• NASW Office of Ethics and Professional Review Links
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    (Code of Ethics, Spanish language version)
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• NASW WebEd
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• Order from NASW Press
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    You can order bulk orders of the NASW Code of Ethics  from NASW Press.
  • 
    Code of Ethics, Spanish language version Codigo de Etica  from NASW Press.

How to Properly File a Request for Professional Review (RPR).

1. Download and review the Procedures for Professional Review

• Visit the Office of Ethics & Professional Review (OEPR) homepage at NASW’s national website at http://socialworkers.org/pubs/code/default.asp.

At that site, please download and review the following:

• NASW Procedures for Professional Review Revised, Fifith Edition (PDF file) – on left hand side green shaded area.
• NASW’s Code of Ethics (across from the Procedures to the right) click on the link that reads either, “English” or “Spanish.” Once the site redirects you to your preferred version of the Code, please note in the small black box above the subtitle that reads, “Printable version.” Click that link to print the Code.

2. Request a Consultant

• It is highly recommended that you contact your local NASW State Chapter to request a Consultant to assist you in preparation of your RPR.  The Consultant’s role is to provide guidance and technical assistance throughout the professional review process. However, a Consultant cannot advocate on the Complainant’s or Respondent’s behalf.  A consultant is not required in order to file a complaint.

3. Complete the Request for Professional Review Form (RPR)-Ethics form

• The RPR form is located on page sixty (60) of the Procedures.  Complete the form in its entirety.
  • Please note at the top of the form that a 3-page maximum statement of issue is to accompany the RPR.
  • That statement must cite the specific standards of the NASW’s Code of Ethics were allegedly violated.
  • It must include a list of and a detailed description of materials to be used that will support the allegations. It must include a list of intended sources of evidence, and (if applicable) it must include the status of any legal action underway related to the matter.
  • Unless in accordance with the Procedures, please do not submit any additional documentation.
  • For guidance, please refer to Chapter 1 of the Procedure; “Who May File an RPR,” and “How to File an RPR,” and Chapter 4 of the Procedures; “Criteria for Acceptance.”
• Complete the NASW Professional Review – Confidentiality Pledge Statement of Understanding form located on pages sixty-four (64) and sixty-five (65) of the Procedures , in its entirety. This form is a requirement for an RPR to be considered.
• Once all the necessary forms are complete, please submit your RPR packet to the following address:

National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
Office of Ethics and Professional Review
750 First Street, NE Suite 700
Washington, D.C. 20002-4241
Attn: NEC Intake Subcommittee

• The named Respondent will have 14 days to respond to the RPR.  Please note whether the Respondent chooses to respond to the RPR or not, the professional review process will proceed.

4. The Intake Subcommittee of the National Ethics Committee (NEC) will review the RPR in order to determine if the criteria for acceptance have been met. 

5. If the RPR is accepted for review, The NEC Intake Subcommittee will determine whether the matter will be referred to mediation or adjudication.

• Mediation: a collaborative problem-solving process in which a neutral third party guides a discussion intended to aid the parties in the dispute define the issues, obtain relevant information, and generate reasonable options for resolution.  Mediation is a conflict resolution process that is valued both as an element of social work practice and as a way to resolve grievances related to violations of ethics.  Because mediation is a conflict resolution process in which the participants themselves decide on the outcome, NASW does not determine whether specific violations of the NASW Code of Ethics have or have not occurred
• Adjudication: the process of determining whether a professional action is in violation of the NASW Code of Ethics.  When a RPR is referred for adjudication, a hearing is held to determine if the social worker’s action was indeed a violation of the Code.  A report of the Hearing Panel’s conclusions is issued, and any appropriate recommendations are made.

6. Additional questions about the professional review process can be directed to the OEPR at 202.336.8256.