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Ethics and the ASWB Exam: 5.01 Integrity of the Profession

Ethics and the ASWB Exam: 5.01 Integrity of the Profession

Preparing for the ASWB exam can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to the ethics section. Ethics questions tend to be layered, detailed, and designed to test whether you can apply professional values in real-world scenarios. One of the most critical areas to focus on is 5.01 Integrity of the Profession, because it shapes how Social Workers uphold honesty, accountability, and the credibility of the entire field.

Integrity of the Profession is more than a rule to memorize. It represents the Social Worker’s responsibility to act in ways that strengthen the public’s trust in the profession. This includes being truthful about credentials, addressing unethical conduct, and maintaining professional behavior inside and outside of formal practice. When Social Workers fall short in this area, the entire profession can suffer, which is why exam writers love to include questions about it.

For anyone studying, the challenge is figuring out how to turn a principle from the Code of Ethics into a clear, confident choice on a multiple-choice exam. That’s where resources like Agents of Change become invaluable. By combining structured study plans, practice questions, and interactive study groups, they make this complex material manageable and help ensure you are fully prepared when test day arrives.

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 5.01 Integrity of the Profession?

To truly understand 5.01 Integrity of the Profession, it helps to start with the exact wording of the NASW Code of Ethics. This section establishes the expectations that Social Workers must follow to protect the credibility, trust, and dignity of the profession.

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NASW Code of Ethics, Section 5.01 Integrity of the Profession:

(a) Social workers should work toward the maintenance and promotion of high standards of practice.
(b) Social workers should uphold and advance the values, ethics, knowledge, and mission of the profession. Social workers should protect, enhance, and improve the integrity of the profession through appropriate study and research, active discussion, and responsible criticism of the profession.
(c) Social workers should contribute time and professional expertise to activities that promote respect for the value, integrity, and competence of the social work profession. These activities may include teaching, research, consultation, service, legislative testimony, presentations in the community, and participation in professional organizations.
(d) Social workers should contribute to the knowledge base of social work and share with colleagues their knowledge related to practice, research, and ethics. Social workers should seek to contribute to the profession’s literature and to share their knowledge at professional meetings and conferences.
(e) Social workers should act to prevent the unauthorized and unqualified practice of social work.

Breaking Down Each Portion

(a) Maintenance and Promotion of High Standards
This part reminds Social Workers that professional integrity begins with everyday practice. It means delivering competent, ethical, and evidence-based services that reflect positively on the field. When Social Workers cut corners, fail to stay current with best practices, or neglect professional obligations, the standards of practice decline.

(b) Upholding and Advancing Values and Ethics
Integrity is more than personal honesty. It requires actively strengthening the profession by engaging in dialogue, research, and even constructive criticism. Social Workers aren’t passive observers. They are participants who ensure the values of social justice, dignity, and service remain at the forefront.

(c) Contributing Time and Expertise
Professional integrity doesn’t stop at individual practice. It also involves stepping into roles that enhance the reputation of Social Work as a whole. Teaching students, offering testimony for legislation, or joining professional organizations are all ways to elevate the profession’s presence and credibility in society.

(d) Expanding the Knowledge Base
Knowledge-sharing is another cornerstone of professional integrity. When Social Workers write articles, present at conferences, or contribute to practice literature, they strengthen the field’s ability to adapt and grow. This commitment ensures that Social Work evolves in response to new challenges and evidence.

(e) Preventing Unauthorized Practice
Finally, integrity requires guarding the profession against misuse. If unqualified individuals present themselves as Social Workers, the public is at risk. By taking steps to prevent unauthorized practice, licensed Social Workers protect clients from harm and uphold the credibility of the profession.

This section of the Code of Ethics makes clear that integrity is active, not passive. It calls Social Workers to maintain excellence, speak up for what is right, share their expertise, and protect the field from dilution. For the ASWB exam, that means recognizing when a scenario highlights the need to preserve professional integrity through accountability, advocacy, and action.

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 5.01 Integrity of the Profession Matters on the ASWB Exam

Ethical principles are more than just guidelines; they’re the backbone of how Social Workers make decisions in complex, real-world situations. On the ASWB exam, ethics questions aren’t random; they’re designed to measure whether you truly understand the responsibilities that come with the profession.

a therapist having a serious and important conversation with another therapist colleague in a warm office environment with casual dress.

Among these, 5.01 Integrity of the Profession shows up repeatedly because it cuts to the heart of Social Work’s credibility and accountability.

It Reflects the Core Identity of Social Work

The exam wants to ensure you can recognize when the reputation of the profession is on the line. Every decision a Social Worker makes reflects on the field as a whole. Questions may test whether you can:

  • Identify behaviors that harm the profession’s credibility (lying about credentials, ignoring misconduct).

  • Recognize ways to strengthen the profession (teaching, mentoring, contributing to research).

  • Distinguish between personal preferences and professional obligations.

If you can’t connect actions to the bigger picture of protecting integrity, you’ll risk picking the wrong answer.

It Highlights How Social Workers Should Respond to Ethical Concerns

One of the trickiest areas on the ASWB exam is deciding what to do when another professional violates ethical standards. Integrity of the Profession pushes you to act—not in a reactive or punitive way, but in a thoughtful, constructive manner. On the exam, this often means:

  • Starting with the least punitive option (like talking directly to a colleague before escalating).

