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100+ Free C-SSWS Practice Questions

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Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which requirement guarantees that a student with a disability is educated alongside non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate?

A
B
C
D
to track
2026 Statistics

Key Facts: C-SSWS Exam

2 years

Post-MSW Supervised Experience

NASW

2,160 hrs

Required Paid Practice Hours

NASW

20 hrs

CE in School Social Work

NASW

$165

Member Application Fee

NASW

$450

Non-Member Application Fee

NASW

2 years

Renewal Cycle

NASW

The C-SSWS is NASW's specialty credential for school social workers. It requires an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program, current MSW-level state license, 2,160 hours (2 years) of paid post-MSW supervised school social work experience, 20 CE hours in school social work, and references. The application fee is $165 for NASW members and $450 for non-members. Renewal is every two years. Core content ties to IDEA, ESSA, FERPA, MTSS/PBIS, RTI, FBA/BIP, trauma-informed practice, PREPaRE crisis response, and the NASW Code of Ethics.

Sample C-SSWS Practice Questions

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

1Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which requirement guarantees that a student with a disability is educated alongside non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate?
A.Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
B.Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
C.Child Find
D.Procedural safeguards
Explanation: Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) requires that, to the maximum extent appropriate, students with disabilities are educated with students who are not disabled. Removal from the regular education environment occurs only when the nature or severity of the disability prevents satisfactory achievement with supplementary aids and services. LRE is one of IDEA's six core principles.
2A parent requests a special education evaluation for their 2nd-grade child. Under IDEA, what is the maximum number of calendar days a school typically has to complete the initial evaluation after obtaining parental consent, unless the state sets a different timeline?
A.30 days
B.45 days
C.60 days
D.90 days
Explanation: Under IDEA, the initial evaluation must be completed within 60 calendar days of receiving parental consent for the evaluation, unless the state has established a different timeframe. This is codified at 34 CFR 300.301(c). Some states use a shorter or business-day-based timeline, which then governs in that state.
3A school social worker is participating in an IEP meeting. Which of the following is NOT a required member of the IEP team under IDEA?
A.The child's parent
B.At least one regular education teacher of the child
C.A school nurse
D.A representative of the local education agency (LEA)
Explanation: IDEA requires the IEP team to include the parent; at least one regular education teacher (if the child is or may be participating in the regular education environment); at least one special education teacher; an LEA representative qualified to provide or supervise specially designed instruction; an individual who can interpret evaluation results; the child when appropriate; and other individuals with knowledge or special expertise. A school nurse is not a required member unless the LEA invites them for health expertise.
4Which federal civil rights law — administered by the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights — protects students with disabilities from discrimination and can result in the creation of a '504 Plan'?
A.Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
B.Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
C.The Americans with Disabilities Act Title II
D.The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Explanation: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is the civil rights statute that prohibits disability-based discrimination by recipients of federal funds. In schools, students who have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity but do not qualify for special education under IDEA may still receive accommodations through a 504 Plan.
5A student qualifies for services under Section 504 but NOT under IDEA. Which of the following best distinguishes these two frameworks?
A.504 is funded by IDEA Part B grants; IDEA is funded by state general funds.
B.IDEA requires a documented disability that adversely affects educational performance in one of 13 categories; Section 504 covers any impairment that substantially limits a major life activity.
C.504 Plans must be renewed annually by law; IEPs must be renewed every three years.
D.IDEA is a civil rights statute; Section 504 is a federal spending program.
Explanation: IDEA is a federal special education funding statute with 13 eligibility categories (e.g., autism, specific learning disability), and eligibility requires that the disability adversely affects educational performance AND the child needs specially designed instruction. Section 504 is broader — it covers any physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity, so many students qualify for 504 who do not meet IDEA eligibility.
6An IEP team is discussing a student whose behavior 'impedes the child's learning or that of others.' Under IDEA, what must the team consider?
A.Immediate placement in a self-contained behavior classroom
B.The use of positive behavioral interventions and supports, and other strategies, to address the behavior
C.A 45-day interim alternative educational setting
D.Out-of-school suspension for up to 30 days
Explanation: IDEA 34 CFR 300.324(a)(2)(i) requires the IEP team, in the case of a child whose behavior impedes the child's learning or that of others, to consider the use of positive behavioral interventions and supports, and other strategies, to address that behavior. This is one of IDEA's 'special factors' the team must consider.
7A student with an IEP has been suspended for 11 cumulative school days in the current school year. Under IDEA, what must occur?
A.Nothing — 10-day suspensions are permitted without further action
B.A manifestation determination review must be held to decide if the behavior was a manifestation of the disability
C.The student must be expelled
D.The IEP must be terminated
Explanation: Under IDEA, a removal of a child with a disability from the current placement for more than 10 consecutive school days — or a series of removals that constitute a pattern totaling more than 10 cumulative school days in a school year — is considered a change of placement. Within 10 school days of that decision, the LEA, parent, and relevant IEP team members must conduct a manifestation determination review (MDR) to decide if the conduct was caused by, or had a direct and substantial relationship to, the child's disability, or was the direct result of the LEA's failure to implement the IEP.
8Related services under IDEA include all of the following EXCEPT:
A.Social work services in schools
B.Transportation
C.Speech-language pathology
D.Surgical procedures such as cochlear implantation
Explanation: IDEA specifically excludes medical services (other than for diagnostic and evaluation purposes) and surgically implanted devices — including the optimization of cochlear implant mapping — from related services. Related services under IDEA include social work services, transportation, speech-language pathology, counseling, occupational and physical therapy, psychological services, and others that support the child in benefiting from special education.
9Which of the following best describes 'Child Find' under IDEA?
A.A parental right to request an independent educational evaluation at public expense
B.The state and LEA duty to identify, locate, and evaluate all children with disabilities who may need special education
C.The requirement that all students be screened for gifted education
D.A federal database of children receiving special education services
Explanation: Child Find is codified at 34 CFR 300.111 and requires states and LEAs to have policies and procedures to identify, locate, and evaluate all children with disabilities residing in the state — including children who are homeless, wards of the state, or who attend private schools — who are in need of special education and related services. This obligation exists regardless of the severity of the disability and applies from birth through age 21.
10Which IDEA category is used when a student's primary eligibility is based on significant deficits in adaptive behavior and cognitive functioning that adversely affect educational performance?
A.Specific Learning Disability (SLD)
B.Other Health Impairment (OHI)
C.Intellectual Disability (ID)
D.Emotional Disturbance (ED)
Explanation: Under 34 CFR 300.8, Intellectual Disability is defined as significantly subaverage general intellectual functioning existing concurrently with deficits in adaptive behavior and manifested during the developmental period, that adversely affects a child's educational performance. SLD describes discrepancies in specific academic skills, OHI covers chronic/acute health problems, and ED covers behavioral/emotional conditions meeting specific criteria.

