Clinical Social Work Licensure Exam
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. A licensed clinical social worker is assessing a client presenting with
persistent sadness, anhedonia, and fatigue for over two months.
Which diagnostic feature is most essential in confirming Major
Depressive Disorder?
A. Presence of at least one manic episode
B. Symptoms lasting at least one week
C. Depressed mood or loss of interest accompanied by functional
impairment
D. Presence of psychotic features only
,Rationale: Major Depressive Disorder requires at least one core symptom
(depressed mood or anhedonia) along with additional symptoms causing
significant distress or impairment over a minimum of two weeks.
2. During a therapy session, a client describes recurring intrusive
thoughts and repetitive behaviors performed to reduce anxiety. Which
diagnosis is most consistent with these symptoms?
A. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
B. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
C. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
D. Panic Disorder
Rationale: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is characterized by intrusive
thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) aimed at
reducing anxiety.
3. A social worker uses cognitive restructuring to challenge a client’s
irrational beliefs. This intervention is primarily associated with which
therapeutic approach?
A. Psychodynamic therapy
B. Humanistic therapy
C. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
D. Gestalt therapy
,Rationale: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying and
modifying distorted thinking patterns to influence emotions and behaviors.
4. A client reports experiencing flashbacks, nightmares, and
hypervigilance following a traumatic event. Which diagnosis is most
appropriate?
A. Acute Stress Disorder
B. Adjustment Disorder
C. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
D. Dissociative Identity Disorder
Rationale: PTSD involves prolonged symptoms such as re-experiencing,
avoidance, and hyperarousal lasting more than one month after trauma
exposure.
5. Which ethical principle requires social workers to respect clients’
rights to make their own decisions?
A. Beneficence
B. Nonmaleficence
C. Justice
D. Autonomy
Rationale: Autonomy emphasizes the client’s right to self-determination
and informed decision-making.
, 6. A clinician suspects a client is experiencing auditory hallucinations and
delusions of persecution. These symptoms are most indicative of
which disorder?
A. Bipolar II Disorder
B. Major Depressive Disorder
C. Schizophrenia
D. Borderline Personality Disorder
Rationale: Schizophrenia involves psychotic symptoms such as
hallucinations and delusions that impair functioning.
7. A social worker is required to break confidentiality when:
A. A client shares past illegal activity
B. A client expresses dissatisfaction with therapy
C. A client poses imminent risk to self or others
D. A client refuses treatment
Rationale: Duty to warn and protect requires breaching confidentiality
when there is an immediate threat of harm.
8. A client demonstrates unstable relationships, impulsivity, and fear of
abandonment. Which diagnosis is most consistent?
A. Narcissistic Personality Disorder
B. Antisocial Personality Disorder
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. A licensed clinical social worker is assessing a client presenting with
persistent sadness, anhedonia, and fatigue for over two months.
Which diagnostic feature is most essential in confirming Major
Depressive Disorder?
A. Presence of at least one manic episode
B. Symptoms lasting at least one week
C. Depressed mood or loss of interest accompanied by functional
impairment
D. Presence of psychotic features only
,Rationale: Major Depressive Disorder requires at least one core symptom
(depressed mood or anhedonia) along with additional symptoms causing
significant distress or impairment over a minimum of two weeks.
2. During a therapy session, a client describes recurring intrusive
thoughts and repetitive behaviors performed to reduce anxiety. Which
diagnosis is most consistent with these symptoms?
A. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
B. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
C. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
D. Panic Disorder
Rationale: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is characterized by intrusive
thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) aimed at
reducing anxiety.
3. A social worker uses cognitive restructuring to challenge a client’s
irrational beliefs. This intervention is primarily associated with which
therapeutic approach?
A. Psychodynamic therapy
B. Humanistic therapy
C. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
D. Gestalt therapy
,Rationale: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on identifying and
modifying distorted thinking patterns to influence emotions and behaviors.
4. A client reports experiencing flashbacks, nightmares, and
hypervigilance following a traumatic event. Which diagnosis is most
appropriate?
A. Acute Stress Disorder
B. Adjustment Disorder
C. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
D. Dissociative Identity Disorder
Rationale: PTSD involves prolonged symptoms such as re-experiencing,
avoidance, and hyperarousal lasting more than one month after trauma
exposure.
5. Which ethical principle requires social workers to respect clients’
rights to make their own decisions?
A. Beneficence
B. Nonmaleficence
C. Justice
D. Autonomy
Rationale: Autonomy emphasizes the client’s right to self-determination
and informed decision-making.
, 6. A clinician suspects a client is experiencing auditory hallucinations and
delusions of persecution. These symptoms are most indicative of
which disorder?
A. Bipolar II Disorder
B. Major Depressive Disorder
C. Schizophrenia
D. Borderline Personality Disorder
Rationale: Schizophrenia involves psychotic symptoms such as
hallucinations and delusions that impair functioning.
7. A social worker is required to break confidentiality when:
A. A client shares past illegal activity
B. A client expresses dissatisfaction with therapy
C. A client poses imminent risk to self or others
D. A client refuses treatment
Rationale: Duty to warn and protect requires breaching confidentiality
when there is an immediate threat of harm.
8. A client demonstrates unstable relationships, impulsivity, and fear of
abandonment. Which diagnosis is most consistent?
A. Narcissistic Personality Disorder
B. Antisocial Personality Disorder
