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Ethics and the ASWB Exam: 2.10 Unethical Conduct of Colleagues

Ethics and the ASWB Exam: 2.10 Unethical Conduct of Colleagues

When preparing for the ASWB exam, it is impossible to ignore the central role of ethics. Among the many sections of the NASW Code of Ethics, 2.10 Unethical Conduct of Colleagues often stands out. This section speaks to a Social Worker’s responsibility when they become aware of a colleague’s unethical behavior. Whether it involves reporting misconduct or offering appropriate support to address the issue, understanding this principle is critical for both exam success and professional integrity.

For future Social Workers, the topic can feel uncomfortable. After all, confronting or reporting a colleague is rarely simple. However, the ASWB exam tests more than just knowledge; it measures a candidate’s ability to apply ethical reasoning in practical scenarios. By mastering this section, you will be equipped not only to answer exam questions accurately but also to act with confidence in real-world practice where ethical dilemmas often appear without warning.

Fortunately, you do not have to prepare alone. With tools like Agents of Change, you can access comprehensive study materials, live study groups, flashcards, and structured study plans that keep you organized from day one. You even maintain access until you pass your exam, which means you can start early without worry. As you strengthen your grasp of the NASW Code of Ethics and the responsibilities it outlines, you will build the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed on the exam and in your future career as a Social Worker.

Learn more about the ASWB exam and create a personalized ASWB study plan with Agents of Change. We’ve helped tens of thousands of Social Workers pass their ASWB exams and want to help you be next!

1) What Is Section 2.10 Unethical Conduct of Colleagues?

a social worker talking with another social worker about observed unethical behavior. It should be a little tense of an environment and serious.

Below is the full text of the NASW Code of Ethics Section 2.10, followed by a clear breakdown of each part:

2.10 Unethical Conduct of Colleagues
(a) Social workers should take adequate measures to discourage, prevent, expose, and correct the unethical conduct of colleagues, including unethical conduct using technology.
(b) Social workers should be knowledgeable about established policies and procedures for handling concerns about colleagues’ unethical behavior. Social workers should be familiar with national, state, and local procedures for handling ethics complaints. These include policies and procedures created by NASW, licensing and regulatory bodies, employers, agencies, and other professional organizations.
(c) Social workers who believe that a colleague has acted unethically should seek resolution by discussing their concerns with the colleague when feasible and when such discussion is likely to be productive.
(d) When necessary, social workers who believe that a colleague has acted unethically should take action through appropriate formal channels (such as contacting a state licensing board or regulatory body, the NASW National Ethics Committee, or other professional ethics committees).
(e) Social workers should defend and assist colleagues who are unjustly charged with unethical conduct.

Breakdown of Section 2.10

(a) Encourage, prevent, expose, and correct unethical conduct

This clause instructs Social Workers to actively intervene when they observe unethical behavior, ranging from confidentiality breaches to digital misconduct. That includes behavior facilitated by technology, such as improper social media posting or electronic record tampering. You’re expected to act proactively to discourage wrongdoing, prevent issues before they escalate, reveal unethical acts, and correct or stop them.

(b) Know the policies and procedures

Here, Social Workers must be well‑informed about the proper channels for reporting, including NASW protocols, licensing board mechanisms, employer or agency grievance procedures, and local or state ethics systems. Being familiar with these procedures helps you act responsibly and within the frameworks that protect clients and professionals.

(c) Address concerns directly when appropriate

This part emphasizes resolving ethical concerns through direct conversation with the colleague, provided it’s safe, feasible, and likely to be effective. It supports professional courtesy and encourages resolution before escalation. This step helps preserve teamwork, trust, and collegial relationships.

(d) Use formal channels when needed

If speaking directly isn’t effective or appropriate, you move on to formal reporting. That might mean filing a complaint with the state licensing board, notifying the NASW National Ethics Committee, or another official ethics body. This ensures accountability when lower‑level interventions fail.

(e) Support colleagues if they’re unfairly accused

This final clause reminds Social Workers that ethical practice includes fairness. If you see a colleague facing unjust allegations, you should defend and assist them. The ethics code expects that professionals will support peers who are wrongfully accused or misjudged.

This structure is vital in understanding 2.10 Unethical Conduct of Colleagues because each clause may show up in exam scenarios. Knowing the exact wording helps you answer accurately, and the breakdown enables you to apply each requirement in realistic ethical dilemmas.

Agents of Change packages include 30+ ASWB topics, 2 free study groups per month, and hundreds of practice questions so you’ll be ready for test day!

2) Why Understanding 2.10 Unethical Conduct of Colleagues Matters on the ASWB Exam

The ASWB exam is designed to test your ability to apply the NASW Code of Ethics in complex, real-world scenarios. Section 2.10, “Unethical Conduct of Colleagues,” is one of those areas where knowing the text alone is not enough. You must also understand how to interpret it under exam conditions.

a social worker talking with another diverse social worker about observed unethical behavior. It should be a little tense of an environment and serious.

Ethical Application in Exam Questions

The ASWB exam often includes questions that require you to decide how to respond when you suspect a colleague of unethical behavior. These questions test whether you know the correct order of action and the reasoning behind each step.

Key considerations include:

  • When to act informally: Knowing when a conversation with a colleague is appropriate before escalating the issue.

  • When to report formally: Recognizing scenarios where direct conversation would be inappropriate or unsafe.

  • Following proper procedures: Understanding the importance of regulatory bodies and professional organizations in handling ethics complaints.