  • Considering both the impact on clients and the reputation of the profession.

  • Knowing when a situation requires reporting to higher authorities, such as a licensing board.

The exam writers love scenarios that ask, “What should the Social Worker do first?” Integrity-focused questions often reward responses that balance accountability with professionalism.

It Connects to Other Ethical Principles

While 5.01 is distinct, it doesn’t exist in isolation. On the exam, you may see it woven into broader ethical dilemmas. For example:

  • A question about maintaining competence also touches on integrity, since outdated knowledge harms the profession.

  • A question about whistleblowing on unethical colleagues directly ties to protecting professional reputation.

  • A question about public advocacy demonstrates how promoting Social Work values maintains professional integrity.

Being able to see these connections helps you avoid tunnel vision on test day.

It Helps You Eliminate Wrong Answer Choices

Sometimes, success on the ASWB exam isn’t about immediately spotting the correct answer; it’s about knowing what to rule out. When you understand Integrity of the Profession, you can easily cross off options that:

  • Ignore misconduct or suggest inaction.

  • Place personal convenience above professional responsibility.

  • Undermine public trust in Social Work.

This strategy can make the difference when two answer choices feel similar.

Quick Takeaways

Here’s what to remember about 5.01 when preparing for the exam:

  • Integrity of the Profession = protecting credibility, honesty, and trust.

  • On the exam, choose answers that show action, accountability, and professionalism.

  • Start with constructive steps before moving toward punitive measures.

  • Remember that ethical decisions always reflect on the entire field of Social Work.

3) ASWB Practice Question: 5.01 Integrity of the Profession

A Social Worker attends a community event where another Social Worker is introduced as a “licensed clinical specialist,” but the Social Worker knows that this colleague has not completed the necessary licensure requirements for that title. What should the Social Worker do first?

A. Publicly correct the introduction to ensure the audience isn’t misled.
B. Ignore the situation because it is unlikely to directly harm clients.
C. Speak privately with the colleague to address the misrepresentation.
D. Report the colleague immediately to the state licensing board.

Correct Answer: C. Speak privately with the colleague to address the misrepresentation.

Rationale

The principle of 5.01 Integrity of the Profession requires Social Workers to protect the credibility of the field while responding thoughtfully to ethical challenges. Misrepresenting credentials undermines trust, but the exam often emphasizes starting with the least punitive, most constructive option. Speaking privately with the colleague honors professional respect and gives them the chance to correct their error.

Escalating directly to public correction or reporting skips intermediate steps, and ignoring the situation violates the responsibility to protect professional integrity. If the colleague fails to correct the behavior, then reporting would become necessary.

4) FAQs – Code of Ethics: 5.01 Integrity of the Profession

Q: Why is “5.01 Integrity of the Profession” considered such a critical part of the NASW Code of Ethics?

A: Integrity of the Profession is vital because it ensures that Social Workers protect the reputation and credibility of the entire field. When practitioners act dishonestly, misrepresent credentials, or ignore misconduct, they damage public trust not just in themselves but in Social Work as a whole.

The Code calls on Social Workers to uphold honesty, address unethical behavior, contribute to the profession’s growth, and prevent unauthorized practice. In short, 5.01 exists to safeguard both clients and the long-term standing of Social Work in society.

Q: How often does “Integrity of the Profession” appear on the ASWB exam?

A: While you won’t find a section labeled “5.01” on the test, questions about professional integrity are scattered throughout the exam. They can appear in direct ethics questions, in vignettes about colleagues misrepresenting themselves, or in scenarios testing whether you recognize when the profession’s reputation is at stake.

Because ethics make up a significant portion of the exam, understanding Integrity of the Profession gives you an edge. It not only prepares you for specific questions but also strengthens your ability to eliminate wrong answer choices across multiple domains.

Q: What’s the best way to study for 5.01 Integrity of the Profession?

A: Memorizing the text of 5.01 is a start, but the ASWB exam is more about application. The best approach is to practice with scenarios where you must decide how to act when professional integrity is threatened. Ask yourself: Does this option protect the credibility of Social Work? Does it balance accountability with respect? Am I starting with the least punitive step?

Resources like Agents of Change make this easier by offering practice exams, flashcards, live study groups, and detailed study plans. With their “access until you pass” model, you can build confidence over time without worrying about deadlines.

5) Conclusion

The standard of 5.01 Integrity of the Profession is more than just a rule on paper. It is the ethical backbone that ensures Social Workers protect the reputation of their field, act with honesty, and model accountability in every setting. For the ASWB exam, this principle shows up in both direct and subtle ways, making it one of the most important areas to understand before test day.

By recognizing how to apply this standard, Social Workers demonstrate their commitment to safeguarding public trust while guiding the profession forward. Whether it means addressing a colleague’s misrepresentation, contributing to the knowledge base, or preventing unauthorized practice, integrity is always about honoring the values that define Social Work. On the exam, the correct answers often align with the idea of taking thoughtful, constructive steps that preserve credibility and professionalism.

► 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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