Page 1 of 239
ASWB® MASTERS SOCIAL WORK
LICENSURE EXAM; COMPLETE PRACTICE
UPDATED 2026 EXAM CHANGES| 402
DETAILED RATIONALES | A+ VERIFIED
OF PROFESSIONAL VALUES, ETHICS,
# SECTION I: PROFESSIONAL VALUES, ETHICS, AND REGULATION
## NASW Code of Ethics – Core Values & Principles
**11.** According to the NASW Code of Ethics, which value is considered the primary ethical
obligation of social workers?
A. Competence
B. Service
C. Dignity and worth of the person
D. Integrity
**Correct Answer: C**
,Page 2 of 239
**Rationale:** The NASW Code of Ethics identifies "Dignity and Worth of the Person" as a
core value that recognizes the inherent worth of every individual. This value underlies the ethical
principles of respecting clients' right to self-determination and treating each person with respect.
While service, competence, and integrity are all core values, dignity and worth of the person is
foundational to all social work practice.
---
**12.** A social worker discovers that a client has been providing false information to receive
additional benefits. The social worker's FIRST ethical responsibility is to:
A. Report the client to the benefits agency immediately
B. Terminate services with the client
C. Discuss the discrepancy with the client and explore the reasons
D. Document the false information in the client's file without addressing it
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** The NASW Code of Ethics emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity
in the client-social worker relationship. The social worker's first responsibility is to address the
issue directly with the client in a respectful manner, exploring the reasons behind the behavior
while maintaining the therapeutic relationship. Reporting immediately (A) or terminating
services (B) would violate the client's right to self-determination and the principle of dignity and
worth of the person. Simply documenting without addressing (D) is passive and does not fulfill
the ethical obligation to address problematic behavior.
---
**13.** A social worker is asked by a client to provide a letter recommending that the client's
children be returned from foster care. The social worker has concerns about the client's current
parenting capacity. What should the social worker do?
,Page 3 of 239
A. Write the letter as requested to maintain the therapeutic alliance
B. Decline to write the letter without explanation
C. Write an honest letter that accurately reflects the social worker's professional assessment
D. Refer the client to another social worker who can write the letter
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Social workers have an ethical obligation to be honest in their professional
communications. Writing an honest letter that accurately reflects the professional assessment
maintains integrity and protects the best interests of the children. Writing a letter that does not
reflect the true assessment (A) would be dishonest. Declining without explanation (B) does not
serve the client's needs. Referring to another social worker (D) would not change the
professional obligation to be truthful.
---
**14.** The NASW Code of Ethics identifies six core values. Which of the following is NOT
one of these core values?
A. Service
B. Social Justice
C. Profitability
D. Integrity
**Correct Answer: C**
, Page 4 of 239
**Rationale:** The NASW Code of Ethics identifies six core values: Service, Social Justice,
Dignity and Worth of the Person, Importance of Human Relationships, Integrity, and
Competence. Profitability is not a core value of social work; rather, social work emphasizes
service to others over personal or financial gain.
---
**15.** A social worker is providing services to a family who belongs to a culture that practices
arranged marriages for their children. The 16-year-old daughter expresses distress about an
upcoming arranged marriage. The social worker should:
A. Immediately report the parents to child protective services
B. Tell the daughter she has the right to refuse the marriage
C. Understand the cultural context while also advocating for the daughter's right to self-
determination
D. Encourage the family to abandon their cultural practices
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Social workers must demonstrate cultural competence while also upholding the
principle of client self-determination. The social worker should understand and respect the
cultural context while working with both the daughter and the family to explore options that
respect her rights. Reporting to CPS (A) may not be appropriate if no abuse has occurred. Telling
the daughter she has the right to refuse (B) without considering family dynamics may cause
harm. Encouraging abandonment of cultural practices (D) is culturally insensitive and
disrespectful.
