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Ethics and the ASWB Exam: 1.13 Payment for Services

Ethics and the ASWB Exam: 1.13 Payment for Services

When preparing for the ASWB exam, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of content, from diagnostic criteria to cultural competency and everything in between. But one area that often trips people up, even those with years of Social Work experience, is ethics. Specifically, Section 1.13: Payment for Services in the NASW Code of Ethics is a topic that demands a thoughtful understanding. It’s not just about setting fees or billing procedures; it’s about the ethical relationship between the Social Worker and client, particularly when money enters the equation.

Section 1.13 touches on some of the most sensitive aspects of Social Work practice. How should you handle a client who suddenly can’t afford to pay? What’s your obligation to offer pro bono work or adjust your rates? These aren’t just hypothetical questions. They show up on the ASWB exam and often require you to weigh professional obligations against real-world dilemmas. The ability to respond ethically in these scenarios is critical, both for the test and for your future practice.

In this post, we’ll unpack the ethical principles behind Section 1.13, explore what the ASWB exam might ask about it, and give you tools to answer confidently. Let’s get into it.

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 1.13 Payment for Services?

a client paying a therapist for services.

To fully understand how this section applies to both the ASWB exam and everyday Social Work practice, it’s essential to examine the exact language used in the NASW Code of Ethics. Here is the full text of Section 1.13: Payment for Services:

1.13 Payment for Services

(a) When setting fees, Social Workers should ensure that the fees are fair, reasonable, and commensurate with the services performed. Consideration should be given to the client’s ability to pay.

(b) Social Workers should avoid accepting goods or services from clients as payment for professional services. Bartering arrangements, particularly involving services, create the potential for conflicts of interest, exploitation, and inappropriate boundaries in Social Workers’ relationships with clients. Social Workers should explore and may participate in bartering only in very limited circumstances when it can be demonstrated that such arrangements are an accepted practice among professionals in the local community, considered to be essential for the provision of services, negotiated without coercion, and entered into at the client’s initiative and with the client’s informed consent. Social Workers who accept goods or services from clients as payment for professional services assume the full burden of demonstrating that this arrangement will not be detrimental to the client or the professional relationship.

(c) Social Workers should not solicit a private fee or other remuneration for providing services to clients who are entitled to such available services through the Social Workers’ employer or agency.

Let’s break that down into more digestible parts:

(a) Fees Should Be Fair and Consider the Client’s Ability to Pay

This portion highlights two key principles: fairness and accessibility. Social Workers must set fees that reflect the actual value of the service, not more, not less, and must take into account a client’s financial situation. This means considering options such as sliding scales or offering services at reduced or no cost if the client cannot afford to pay. The goal is to prevent financial exploitation and promote equitable access to care.

(b) Avoid Bartering Unless Absolutely Necessary and Ethical

Bartering, exchanging goods or services instead of money, may seem like a flexible solution, but it opens the door to ethical risks. It can blur professional boundaries and create power imbalances. The code makes it clear that bartering should only happen in limited cases.

These include situations where bartering is culturally accepted in the local community and where the arrangement is initiated by the client, not the Social Worker. If bartering is used, the Social Worker holds full responsibility for proving that the agreement is ethical, voluntary, and free of coercion.

(c) No Double Billing or Private Fees for Covered Services

Social Workers must never charge clients privately for services they are already eligible to receive through an agency or employer. Doing so is seen as unethical because it takes advantage of the client’s lack of knowledge about their rights or available benefits. This protects clients from being billed twice for services and ensures that Social Workers do not abuse their professional position for financial gain.

Understanding the intention behind each part of Section 1.13 is crucial for both the ASWB exam and real-world practice. The focus is always on equity, transparency, and minimizing harm — values that sit at the very heart of ethical Social Work.

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 Payment for Services Matters on the ASWB Exam

When preparing for the ASWB exam, especially the Clinical or Masters level, ethical practice is a core domain that shows up again and again. Within this category, Section 1.13: Payment for Services might seem straightforward at first glance. However, the truth is that it often appears in complex, layered scenarios that require critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and a thorough understanding of what the NASW Code expects from Social Workers.

Understanding how to apply this section under pressure can be the difference between a right and wrong answer on test day. Let’s take a closer look at why this topic matters so much and how you can prepare with confidence.

Recognizing Ethical Dilemmas Around Money

Ethical concerns around payment may not always be obvious. In many exam questions, they’re wrapped in realistic client situations that test your ability to pick up on red flags.

You may be asked to identify when:

  • A fee is inappropriately high or exploitative

  • A bartering arrangement crosses ethical boundaries

  • A Social Worker fails to inform a client of alternative affordable services

  • A private fee is solicited where services are already covered by an agency

You’ll need to move beyond simply memorizing the code. The ASWB is looking for your ability to apply it in practice. That means understanding the values behind each clause, not just the wording.

Common Scenarios That Show Up on the Exam

Here are a few examples of how Section 1.13: Payment for Services might appear in test questions:

  • Scenario-Based Questions: A client loses their job and can’t pay. What’s the best response?

  • Ethical Violations: A Social Worker charges for a service already covered by Medicaid. Is that okay?

  • Boundary Issues: A client offers their services (like house painting) in exchange for therapy. What should the Social Worker do?

Each of these questions will have answer choices that seem reasonable. Only one, however, will align most closely with both the ethical standards and core values of Social Work.

How This Topic Reflects Broader Social Work Values

Payment issues are about more than dollars and cents. They reflect deep commitments to client dignity, social justice, and professional integrity.

