Key Concepts
The NASW Code of Ethics has six core values: service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence
The ACA Code of Ethics covers the counseling relationship, confidentiality, professional responsibility, relationships with other professionals, evaluation and assessment, supervision, research, and distance counseling
Duty to warn/protect (Tarasoff principle) overrides confidentiality when a client poses a serious and imminent threat to an identifiable person
Dual relationships are not automatically unethical but must be managed carefully to avoid harm to the client
Informed consent must be obtained before treatment begins and should cover the nature of services, risks, benefits, alternatives, fees, and confidentiality limits
Mandated reporting of child abuse, elder abuse, and vulnerable adult abuse is required by law and overrides confidentiality
Ethical decision-making models provide a structured approach to resolving ethical dilemmas when competing values or obligations conflict
Why This Matters for the Exam
Ethics questions appear on every licensing exam and are among the most frequently tested topics. The ASWB exams (both Masters and Clinical) dedicate a significant portion of questions to ethical practice. The NCE tests knowledge of the ACA Code of Ethics. Exam questions often present ethical dilemmas and ask you to identify the most ethical course of action. Know the hierarchy of ethical obligations: law, ethics codes, agency policies.
Study Tips
Read the complete code of ethics for your profession (NASW for social work, ACA for counseling) at least once. Focus on the sections covering confidentiality, dual relationships, informed consent, and duty to warn. Practice with scenario-based questions that present ethical dilemmas. Remember that on the exam, the "best" answer usually aligns with client safety first, followed by legal obligations, then ethical code requirements, and finally agency policies.