ASWB LMSW PRACTICE EXAM
COMPREHENSIVE QUESTION BANK AND
STUDY GUIDE
Pass your licensed master social work board evaluation on the first attempt
with this comprehensive practice exam resource. This targeted preparation
guide delivers high-yield practice questions covering human development,
diversity, assessment, interventions, and professional ethics. Engineered
specifically for graduate-level social workers, this testing package builds
critical diagnostic reasoning and application logic to help you confidently
clear the regulatory board exam.
DOMAIN I: PROFESSIONAL VALUES, ETHICS, AND REGULATION
(QUESTIONS 1–90)
1. A social worker receives a subpoena for a client’s records. The client
has not consented to the release. What should the social worker do
FIRST?
A) Send the records immediately to avoid contempt of court
B) Assert privilege and attempt to obtain the client’s consent
C) Destroy the records to protect confidentiality
D) Notify the client’s family about the subpoena
Correct Answer: B – Assert privilege and attempt to obtain the client’s
consent
Rationale: When records are subpoenaed, the social worker should assert
privilege and seek the client’s consent before releasing information. Sending
records without consent may violate confidentiality.
,2. A social worker has a sexual relationship with a former client. Which
ethical principle is MOST directly violated?
A) Confidentiality
B) Informed consent
C) Self-determination
D) Boundary integrity
Correct Answer: D – Boundary integrity
Rationale: Sexual relationships with former clients constitute a boundary
violation and are prohibited by the NASW Code of Ethics.
3. A 15-year-old client discloses being physically harmed at home.
What is the social worker’s legal obligation?
A) Maintain confidentiality because the client is a minor
B) Report the suspected abuse to the appropriate authorities
C) Inform the parents of the disclosure
D) Document the disclosure and take no further action
Correct Answer: B – Report the suspected abuse to the appropriate
authorities
Rationale: Social workers are mandated reporters. Suspected child abuse
must be reported according to state law, regardless of the client’s age.
4. A social worker is asked to provide information about a client to the
client’s employer. Which action is MOST appropriate?
A) Release the information because the employer is paying for services
B) Obtain written informed consent from the client before releasing any
information
,C) Provide only a verbal summary to protect privacy
D) Refuse to speak with the employer
Correct Answer: B – Obtain written informed consent from the client
before releasing any information
Rationale: Confidentiality requires written consent before disclosing protected
health information to third parties, including employers.
5. A social worker in a small community encounters a client at the local
grocery store. The client approaches and begins discussing treatment.
What should the social worker do?
A) Engage in the conversation to avoid appearing rude
B) Gently redirect the conversation and suggest discussing it in the office
C) Ignore the client and walk away
D) Discuss the client’s case openly since they initiated the conversation
Correct Answer: B – Gently redirect the conversation and suggest
discussing it in the office
Rationale: Social workers must protect client confidentiality, even in public
settings. Redirecting the conversation maintains boundaries and privacy.
6. A social worker is considering bartering with a client who cannot
afford services. Under what circumstances is bartering acceptable?
A) Never; bartering is always prohibited
B) When the client initiates the offer and the social worker agrees
C) When it is culturally appropriate and not exploitative, and documented
in the treatment plan
D) When the social worker needs the goods or services being offered
Correct Answer: C – When it is culturally appropriate and not
exploitative, and documented in the treatment plan
, Rationale: The NASW Code of Ethics permits bartering only when it is
culturally appropriate, not exploitative, and documented appropriately.
7. A social worker discovers that a colleague is impaired by alcohol
while seeing clients. What should the social worker do FIRST?
A) Ignore the situation to avoid conflict
B) Report the colleague to the state licensing board immediately
C) Speak with the colleague privately and encourage them to seek help
D) Cover for the colleague until they recover
Correct Answer: C – Speak with the colleague privately and encourage
them to seek help
Rationale: The first step is to address the issue privately and encourage the
colleague to seek assistance. If the impairment continues, further reporting
may be necessary.
8. A social worker is asked to testify in court about a client’s mental
health status. What is the social worker’s primary obligation?
A) Protect the client’s confidentiality at all costs
B) Provide accurate and objective information to the court
C) Advocate for the client’s preferred outcome
D) Refuse to testify without the client’s permission
Correct Answer: B – Provide accurate and objective information to the
court
Rationale: When ordered by the court, social workers must provide accurate,
objective information while protecting confidentiality to the extent permitted
by law.
