BOARD CERTIFIED IN CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK
(BCD) – PRACTICE EXAM Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2025 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. A clinical social worker is beginning treatment with a client
presenting with chronic depression and relational conflict. What is
the FIRST therapeutic task?
A. Develop behavioral activation tasks
B. Begin cognitive restructuring
C. Establish a therapeutic alliance
D. Assign a mood-tracking journal
Answer: C
The therapeutic alliance is foundational and must be established
before interventions can be effective.
2. A client refuses to sign a release of information but wants the
social worker to coordinate care with a psychiatrist. What should
the social worker do?
A. Share only non-identifying information
B. Refuse contact without consent
C. Contact the psychiatrist and share minimal information
D. Ask the psychiatrist to share information instead
Answer: B
Client-initiated coordination still requires written consent; without it,
the social worker cannot share information.
,3. A mandated client reports no intention of complying with
treatment. The best initial approach is:
A. Confront resistance
B. Explore the client’s perspective on the mandate
C. Report noncompliance immediately
D. Teach motivation skills
Answer: B
Exploring meaning and context reduces resistance and supports
motivational engagement.
4. A client describes suicidal ideation without intent or plan. What
is the MOST appropriate next step?
A. Hospitalization
B. Create a safety plan
C. Notify family members
D. Increase session frequency immediately
Answer: B
A collaborative safety plan is appropriate when risk is present but low
and without imminent danger.
5. Which theory emphasizes automatic thoughts and cognitive
distortions?
A. Psychodynamic theory
B. Cognitive behavioral theory
C. Systems theory
D. Humanistic theory
Answer: B
CBT focuses on how cognitions influence emotions and behavior.
,6. A social worker needs to select an outcome measure for
treatment progress. The MOST important factor is:
A. Cost
B. Length
C. Reliability and validity
D. Provider preference
Answer: C
Psychometric quality ensures accurate and consistent measurement.
7. A social worker suspects a colleague is practicing impaired. The
FIRST action should be:
A. Report directly to the licensing board
B. Confront the colleague respectfully
C. Notify the supervisor
D. Document concerns and take no action
Answer: C
Ethical guidelines require reporting concerns through appropriate
internal channels before external reporting.
8. A client with PTSD dissociates in session. What should the social
worker do FIRST?
A. Begin trauma processing
B. Grounding techniques
C. Explore childhood trauma history
D. Continue discussing triggers
Answer: B
Grounding restores present-moment stability, a prerequisite for
trauma work.
, 9. Which diagnosis is MOST associated with emotional
dysregulation and unstable identity?
A. Major depressive disorder
B. Borderline personality disorder
C. Generalized anxiety disorder
D. Schizoaffective disorder
Answer: B
Borderline personality disorder features affective instability and
identity disturbance.
10. A client demands that the social worker not record any notes.
What is the correct response?
A. Agree to protect confidentiality
B. Decline and document refusal
C. Inform the client that documentation is legally required
D. Ask the supervisor for permission
Answer: C
Clinicians must document treatment; this cannot be waived by client
request.
11. A client grieving a spouse’s death says, “Why bother living?” but
denies suicidal intent. The MOST appropriate intervention is:
A. Crisis hospitalization
B. Normalize grief responses
C. Refer to psychiatrist for medication
D. Conduct a full suicide risk assessment
Answer: D
A full assessment is required when ambiguous statements about life
or death emerge.
(BCD) – PRACTICE EXAM Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2025 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. A clinical social worker is beginning treatment with a client
presenting with chronic depression and relational conflict. What is
the FIRST therapeutic task?
A. Develop behavioral activation tasks
B. Begin cognitive restructuring
C. Establish a therapeutic alliance
D. Assign a mood-tracking journal
Answer: C
The therapeutic alliance is foundational and must be established
before interventions can be effective.
2. A client refuses to sign a release of information but wants the
social worker to coordinate care with a psychiatrist. What should
the social worker do?
A. Share only non-identifying information
B. Refuse contact without consent
C. Contact the psychiatrist and share minimal information
D. Ask the psychiatrist to share information instead
Answer: B
Client-initiated coordination still requires written consent; without it,
the social worker cannot share information.
,3. A mandated client reports no intention of complying with
treatment. The best initial approach is:
A. Confront resistance
B. Explore the client’s perspective on the mandate
C. Report noncompliance immediately
D. Teach motivation skills
Answer: B
Exploring meaning and context reduces resistance and supports
motivational engagement.
4. A client describes suicidal ideation without intent or plan. What
is the MOST appropriate next step?
A. Hospitalization
B. Create a safety plan
C. Notify family members
D. Increase session frequency immediately
Answer: B
A collaborative safety plan is appropriate when risk is present but low
and without imminent danger.
5. Which theory emphasizes automatic thoughts and cognitive
distortions?
A. Psychodynamic theory
B. Cognitive behavioral theory
C. Systems theory
D. Humanistic theory
Answer: B
CBT focuses on how cognitions influence emotions and behavior.
,6. A social worker needs to select an outcome measure for
treatment progress. The MOST important factor is:
A. Cost
B. Length
C. Reliability and validity
D. Provider preference
Answer: C
Psychometric quality ensures accurate and consistent measurement.
7. A social worker suspects a colleague is practicing impaired. The
FIRST action should be:
A. Report directly to the licensing board
B. Confront the colleague respectfully
C. Notify the supervisor
D. Document concerns and take no action
Answer: C
Ethical guidelines require reporting concerns through appropriate
internal channels before external reporting.
8. A client with PTSD dissociates in session. What should the social
worker do FIRST?
A. Begin trauma processing
B. Grounding techniques
C. Explore childhood trauma history
D. Continue discussing triggers
Answer: B
Grounding restores present-moment stability, a prerequisite for
trauma work.
, 9. Which diagnosis is MOST associated with emotional
dysregulation and unstable identity?
A. Major depressive disorder
B. Borderline personality disorder
C. Generalized anxiety disorder
D. Schizoaffective disorder
Answer: B
Borderline personality disorder features affective instability and
identity disturbance.
10. A client demands that the social worker not record any notes.
What is the correct response?
A. Agree to protect confidentiality
B. Decline and document refusal
C. Inform the client that documentation is legally required
D. Ask the supervisor for permission
Answer: C
Clinicians must document treatment; this cannot be waived by client
request.
11. A client grieving a spouse’s death says, “Why bother living?” but
denies suicidal intent. The MOST appropriate intervention is:
A. Crisis hospitalization
B. Normalize grief responses
C. Refer to psychiatrist for medication
D. Conduct a full suicide risk assessment
Answer: D
A full assessment is required when ambiguous statements about life
or death emerge.