If you misunderstand this sequence, you may choose an answer that looks right but does not align with professional expectations.

Real-World Relevance Beyond the Exam

Even though you are preparing for a test, Section 2.10 is much more than an academic concept. In real Social Work practice, you will encounter situations that demand a clear and ethical response.

Consider the following:

  • Client protection: Mishandling a colleague’s unethical conduct could leave a client at risk.

  • Professional accountability: Acting correctly reinforces public trust in Social Work.

  • Workplace dynamics: Addressing unethical behavior properly can improve the professional environment and prevent systemic issues.

When you approach the ASWB exam with this practical understanding, you’re preparing yourself not just to pass, but to succeed as a Social Worker.

How This Section Appears on the Exam

Section 2.10 typically shows up in questions that ask you to:

  • Identify the most appropriate first step in addressing unethical conduct.

  • Decide whether a direct conversation or a formal report is the best course of action.

  • Apply the correct reporting procedures when safety or effectiveness is in question.

  • Recognize when to support a colleague who has been unjustly accused.

Questions are rarely about memorization; they’re about judgment. That’s why practicing with realistic scenarios is essential.

Why Agents of Change Is a Key Resource

Studying this section effectively requires more than just reading the Code of Ethics. Agents of Change offers resources that transform this knowledge into exam-ready skills:

  • Comprehensive materials explaining ethics in context

  • Practice exams that mirror the ASWB format

  • Two live study groups every month to discuss challenging topics

  • Flashcards to reinforce key concepts

  • Detailed study plans that keep you on track from day one

  • Unlimited access until you pass, so there’s no risk of starting early

With these tools, you can approach 2.10 Unethical Conduct of Colleagues with the confidence that you fully understand it, and can apply it under exam pressure.

3) ASWB Practice Question: Unethical Conduct of Colleagues

A Social Worker learns that a colleague in the agency has been posting confidential client details in a private online forum. The Social Worker is concerned that this behavior violates professional ethics. What is the Social Worker’s BEST initial action?

A) Report the colleague immediately to the state licensing board
B) Confront the colleague directly to discuss the concern if it seems safe and appropriate
C) Submit a formal complaint to the NASW National Ethics Committee
D) Notify the agency director without speaking to the colleague first

Correct Answer: B) Confront the colleague directly to discuss the concern if it seems safe and appropriate

Rationale:

Section 2.10(c) of the NASW Code of Ethics instructs Social Workers to seek resolution by discussing concerns with a colleague when feasible and likely to be productive. This means that before escalating the situation to formal reporting, you should attempt a professional conversation, as long as it does not place you or your clients at risk.

  • Why not A or C? Formal reporting to the licensing board or NASW is appropriate only if informal resolution fails, is inappropriate, or would endanger others. Jumping to this step skips the ethical requirement of attempting a reasonable first approach.

  • Why not D? Notifying a supervisor without trying to resolve the matter with the colleague first ignores the Code’s guidance about direct resolution when possible. Supervisory involvement becomes appropriate if informal discussion fails or the situation is unsafe.

  • Why B is correct: This option reflects the correct ethical sequence, showing that you understand both the NASW Code and how it is applied on the ASWB exam.

4) FAQs – Code of Ethics: 2.10 Unethical Conduct of Colleagues

Q: How often does 2.10 Unethical Conduct of Colleagues appear on the ASWB exam?

A: This topic comes up regularly because it reflects a fundamental aspect of ethical decision-making in Social Work. While there’s no exact percentage, you should expect to see at least one or two questions related to addressing unethical behavior among colleagues. These questions test your ability to apply the NASW Code of Ethics in a step-by-step way, focusing on what action comes first and why.

Q: What is the biggest mistake Social Workers make when answering questions about 2.10 on the ASWB exam?

A: One of the most common mistakes is skipping straight to formal reporting. Many test-takers choose to involve a licensing board or supervisor immediately. The NASW Code of Ethics is clear: you should first attempt an informal resolution by discussing your concerns with the colleague, if it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Only when that step fails, or when informal resolution would be unsafe or ineffective, should you move to formal reporting. Understanding this sequence is critical for answering questions correctly. Agents of Change offers detailed study plans and explanations that reinforce this step-by-step thinking so you’re ready for these tricky scenarios.

Q: How can I effectively study Section 2.10 without feeling overwhelmed?

A: The best way to study this section is to combine reading the Code of Ethics with active practice. Here’s how:

  • Break down the language of Section 2.10 into manageable parts.

  • Practice exam-style questions to see how the section is applied.

  • Review rationales for correct and incorrect answers so you understand the reasoning behind each choice.

  • Join live study groups where you can hear how others approach the same questions.

  • Use a structured study plan to keep yourself on track.

5) Conclusion

Understanding 2.10 Unethical Conduct of Colleagues is more than a requirement for passing the exam. It is a cornerstone of responsible Social Work practice. When you know how to address unethical behavior among colleagues, you not only protect clients but also strengthen the integrity of the profession as a whole. This knowledge gives you the confidence to approach challenging situations with clarity and purpose.

Preparing for this topic does not have to feel overwhelming. By studying the NASW Code of Ethics, practicing realistic questions, and learning the correct order of ethical actions, you can move from memorization to mastery.

Tools like Agents of Change provide everything you need to stay organized and supported. Their comprehensive materials, live study groups, and unlimited access until you pass ensure you have the resources to succeed without the stress of running out of time.

► 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!

Find more from Agents of Change here:

► Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/aswbtestprep

► Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/agents-of-change-sw

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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.

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