COMPREHENSIVE QUESTION BANK AND
STUDY GUIDE
Pass your licensed master social work board evaluation on the first attempt
with this comprehensive practice exam resource. This targeted preparation
guide delivers high-yield practice questions covering human development,
diversity, assessment, interventions, and professional ethics. Engineered
specifically for graduate-level social workers, this testing package builds
critical diagnostic reasoning and application logic to help you confidently
clear the regulatory board exam.
DOMAIN I: PROFESSIONAL VALUES, ETHICS, AND REGULATION
(QUESTIONS 1–90)
1. A social worker receives a subpoena for a client’s records. The client
has not consented to the release. What should the social worker do
FIRST?
A) Send the records immediately to avoid contempt of court
B) Assert privilege and attempt to obtain the client’s consent
C) Destroy the records to protect confidentiality
D) Notify the client’s family about the subpoena
Correct Answer: B – Assert privilege and attempt to obtain the client’s
consent
Rationale: When records are subpoenaed, the social worker should assert
privilege and seek the client’s consent before releasing information. Sending
records without consent may violate confidentiality.
,2. A social worker has a sexual relationship with a former client. Which
ethical principle is MOST directly violated?
A) Confidentiality
B) Informed consent
C) Self-determination
D) Boundary integrity
Correct Answer: D – Boundary integrity
Rationale: Sexual relationships with former clients constitute a boundary
violation and are prohibited by the NASW Code of Ethics.
3. A 15-year-old client discloses being physically harmed at home.
What is the social worker’s legal obligation?
A) Maintain confidentiality because the client is a minor
B) Report the suspected abuse to the appropriate authorities
C) Inform the parents of the disclosure
D) Document the disclosure and take no further action
Correct Answer: B – Report the suspected abuse to the appropriate
authorities
Rationale: Social workers are mandated reporters. Suspected child abuse
must be reported according to state law, regardless of the client’s age.
4. A social worker is asked to provide information about a client to the
client’s employer. Which action is MOST appropriate?
A) Release the information because the employer is paying for services
B) Obtain written informed consent from the client before releasing any
information
,C) Provide only a verbal summary to protect privacy
D) Refuse to speak with the employer
Correct Answer: B – Obtain written informed consent from the client
before releasing any information
Rationale: Confidentiality requires written consent before disclosing protected
health information to third parties, including employers.
5. A social worker in a small community encounters a client at the local
grocery store. The client approaches and begins discussing treatment.
What should the social worker do?
A) Engage in the conversation to avoid appearing rude
B) Gently redirect the conversation and suggest discussing it in the office
C) Ignore the client and walk away
D) Discuss the client’s case openly since they initiated the conversation
Correct Answer: B – Gently redirect the conversation and suggest
discussing it in the office
Rationale: Social workers must protect client confidentiality, even in public
settings. Redirecting the conversation maintains boundaries and privacy.
6. A social worker is considering bartering with a client who cannot
afford services. Under what circumstances is bartering acceptable?
A) Never; bartering is always prohibited
B) When the client initiates the offer and the social worker agrees
C) When it is culturally appropriate and not exploitative, and documented
in the treatment plan
D) When the social worker needs the goods or services being offered
Correct Answer: C – When it is culturally appropriate and not
exploitative, and documented in the treatment plan
, Rationale: The NASW Code of Ethics permits bartering only when it is
culturally appropriate, not exploitative, and documented appropriately.
7. A social worker discovers that a colleague is impaired by alcohol
while seeing clients. What should the social worker do FIRST?
A) Ignore the situation to avoid conflict
B) Report the colleague to the state licensing board immediately
C) Speak with the colleague privately and encourage them to seek help
D) Cover for the colleague until they recover
Correct Answer: C – Speak with the colleague privately and encourage
them to seek help
Rationale: The first step is to address the issue privately and encourage the
colleague to seek assistance. If the impairment continues, further reporting
may be necessary.
8. A social worker is asked to testify in court about a client’s mental
health status. What is the social worker’s primary obligation?
A) Protect the client’s confidentiality at all costs
B) Provide accurate and objective information to the court
C) Advocate for the client’s preferred outcome
D) Refuse to testify without the client’s permission
Correct Answer: B – Provide accurate and objective information to the
court
Rationale: When ordered by the court, social workers must provide accurate,
objective information while protecting confidentiality to the extent permitted
by law.
