- NASW Office of Ethics and Professional Review Links
- NASW WebEd
- Order from NASW Press
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.
Fact Sheet
How to properly file a Request for Professional Review (RPR).
- 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, you want to download and review the following:
- NASW Procedures for Professional Review Revised, Fourth 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.
- Contact your local NASW State Chapter to request a Consultant to assist you in preparation of your RPR. Remember, the Consultant’s role is to provide technical assistance during the professional review process. The Consultant cannot advocate on the Complainant’s or Respondent’s  behalf.
- Complete the Request for Professional Review Form (RPR)-Ethics form 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 applicable NASW’s Code of Ethics 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,” “How to File An RPR,” and Chapter 4 of the Procedures; “Criteria for Acceptance.” When citing specific standards, please refer to the NASW Code of Ethics. Remember, a Consultant is also available to provide assistance.
- Complete the NASW Professional Review – Confidentiality Pledge Statement of Understanding form in its entirety located on pages sixty-four (64) and sixty-five (65) of the Procedures. 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
Once the RPR is received, the OEPR at NASW National Office will acknowledge it within ten days and send a copy of the RPR, supporting statement, and signed Confidentiality Pledge to the other party (Respondent) whom the RPR is filed against. The named Respondent will have 14 days to respond to the RPR. The professional review process will proceed whether the Respondent chooses to respond to the RPR or not. Thereafter, the Intake Subcommittee of the NEC (National Ethics Committee) will review the RPR in order to determine
if the criteria for acceptance have been met. All participants will be notified in writing of the NEC Intake Subcommittee’s decision to accept or reject the RPR. All decisions and any correspondence from the OEPR will be mailed via certified mail.
If the RPR is accepted for review, the NEC Intake Subcommittee will determine whether the matter will be referred to mediation or adjudication. If the RPR is referred to mediation, a Mediator (or co-Mediators) will be appointed to guide the process. The Mediator will contact the Complainant and the Respondent to explain mediation process and to set up a mediation session. If the RPR is referred to adjudication, a representative of the chapter in which the alleged misconduct occurred will contact the Complainant and the Respondent with further details regarding the hearing.
Additional questions about the professional review process can be directed to the OEPR at 202.336.8256.