives a subpoena for a client's record in a custody dispute. The client has not signed a release. What is the MOST appropriate first action under Section 1.07?

A.Notify the client, consult with an attorney, and assert privilege unless ordered or released

B.Immediately produce the entire record to comply with the subpoena

C.Refuse to acknowledge the subpoena exists

D.Release only the parts that document positive parenting

Explanation: Section 1.07(j) requires social workers to protect the confidentiality of clients during legal proceedings to the extent permitted by law. The proper sequence is to notify the client of the subpoena, seek legal consultation, and assert privilege or move to quash before disclosing — release only when ordered by a court or with valid client consent.

6Which NASW Code of Ethics section addresses conflicts of interest?

A.1.06

B.1.03

C.2.04

D.4.02

Explanation: Section 1.06 (Conflicts of Interest) requires social workers to be alert to and avoid conflicts of interest that interfere with professional discretion and impartial judgment, and to inform clients when a real or potential conflict arises.

7Section 1.16 (Termination of Services) requires social workers to:

A.Terminate services to clients only when the relationship is no longer required or no longer serves the client's needs, and to make appropriate referrals

B.Continue services indefinitely once a relationship has begun

C.Terminate at the social worker's convenience without notice

D.Refuse termination if the client has unpaid fees

Explanation: Section 1.16 directs that termination should occur when services are no longer required or no longer serve the client's interests, and that social workers should take reasonable steps to avoid abandonment — notifying the client, addressing remaining needs, and providing referrals when appropriate.

8Which standard of the NASW Code of Ethics covers ethical responsibilities to colleagues?

A.Standard 2

B.Standard 1

C.Standard 3

D.Standard 5

Explanation: Standard 2 covers Ethical Responsibilities to Colleagues (respect, confidentiality, interdisciplinary collaboration, disputes, consultation, sexual relationships, sexual harassment, impairment, incompetence, and unethical conduct of colleagues).

9Standard 6 of the NASW Code of Ethics addresses ethical responsibilities to:

A.The broader society

B.Clients

C.Colleagues

D.Practice settings

Explanation: Standard 6 covers Ethical Responsibilities to the Broader Society — including social welfare, public participation, public emergencies, and social and political action. This grounds the macro-practice responsibilities of all NASW members.

10Section 4.04 (Dishonesty, Fraud, and Deception) prohibits social workers from:

A.Participating in, condoning, or being associated with dishonesty, fraud, or deception

B.Using assessment tools that have not been peer-reviewed

C.Disclosing protected health information under any circumstance

D.Providing services across state lines

Explanation: Section 4.04 explicitly prohibits social workers from participating in, condoning, or being associated with dishonesty, fraud, or deception. This applies broadly — billing fraud, falsified records, misrepresented credentials, and deceptive marketing all fall under 4.04.

About the ACSW Exam

The NASW Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW) is the longest-running NASW credential and is reserved for MSW-level practitioners. There is NO proctored exam — NASW awards the credential after application review verifying a CSWE-accredited MSW, current NASW membership, at least 2 years of post-MSW supervised practice, a professional reference from an MSW-level supervisor, and attestation to the 2021 NASW Code of Ethics. The credential is renewed annually with NASW dues. Our 100 free practice questions cover the published competency domains — the NASW Code of Ethics and Standards 1-6, practice theory (PIE, Strengths Perspective, Trauma-Informed Care, CBT, SFBT, Family Systems, Ecological Systems), DSM-5-TR assessment, intervention with diverse populations, cultural humility and anti-racism, supervision, macro practice, HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and mandated reporting.

Assessment

No proctored exam — the ACSW is the longest-running NASW credential and is awarded via application review, MSW from a CSWE-accredited program, current NASW membership, 2 years of post-MSW supervised practice, professional references from a supervisor, and adherence to the 2021 NASW Code of Ethics. These 100 free practice questions cover the testable competency domains for self-study and CE.

Time Limit

Application-based credential (no proctored exam)

Passing Score

Application review + peer references

Exam Fee

$130-260 + NASW membership dues (National Association of Social Workers (NASW))

ACSW Exam Content Outline

25%

NASW Code of Ethics & Ethical Decision-Making

Six core values, six ethical principles, Standards 1-6, and key sections (1.06, 1.07, 1.08, 1.09 sexual relationships, 1.13 payment, 1.16 termination, 2.07, 3.01, 4.04)

20%

Social Work Practice Theory & Models

Person-in-Environment classification, Saleebey's Strengths Perspective, SAMHSA Trauma-Informed Care, CBT, SFBT, Narrative, Family Systems (Bowen, Minuchin, Satir), Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems, Roberts 7-step Crisis Intervention, MI/OARS

15%

Assessment & Diagnosis (DSM-5-TR, Biopsychosocial)

Biopsychosocial-Spiritual assessment, 3+ generation genogram, ecomap, Mental Status Exam, Columbia C-SSRS / SLAP suicide risk, DSM-5-TR (March 2022) including prolonged grief disorder and the alternative model for personality disorders

15%

Intervention & Practice with Diverse Populations

Evidence-based interventions for BIPOC, LGBTQ+ clients, older adults (ageism), people with disabilities (social vs medical model), immigrants and refugees (acculturation), and people experiencing poverty (TANF, SNAP)

