Ethical Codes Quick Reference for Licensing Exams
This cheat sheet covers the key ethical principles, confidentiality rules, and boundary guidelines from the ACA, NASW, and NBCC codes of ethics. Ethics questions appear on every counseling and social work licensing exam.
Core Ethical Principles Comparison
| Principle | ACA | NASW | NBCC |
|---|
| Beneficence | Promote client welfare | Importance of human relationships | Promote client welfare |
| Nonmaleficence | Do no harm | Do no harm (implied) | Do no harm |
| Autonomy | Respect client self-determination | Self-determination is core value | Respect client autonomy |
| Justice | Fairness and equity | Social justice is core value | Treat all clients fairly |
| Fidelity | Honor commitments | Trustworthiness (implied) | Honor commitments |
| Veracity | Be truthful | Integrity is core value | Be honest |
Confidentiality and Its Exceptions
| Exception | Description | Key Details |
|---|
| Duty to Warn/Protect | Client poses imminent danger to identifiable third party | Tarasoff v. Regents (1976); varies by state; may require warning victim, notifying police, or both |
| Mandatory Reporting | Suspected child abuse/neglect, elder abuse | All states require reporting suspected child abuse; most require elder abuse reporting; report to CPS or APS |
| Suicidal Client | Client at imminent risk of self-harm | May break confidentiality to protect client; document risk assessment and actions taken |
| Court Order | Valid court order (not just a subpoena) | A subpoena alone does not require disclosure; consult with attorney; disclose minimum necessary |
| Client Consent | Client provides written authorization | Must specify what information, to whom, and for how long; client can revoke at any time |
| Minor Clients | Parents/guardians have some access rights | Varies by jurisdiction; older minors may have some confidentiality protections |
Dual Relationships and Boundaries
| Situation | Rule | Code Reference |
|---|
| Sexual contact with current client | Always prohibited | ACA A.5.a, NASW 1.09(a), NBCC |
| Sexual contact with former client | Prohibited for minimum 2 years (ACA) or 5 years (some jurisdictions); must demonstrate no exploitation | ACA A.5.b |
| Non-sexual dual relationships | Avoid when possible; when unavoidable, minimize harm and document | ACA A.6, NASW 1.06 |
| Social media contact | Establish clear policies; avoid virtual relationships that could blur boundaries | ACA H.6 |
| Bartering | Generally discouraged; may be acceptable if culturally appropriate and not exploitative | ACA A.10.e |
| Gift giving/receiving | Consider cultural context, monetary value, therapeutic relationship, and client motivation | ACA A.10.f |
Informed Consent Checklist
- Nature and purpose of counseling/treatment
- Counselor's qualifications, credentials, and theoretical orientation
- Expected duration and frequency of sessions
- Potential risks and benefits of treatment
- Alternative treatments or approaches
- Confidentiality and its limits (duty to warn, mandatory reporting, etc.)
- Fees, billing practices, and insurance information
- Cancellation and no-show policies
- Client's right to refuse or withdraw from treatment at any time
- Emergency contact procedures
- Supervision arrangements (if applicable)
- Electronic communication policies
Ethical Decision-Making Steps
- Identify the ethical issue and relevant code sections
- Review applicable laws and regulations
- Seek consultation from colleagues, supervisors, or ethics boards
- Consider the client's rights, welfare, and cultural context
- Evaluate all possible courses of action and potential consequences
- Select the course of action that best serves the client
- Implement the chosen action
- Document the decision-making process thoroughly
Exam Tips for Ethics Questions
- When in doubt, choose the answer that prioritizes client welfare
- Consultation is almost always a correct step (seek supervision or peer consultation)
- Gather more information before acting when the situation is ambiguous
- Respect client self-determination unless safety is at risk
- Know the difference between a subpoena (can be challenged) and a court order (must comply)
- Cultural considerations may modify standard ethical guidelines
- Document everything