If a social worker claims a license as a clinical social worker without proper credentials, this violates which section of the NASW Code of Ethics?

The claim of a license as a clinical social worker without possessing the proper credentials is primarily a violation of the principle of competence as outlined in the NASW Code of Ethics. Competence emphasizes the importance of social workers providing services only within the boundaries of their training, experience, education, and licensure. It mandates that practitioners engage in practice that is based on established knowledge in their field and maintain professional proficiency through ongoing education and supervision.

Claiming a license that one does not hold shows a lack of adherence to these standards, as it undermines public trust in the profession and can potentially put clients at risk by delivering services from someone unqualified. This violation could lead to serious legal and ethical consequences for the practitioner and could impact the integrity of the social work profession as a whole.

While concepts such as self-determination, respect, and private conduct are important aspects of social work ethics, they do not specifically address the issue of misrepresentation regarding qualifications or licensure, which is the crux of this scenario.