About the C-SSWS Exam

The Certified School Social Work Specialist (C-SSWS) is a master's-level NASW credential for school social workers with MSW-level state licensure and at least two years of paid, supervised post-MSW experience in a school setting. It is a documentation-reviewed credential grounded in the NASW Standards for School Social Work Services (2012) and the NASW Code of Ethics.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

Self-paced application

Passing Score

Portfolio review

Exam Fee

$165 members / $450 non-members (NASW)

C-SSWS Exam Content Outline

18%

Special Education Law — IDEA

IEP, 504, FAPE, LRE, evaluations, and procedural safeguards

14%

MTSS, PBIS, and Response to Intervention

Tiered supports, universal screening, data-based decision making

12%

Crisis Response and Suicide Risk in Youth

PREPaRE, threat assessment, suicide screening, school violence prevention

10%

Functional Behavior Assessment and BIP

FBA data collection, hypothesis statements, and behavior intervention plans

10%

Trauma-Informed Schools and ACEs

Adverse Childhood Experiences and trauma-responsive frameworks

8%

ESSA and Federal Education Policy

Every Student Succeeds Act, Title I, and accountability frameworks

8%

FERPA vs HIPAA in Schools

Education records, directory information, and disclosure rules

8%

NASW Ethics and School Social Work Standards

NASW Code of Ethics, student confidentiality, and the 2012 Standards

6%

Mandated Reporting and Child Welfare

Child abuse/neglect reporting requirements

6%

Cultural Competence, Bullying, and Grief

Culturally responsive practice, bullying prevention, and loss/grief support

How to Pass the C-SSWS Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Portfolio review
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: Self-paced application
  • Exam fee: $165 members / $450 non-members

Keys to Passing

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

C-SSWS Study Tips from Top Performers

1Ground every answer in a specific federal law (IDEA, ESSA, FERPA), NASW Standard, or evidence-based framework — not personal preference.
2Memorize the IEP team composition, timelines, and procedural safeguards under IDEA.
3Know the difference between Section 504 plans and IEPs — eligibility, funding source, and scope of services.
4Understand MTSS tiers, RTI data-based decision rules, and how FBA leads to BIP development.
5Review the NASW Code of Ethics sections on confidentiality, informed consent, and conflicts of interest involving minors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the C-SSWS credential?

The Certified School Social Work Specialist (C-SSWS) is a specialty credential awarded by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) to master's-level social workers practicing in K-12 schools. It recognizes expertise in special education law, tiered supports, trauma-informed practice, and the NASW Standards for School Social Work Services.

What are the C-SSWS eligibility requirements?

Applicants must hold an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program, maintain a current MSW-level state social work license or state school social work credential, have completed at least two years (2,160 hours) of paid, post-MSW supervised school social work experience, complete 20 CE hours in school social work, provide professional references, and agree to abide by the NASW Code of Ethics.

Does the C-SSWS require a proctored exam?

No. The C-SSWS is a documentation-based credential. NASW reviews your application materials — transcripts, license verification, experience documentation, CE records, and references — rather than administering a proctored exam. However, candidates still need deep knowledge of IDEA, ESSA, FERPA, MTSS, FBA/BIP, and NASW ethics to practice competently.

How much does the C-SSWS cost?

The C-SSWS application fee is $165 for NASW members and $450 for non-members. Renewal is required every two years and costs approximately $95 for members and $350 for non-members, with 20 CE hours in school social work required for renewal.

How is the C-SSWS renewed?

The C-SSWS must be renewed every two years. Renewal requires completing 20 continuing education (CE) hours relevant to school social work, maintaining an active MSW-level state license, continued adherence to the NASW Code of Ethics, and paying the renewal fee.

What is the difference between FERPA and HIPAA in schools?

FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) governs education records held by schools that receive federal funds. HIPAA generally does not apply to records already covered by FERPA. This means most K-12 student records — including school social work notes kept as education records — fall under FERPA, not HIPAA. School social workers should document this distinction carefully in their practice.