Download Chapter 8: Putting Evidence-Based Practice Into Practice

Chapter 4
Professional Credentials and
Professional Regulations
Evolution of Social Work
• Morality Period
• “Friendly visitors”
• Values Period
• Replacing moral focus with strategies and techniques
• Ethical Theory & Decision-Making Period
• Coincided with other professions’ interest in ethics
• Ethical Standards & Risk Management Period
• Expansion of ethical standards to guide practitioner
conduct
(Reamer, 2006)
Professional Credentials
• National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
• Established its first code of ethics in 1960
• Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW) – first
voluntary professional certification
• First ACSW examination given in 1962
• Further development of numerous certifications over
subsequent decades
• Developed tiered system of credentialing
Professional Credentials
• Differentiating terminology:
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Credential
Certification
Licensure
Practice Act
Title Protection
Registration
Professions
• Codified and uniform set of values and ethics
are required to be legally regulated and held
publicly accountable
• Regulated to protect the public
• Defined minimum competence
• Set code of conduct
Formalizing Accountability
• American Association of State Social Work
Boards/Association of Social Work Boards
• To promote networking
• To develop a national social work licensing examination
program
• Disciplinary Action Reporting System
• Works in collaboration with regulatory boards regarding
disciplinary actions taken against licensed social
workers