When you understand Section 1.13, you show that you can:

  • Respect clients’ financial limitations without compromising care

  • Maintain healthy boundaries while being responsive

  • Uphold agency standards while advocating for client access

These are the same values that shape ethical decision-making in every part of the profession, and the ASWB exam is designed to test your ability to act in accordance with them.

What to Keep in Mind While Studying

Here’s a quick list of what to focus on:

  • Know the exact language of Section 1.13

  • Practice applying it to real-world dilemmas

  • Be cautious of answer choices that involve termination without alternatives

  • Understand the risks of bartering, even if it seems like a kind gesture

  • Recognize that billing errors, even unintentional ones, can be ethical breaches

And most importantly, study in a way that emphasizes application, not just memorization.

That’s what Agents of Change offers. With realistic practice questions, live study groups, flashcards, and full-length mock exams, you’ll build both the knowledge and the judgment needed to answer these types of questions correctly. Plus, with access until you pass and structured study plans to keep you on track, you’re set up for real success.

Understanding Section 1.13: Payment for Services is about preparing to be the kind of Social Worker who puts ethics first, even in complicated or uncomfortable situations. The ASWB exam tests more than your memory; it assesses your ability to think like a professional. And with the right preparation, you will.

3) ASWB Practice Question: Payment for Services

A Social Worker in private practice has been seeing a client for several months. During a recent session, the client shares that they have experienced a financial setback and asks if they can pay for services by providing graphic design work for the Social Worker’s business website. The Social Worker is open to the idea but is unsure how to proceed. What is the BEST course of action?

A. Agree to the arrangement if the client initiates it and provides written consent.
B. Decline the offer and explain that bartering is always unethical in clinical practice.
C. Evaluate whether bartering is common in the community and ensure the arrangement won’t harm the professional relationship.
D. Refer the client to another provider to avoid any potential ethical violation.

Correct Answer:
C. Evaluate whether bartering is common in the community and ensure the arrangement won’t harm the professional relationship.

Rationale:
According to Section 1.13(b) of the NASW Code of Ethics, bartering is not strictly prohibited but is only acceptable under very limited circumstances. It must be shown to be a common and accepted practice in the community, initiated by the client, and not harmful to the therapeutic relationship. The Social Worker must ensure the arrangement is voluntary and not exploitative, and the burden of demonstrating that it’s ethical falls entirely on the Social Worker.

  • Option A is partially correct, but it overlooks important ethical considerations, such as whether bartering is customary in the local community and whether it might compromise professional boundaries.

  • Option B is too rigid. While bartering is discouraged, it is not categorically forbidden.

  • Option D may be appropriate in some cases, but it is premature here. Ethical practice requires first assessing whether the arrangement can be handled within guidelines before discontinuing services.

This question tests your ability to apply ethical standards in nuanced, real-world scenarios, exactly the kind of thinking the ASWB exam demands.

4) FAQs – Code of Ethics: 1.13 Payment for Services

Q: Can Social Workers ever legally or ethically accept bartering as payment for services?

A: Yes, but only under very limited and specific conditions. According to Section 1.13(b) of the NASW Code of Ethics, Social Workers may consider bartering if it is a culturally accepted practice within the local professional community, is initiated by the client, and does not exploit or harm the therapeutic relationship.

The Social Worker must also ensure that the client fully understands the arrangement and consents without any pressure. Ultimately, the burden of proof is on the Social Worker to show that the bartering agreement is ethical, necessary, and in the client’s best interest. Documentation and ongoing evaluation of the agreement are essential.

Q: What should a Social Worker do if a client can’t afford services but doesn’t qualify for public assistance?

A: In situations where a client is struggling financially but doesn’t meet eligibility for free or subsidized services, Social Workers should explore alternative payment structures. These might include offering a sliding fee scale, providing services at a reduced rate, or helping the client find low-cost or pro bono support elsewhere.

Section 1.13(a) encourages Social Workers to consider the client’s ability to pay when setting fees and to avoid any appearance of financial exploitation. The goal is to maintain access to care while respecting ethical and professional boundaries.

Q: Why is it unethical for Social Workers to charge a private fee for services already covered by an agency or employer?

A: Charging a private fee in this context violates Section 1.13(c) because it takes advantage of the client and breaches trust. If a client is already entitled to receive services through an agency, charging them separately for the same support can be seen as deceptive and exploitative. This behavior undermines the integrity of the Social Work profession and can result in disciplinary action or loss of licensure.

Social Workers are expected to act in the best interest of their clients and ensure transparency around payment. Clients must never be made to feel like they have to pay out of pocket for services they’re already entitled to receive.

5) Conclusion

Understanding Section 1.13: Payment for Services isn’t just about passing the ASWB exam; it’s about practicing Social Work with transparency, compassion, and integrity. This section of the NASW Code of Ethics reminds Social Workers to be mindful of how financial arrangements can impact the therapeutic relationship and to always prioritize clients’ well-being when setting or adjusting fees.

Whether it’s deciding when bartering is appropriate or recognizing the importance of fee transparency, this ethical guidance helps ensure equitable access to care and maintains trust between client and practitioner.

On the ASWB exam, questions around payment for services can appear deceptively simple but often require thoughtful analysis. You’ll be tested on more than your knowledge of the code; you’ll need to apply ethical reasoning to scenarios involving financial stress, service access, and boundary-setting. That’s why it’s so important to prepare with resources that reflect the true complexity of the test. The better you understand how to uphold ethical standards in practice, the more confident and capable you’ll be, both during the exam and in your professional life.

► 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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