10%

Cultural Humility, Anti-Racism, DEI Competencies

Tervalon and Murray-García's cultural humility framework as lifelong learning vs cultural-competence checkbox, structural racism, white fragility (DiAngelo), implicit bias, microaggressions

Supervision, Consultation & Continuing Education

Kadushin's three supervision functions (administrative, clinical, supportive), NASW Standards for Continuing Professional Education, ACSW annual renewal CE

Practice Settings (Clinical, Community, Macro, Policy)

Community organizing (Alinsky and Rothman's three models), policy advocacy, program evaluation with logic models, macro vs micro practice settings

Documentation, Confidentiality, HIPAA & Mandated Reporting

HIPAA Privacy Rule (18 PHI identifiers, minimum necessary, BAAs), 42 CFR Part 2 stricter SUD protections, SOAP/DAP/BIRP notes, Tarasoff duty to warn (state-dependent), mandated reporting of child/elder/dependent-adult abuse

How to Pass the ACSW Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Application review + peer references
Assessment: No proctored exam — the ACSW is the longest-running NASW credential and is awarded via application review, MSW from a CSWE-accredited program, current NASW membership, 2 years of post-MSW supervised practice, professional references from a supervisor, and adherence to the 2021 NASW Code of Ethics. These 100 free practice questions cover the testable competency domains for self-study and CE.
Time limit: Application-based credential (no proctored exam)
Exam fee: $130-260 + NASW membership dues

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

ACSW Study Tips from Top Performers

1Read the 2021 NASW Code of Ethics in full — memorize the six core values (service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, competence) and know Standards 1-6 cold

2Know the high-yield Code sections by number: 1.06 conflicts of interest, 1.07 confidentiality, 1.09 sexual relationships (prohibited with current clients and for 2 years post-termination), 1.16 termination, 2.07 supervisees, 4.04 dishonesty

3Memorize SAMHSA's six Trauma-Informed Care principles: Safety, Trustworthiness and Transparency, Peer Support, Collaboration and Mutuality, Empowerment/Voice/Choice, and Cultural/Historical/Gender issues

4Distinguish HIPAA from 42 CFR Part 2 — SUD records from federally assisted programs require specific consent for each disclosure (stricter than HIPAA's minimum-necessary standard)

5Practice cultural humility (Tervalon and Murray-García) as lifelong self-reflection rather than a cultural competence checkbox — questions test the conceptual difference

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the ACSW a written exam?

No. The ACSW is an application-based NASW credential — there is no proctored or computer-based test. NASW awards the Academy of Certified Social Workers credential after reviewing your CSWE-accredited MSW transcript, current NASW membership, evidence of at least 2 years of post-MSW supervised practice, a professional reference from an MSW-level supervisor, and your attestation to the 2021 NASW Code of Ethics. Our 100 free practice questions are competency-area review and CE self-study, not a pass/fail qualifying exam.

Who is eligible for the NASW ACSW?

Eligibility requires: (1) a Master's in Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program, (2) current NASW membership in good standing, (3) at least 2 years of paid post-MSW supervised social work practice, (4) a professional reference from an MSW-level supervisor who can attest to your competence, and (5) attestation to and adherence with the 2021 NASW Code of Ethics. The ACSW is members-only — you must remain a NASW member in good standing to hold the credential.

How much does the ACSW cost?

The ACSW application fee is approximately $130-260 depending on current NASW pricing tiers, in addition to your annual NASW membership dues (which vary by income and career stage). The credential is renewed annually with continued NASW membership and CE compliance — there is no separate periodic re-credentialing exam fee because there is no exam. Always confirm the current fee on the NASW Apply for Social Work Credentials page before submitting your application.

What is the difference between ACSW, DCSW, and QCSW?

All three are NASW credentials for MSW-level social workers. The ACSW (Academy of Certified Social Workers) is NASW's longest-running, broad-practice credential — application-based, no exam, requires 2 years post-MSW supervised practice. The QCSW (Qualified Clinical Social Worker) is NASW's clinical-practice credential for licensed clinical social workers. The DCSW (Diplomate in Clinical Social Work) is NASW's most advanced clinical credential, requiring 5 years of post-MSW clinical practice plus the highest state clinical licensure (LCSW or equivalent). All three are application-based — none requires sitting a proctored exam.

How is the ACSW renewed?

The ACSW renews annually. Renewal requires (1) continuous NASW membership in good standing, (2) compliance with the NASW Standards for Continuing Professional Education and any state-specific CE requirements tied to your underlying state license, and (3) ongoing adherence to the 2021 NASW Code of Ethics. NASW sends membership and credential renewal notices each year — lapsing your NASW membership lapses the ACSW credential.

What competency content do these practice questions cover?

The 100 questions follow NASW's published competency domains: NASW Code of Ethics and ethical decision-making (25%), practice theory and models including PIE, Strengths Perspective, Trauma-Informed Care, CBT, SFBT, Family Systems, and Ecological Systems (20%), assessment and diagnosis with DSM-5-TR and biopsychosocial-spiritual frameworks (15%), intervention with diverse populations (15%), cultural humility and anti-racism (10%), supervision/consultation/CE (5%), macro practice settings (5%), and documentation, confidentiality, HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and mandated reporting (5%).