Continuing personal professional development

NASW views professional development as an essential activity for ensuring quality social work services. Professional development is a self-directed process, which requires social workers to assume responsibility for the growth of their own professional knowledge base. Regardless of career stage, social workers are ethically required to keep informed of current research, theory, and techniques that guide social work practice to better serve clients and constituents.

NASW is committed to helping social workers meet their professional development needs. This strong dedication has led to the creation of multiple professional development programs and products such as credentials, education and training courses, newsletters, employment information, resources, and publications.

NASW members receive both free CEs and CEs at discounted rates to fill their licensing or credentialing requirements when they participate in our professional development programs.

NASW Professional Development services for the Professional Education and Training Program and the Credentialing Center are participating programs with the Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA).

Social work practice consists of the professional application of social work values, principles, and techniques to one or more of the following ends: helping people obtain tangible services; counseling and psychotherapy with individuals, families, and groups; helping communities or groups provide or improve social and health services; and participating in legislative processes. The practice of social work requires knowledge of human development and behavior; of social and economic, and cultural institutions; and of the interaction of all these factors.

NASW’s Credentialing Center establishes and promotes NASW Professional Credentials (member only), Advanced Practice Specialty Credentials (open to all qualified candidates), and the Continuing Education Portal required for excellence in the practice of social work.

A professional credential is a voluntary process for the dedicated careerist seeking differentiation from the usual or the average. Because most credentials include the word “certified, ” many times you will see the terms intermingled. A certificate is given for the successful completion of training. A credential is earned through the transfer of that learning; The credentialing process seeks to capture the incorporation of specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities as applied to the practice area.

The Continuing Education Portal is a searchable database of NASW approved state and national CE programs that give you the information, skills, training, continuing education contact hours, and networking opportunities you need for professional and personal development.