---
**16.** A social worker realizes that a colleague is practicing while impaired due to substance
use. According to the NASW Code of Ethics, the social worker should:
ASWB® MASTERS SOCIAL WORK
LICENSURE EXAM; COMPLETE PRACTICE
UPDATED 2026 EXAM CHANGES| 402
DETAILED RATIONALES | A+ VERIFIED
OF PROFESSIONAL VALUES, ETHICS,
# SECTION I: PROFESSIONAL VALUES, ETHICS, AND REGULATION
## NASW Code of Ethics – Core Values & Principles
**11.** According to the NASW Code of Ethics, which value is considered the primary ethical
obligation of social workers?
A. Competence
B. Service
C. Dignity and worth of the person
D. Integrity
**Correct Answer: C**
,Page 2 of 239
**Rationale:** The NASW Code of Ethics identifies "Dignity and Worth of the Person" as a
core value that recognizes the inherent worth of every individual. This value underlies the ethical
principles of respecting clients' right to self-determination and treating each person with respect.
While service, competence, and integrity are all core values, dignity and worth of the person is
foundational to all social work practice.
---
**12.** A social worker discovers that a client has been providing false information to receive
additional benefits. The social worker's FIRST ethical responsibility is to:
A. Report the client to the benefits agency immediately
B. Terminate services with the client
C. Discuss the discrepancy with the client and explore the reasons
D. Document the false information in the client's file without addressing it
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** The NASW Code of Ethics emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity
in the client-social worker relationship. The social worker's first responsibility is to address the
issue directly with the client in a respectful manner, exploring the reasons behind the behavior
while maintaining the therapeutic relationship. Reporting immediately (A) or terminating
services (B) would violate the client's right to self-determination and the principle of dignity and
worth of the person. Simply documenting without addressing (D) is passive and does not fulfill
the ethical obligation to address problematic behavior.
---
**13.** A social worker is asked by a client to provide a letter recommending that the client's
children be returned from foster care. The social worker has concerns about the client's current
parenting capacity. What should the social worker do?
,Page 3 of 239
A. Write the letter as requested to maintain the therapeutic alliance
B. Decline to write the letter without explanation
C. Write an honest letter that accurately reflects the social worker's professional assessment
D. Refer the client to another social worker who can write the letter
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Social workers have an ethical obligation to be honest in their professional
communications. Writing an honest letter that accurately reflects the professional assessment
maintains integrity and protects the best interests of the children. Writing a letter that does not
reflect the true assessment (A) would be dishonest. Declining without explanation (B) does not
serve the client's needs. Referring to another social worker (D) would not change the
professional obligation to be truthful.
---
**14.** The NASW Code of Ethics identifies six core values. Which of the following is NOT
one of these core values?
A. Service
B. Social Justice
C. Profitability
D. Integrity
**Correct Answer: C**
, Page 4 of 239
**Rationale:** The NASW Code of Ethics identifies six core values: Service, Social Justice,
Dignity and Worth of the Person, Importance of Human Relationships, Integrity, and
Competence. Profitability is not a core value of social work; rather, social work emphasizes
service to others over personal or financial gain.
---
**15.** A social worker is providing services to a family who belongs to a culture that practices
arranged marriages for their children. The 16-year-old daughter expresses distress about an
upcoming arranged marriage. The social worker should:
A. Immediately report the parents to child protective services
B. Tell the daughter she has the right to refuse the marriage
C. Understand the cultural context while also advocating for the daughter's right to self-
determination
D. Encourage the family to abandon their cultural practices
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** Social workers must demonstrate cultural competence while also upholding the
principle of client self-determination. The social worker should understand and respect the
cultural context while working with both the daughter and the family to explore options that
respect her rights. Reporting to CPS (A) may not be appropriate if no abuse has occurred. Telling
the daughter she has the right to refuse (B) without considering family dynamics may cause
harm. Encouraging abandonment of cultural practices (D) is culturally insensitive and
disrespectful.
---
**16.** A social worker realizes that a colleague is practicing while impaired due to substance
use. According to the NASW Code of Ethics, the social worker should:
