Ethics and the ASWB Exam: 2.05 Consultation

1) What Is Section 2.05 Consultation?

Section 2.05 of the NASW Code of Ethics outlines a Social Worker’s ethical responsibilities when seeking or offering professional consultation. While the term “consultation” may seem straightforward, the ethical standards tied to it are quite nuanced.

This section underscores the importance of informed decision-making, client confidentiality, and professional competence. Let’s take a look at the full text and then break it down piece by piece.

Full Text of Section 2.05 Consultation (NASW Code of Ethics)

2.05 Consultation

(a) Social Workers should seek the advice and counsel of colleagues whenever such consultation is in the best interests of clients.
(b) Social Workers should keep themselves informed about colleagues’ areas of expertise and competencies. Social Workers should seek consultation only from individuals who have demonstrated knowledge, expertise, and competence related to the subject of the consultation.
(c) When consulting with colleagues about clients, Social Workers should disclose the least amount of information necessary to achieve the purposes of the consultation.

Breaking Down Each Part of 2.05

(a) Seek Consultation in the Best Interest of Clients

This first part emphasizes the why behind consultation. Social Workers aren’t expected to have all the answers. When a situation falls outside your experience or presents unique challenges, seeking the insight of trusted colleagues is not just allowed—it’s ethically encouraged. However, the key here is motive: it must be done with the client’s best interest at heart, not just to ease your own discomfort or avoid responsibility.

This clause also implies a proactive responsibility. You shouldn’t wait until a problem becomes unmanageable. If a case starts to raise flags, that’s your cue to consider whether a second perspective could help protect the client and improve outcomes.

(b) Know Who to Ask and Why

Ethical consultation requires more than just finding someone willing to talk. You must ensure that the person you’re seeking guidance from actually has the proper background, skills, and knowledge to contribute meaningfully. This part of the standard requires social workers to be mindful of their colleagues’ areas of expertise and to be intentional when choosing whom to approach for help.

It also serves as a warning. Consulting with someone who lacks relevant experience or who might give biased or unqualified advice can do more harm than good. Social Workers must choose wisely, prioritizing competence and relevance over convenience or familiarity.

(c) Maintain Client Confidentiality

Just because you’re consulting doesn’t mean you’re free to share every detail of a client’s story. This part of Section 2.05 reminds Social Workers that confidentiality still applies, even in peer discussions. When seeking consultation, share only what is necessary to receive the help you need. This may involve omitting names, locations, or other identifying details unless disclosure is necessary and justifiable.

This standard also aligns with broader principles in the NASW Code, where client privacy is treated as a fundamental right. Ethical consultation protects clients not just in practice, but in conversation too.

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2) Why Understanding Consultation Matters on the ASWB Exam

Grasping the ethical nuances of consultation isn’t just a box to check. It’s a recurring theme that runs throughout the entire ASWB exam. Ethics questions are often scenario-based, designed to test your judgment more than your memory.

Section 2.05 Consultation is evident in these questions in subtle yet meaningful ways. If you don’t understand how and when consultation should happen, it’s easy to pick the wrong response and miss points on ethics questions.

Below, let’s explore why this topic is essential and how it’s likely to show up on the exam.

1. Consultation Is Tied to Client Protection

At its core, the ASWB exam is testing your ability to protect the client. Ethics questions are built around the idea that your decisions affect client welfare directly. Section 2.05 is all about knowing when your own judgment isn’t enough and doing something about it.

You may need to consider consultation when:

A client presents with symptoms outside your area of training
You’re navigating complex legal or cultural concerns
You’re unsure about dual relationships or boundary issues
A situation is emotionally charged and could cloud your judgment

If a question hints that a Social Worker is uncertain, and client safety or ethical boundaries are at risk, choosing to consult is often the right answer.

2. The Exam Expects You to Know When to Ask for Help

It’s not a flaw to seek consultation. It’s part of being competent. The ASWB exam rewards you for recognizing your limits and taking appropriate steps. You’re not expected to be an expert in everything. But you are expected to know when to pause and seek guidance from someone who is.

The exam may test your ability to:

Distinguish between a situation that calls for supervision versus consultation
Choose an appropriate consultant based on the subject matter
Prioritize client interest over pride or personal uncertainty

Many questions aren’t labeled “consultation” in obvious terms. You’ll need to pick up on cues that the Social Worker is overwhelmed, outside their scope, or stuck in ethical gray areas.

3. Confidentiality Still Applies During Consultation

Another reason Section 2.05 is critical? Confidentiality doesn’t disappear when you’re seeking advice. Many exam questions challenge you to balance seeking help with protecting your client’s identity and private information.

Key principles you’ll need to remember:

Share the least amount of information necessary during consultation
Avoid disclosing identifying details unless absolutely needed
Ensure the consultant is qualified and ethical
Consider client consent when appropriate (especially in sensitive cases)

Sometimes, answer choices will offer a “consult and disclose all details” option. That might seem thorough, but it’s a trap. The exam favors discretion.

4. It Shows Ethical Maturity and Decision-Making

Consultation isn’t just about what you do. It reflects how you think. The ASWB exam evaluates your ethical reasoning skills, and using consultation appropriately shows that you’re thoughtful, cautious, and client-centered.

In complex scenarios, you may face answer choices that all seem reasonable. Knowing Section 2.05 helps you eliminate rash decisions and focus on those grounded in best practice.

5. Consultation May Be the “Best First Step” in Ethics Questions

Some exam questions are structured to ask what the Social Worker should do first. Consultation is often the safest and most ethically aligned answer when you’re unsure about the problem, don’t have enough information, or need additional perspective.

Consultation is often the best first step when:

A case involves conflicting ethical principles
You suspect another professional of unethical behavior
You’re navigating unfamiliar cultural norms
The Social Worker’s personal values are interfering with service delivery

Recognizing when to act and when to consult before acting can make the difference between a correct and incorrect answer. Understanding Section 2.05 Consultation isn’t just important. It’s practical, actionable, and can directly impact your score on the ASWB exam.

It also reinforces a mindset you’ll carry into your career: that asking for help, when done thoughtfully and ethically, is a sign of strength and professionalism. Keep this principle in mind during your studies, and you’ll not only be exam-ready. You’ll be practice-ready.

3) ASWB Practice Question: Consultation

A Social Worker in a hospital setting is working with a client who has been recently diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder. The Social Worker is unfamiliar with the long-term psychosocial impact of this condition and is unsure how to best support the client’s treatment planning and family education. What should the Social Worker do FIRST?

A. Refer the client to a neurology support group for long-term care planning
B. Consult with a colleague who specializes in medical Social Work or chronic illness
C. Research peer-reviewed articles on the neurological disorder
D. Continue to work with the client while gathering information as needs arise

Correct Answer: B. Consult with a colleague who specializes in medical Social Work or chronic illness

Rationale:

B is correct because it aligns with Section 2.05(a) of the NASW Code of Ethics, which states that Social Workers should seek the advice and counsel of colleagues whenever such consultation is in the best interests of clients. In this scenario, the Social Worker lacks the specialized knowledge needed to offer informed support. Consulting with a qualified colleague ensures the client receives the best care possible, and it demonstrates ethical responsibility and professional humility.

Why the other answers are incorrect:

A. While support groups can be helpful, referring the client without first understanding the full psychosocial implications may be premature. The Social Worker must first ensure they have enough information to guide the client appropriately.
C. Independent research is useful, but it should complement consultation, not replace it. Direct guidance from an experienced colleague will be more immediately applicable and tailored to client care.
D. Continuing without consultation or sufficient knowledge may place the client at risk and reflects poor ethical judgment. Acting without competence contradicts the expectations of Section 1.04 and 2.05.

4) FAQs – Code of Ethics: 2.05 Consultation

Q: How do I know when consultation is appropriate versus supervision or referral?

A: Consultation is appropriate when you need advice, clarity, or professional input from a knowledgeable peer or colleague about a situation you’re handling. It’s often used when the issue falls within your general scope, but you need support in understanding or addressing it properly. Supervision, on the other hand, typically involves a formal, ongoing relationship, often tied to licensure or employment, focused on developing skills and ensuring ethical practice. Referral is different entirely; it’s used when the client’s needs are outside your competence or role, and they would benefit from another service provider.

For the ASWB exam, look for clues in the scenario. If the Social Worker is competent overall but uncertain about a specific issue or is navigating ethical complexity, consultation is usually the most ethical first step. If they’re unqualified to continue or the issue exceeds their scope, referral may be required.

Q: Do I need to get client consent before seeking consultation?

A: Generally, no; formal client consent is not required for consultation as long as identifying information is protected. Section 2.05(c) of the NASW Code of Ethics emphasizes that Social Workers should disclose only the minimum amount of information necessary during consultation. That means names, locations, or any personal identifiers should be omitted unless absolutely essential to the purpose of the consultation.

That said, in sensitive or high-risk situations, especially those involving minors, protected populations, or legal implications, it may be appropriate to inform the client about the nature of the consultation. If in doubt, and if time allows, erring on the side of transparency while still protecting confidentiality is always a good ethical instinct.

Q: Will the ASWB exam explicitly say “consultation” in the questions?

A: Not usually. The ASWB exam is designed to test your ethical thinking, not just your ability to recall vocabulary. Questions involving consultation are often disguised within clinical or ethical scenarios. You’ll need to read between the lines and look for signs that the Social Worker is uncertain, outside their expertise, or facing a situation that might benefit from a second professional opinion.

To choose the correct answer, ask yourself: Is the Social Worker struggling to understand an issue? Are they facing unfamiliar legal, cultural, or clinical dynamics? Is client safety or ethical practice at stake? If the answer is yes, consultation is often the most ethical and test-friendly response, especially if the question asks what the Social Worker should do first.

5) Conclusion

Understanding Section 2.05 Consultation of the NASW Code of Ethics is more than just a study task; it’s a reflection of how Social Workers uphold professional integrity in practice. Whether you’re preparing for your licensure exam or stepping into a complex case in the real world, knowing when and how to seek consultation shows that you value thoughtful, ethical decision-making. It’s a principle grounded in humility and responsibility, two values that sit at the heart of the Social Work profession.

On the ASWB exam, questions that pertain to consultation may not always be clearly stated. They’ll be woven into ethical dilemmas, clinical uncertainty, and nuanced decision-making moments. Recognizing when a situation calls for consultation, protecting client confidentiality while doing so, and choosing the right person to consult with are all essential skills you’ll need to apply. These aren’t just test strategies; they’re habits of strong, ethical practitioners.

► Learn more about the Agents of Change course here: https://agentsofchangeprep.com

About the Instructor, Dr. Meagan Mitchell: Meagan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been providing individualized and group test prep for the ASWB for over 10 years. From all of this experience helping others pass their exams, she created the Agents of Change course to help you prepare for and pass the ASWB exam!

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Disclaimer: This content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or clinical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Ethics and the ASWB Exam: 2.05 Consultation

Ethics and the ASWB Exam: 2.05 Consultation

1) What Is Section 2.05 Consultation?