Act. Engage. Inspire.

The Time Is Right For Social Work. Join NASW Today at SocialWorkers.org/join

When you reflect on your career, was there a mentor or colleague whose experiences and insight gave you a fresh look at a challenging situation, or inspired you to achieve more professionally? Do you want to pass on the knowledge that you've acquired throughout your career? Maybe you want to further your professional legacy by volunteering or stepping into a leadership role? Or maybe you just want to stay connected to colleagues and social work in your retirement years.

Through NASW membership, you can do all of the above, and even more.



Stay Connected. Expand Your Professional Influence


MyNASW Member Community

Stay Connected With Peers


NASW’s MyNASW online member community is a welcomed way for retired and late-career social workers to stay connected to the profession and colleagues and to help the next generation of social workers. Share your professional insights, help problem-solve, post resources and articles that helped you in your career, be a resource for newer social workers, and bring experienced points of view to discussions. 

Chapter Membership

During retirement, you may find you now have more time to get involved in advocacy efforts for the social work profession and vulnerable populations. Consider participating in state-level advocacy led by the NASW chapter in your state. NASW membership includes membership in the national association and in your state's NASW chapter. Learn about challenges facing social workers in your state, volunteer, serve in leadership roles, be a welcomed resource for newer social workers, attend chapter events, and more.

Specialty Practice Sections

NASW’s Specialty Practice Sections (SPS) help keep social workers current on developments, educational opportunities, and practice resources in their specialty practice areas. Take live and on-demand SPS CE webinars for free. SPS members also can participate in their corresponding MyNASW subcommunity, at no extra charge:

  • Children, Youth, and Schools, which is exclusively for members of the School Social Work; Child Welfare; and Children, Adolescents & Young Adults Specialty Practice Sections.
  • Clinical Social Work, Aging, and Health, which is exclusively for members of the Aging; Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs; Health; Mental Health; and Private Practice Specialty Practice Sections.
  • Social Justice, Administration, and Courts, which is exclusively for members of the Administration/Supervision, Social and Economic Justice & Peace, and Social Work and the Courts Specialty Practice Sections.

Section membership costs about the same as just one CE course per year, in addition to your NASW membership.



Lifelong Learning

Lifelong Learning

NASW membership offers many ways after retirement to continue your learning and understanding of current social work challenges. 

NASW Journals

Social Work is the premiere journal of the social work profession and the official journal of NASW. Social Work is dedicated to improving practice and advancing knowledge in social work and social welfare. NASW membership incudes a digital subscription with access to the full journal archive, which goes back to 1956. NASW's specialty journals, available at reduced subscription rates for NASW members, provide articles on innovations in practice, interdisciplinary efforts, research, program evaluation, policy, and planning.

Social Work Advocates Magazine

NASW’s award-winning magazine, Social Work Advocates, carries in-depth feature articles about social work trends and issues. NASW membership includes an e-subscription to our magazine. Visit the Social Work Advocates archives to catch up on issues you missed prior to joining as an NASW member.

NASW Research Library

Explore more than 25 international databases with thousands of documents from leading research institutions, think tanks, and advocacy groups. The NASW Research Library, a members-only research tool, gives you access to databases that include ERIC, SocINDEX, and PubMed. You'll also find resources from government agencies such as NIH, HHS, and DOJ. Stay current on critical thinking and evidence-based research. Search articles by author, title, topic, or publication.

Continuing Education Discounts

Take free and discounted CE courses as an NASW member at the Social Work Online CE Institute. Search your practice area for relevant courses.


Dedicated Support

Ethics and Legal Consultations

NASW members facing job-related ethical dilemmas and social work-related legal issues can talk privately with NASW ethics and legal staff. These free, highly valued services are for NASW members only.

Practice and Policy Experts at National Level

When you join NASW, you help ensure that there are dedicated practice and policy experts at the national level who advocate for your practice area and for the populations and communities served by your practice area. This work cannot be done without the support of our dues-paying members, and we thank you!

Questions?

Please contact NASW Member Services at membership@socialworkers.org or 800.742.4089
Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. ET.

Join NASW today!



Membership Types & Annual Dues

Learn about our significantly reduced dues for Retired members.

Retired: $74/year
MSW/DSW/PhD: $236/year

BSW: $158/year

See all membership types & dues.

Dues Flexibility

If the current crisis has affected your ability to pay membership dues, NASW wants to help. Contact Member Services right away at membership@socialworkers.org or 800.742.4089 M-F, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. ET. We want you to be our member.


Professional Identity


NASW Social Work Pioneers®

The NASW Social Work Pioneers® program honors members of the social work profession who have contributed to the evolution and enrichment of the profession. The Pioneer Program identifies and recognizes individuals whose unique dedication, commitment, and determination have improved social and human conditions.

2021 Blueprint of Federal Social Policy Priorities

NASW's Blueprint of Federal Social Policy Priorities, a roadmap for social progress, reflects social work’s best thinking on the pathway to a more just and equitable society. NASW will work with the Biden-Harris administration and Congress to act on the 21 social justice and workforce issue areas. See how these recommendations affect your practice or organization.


Popular Podcast Episodes


COVID-19 Advocacy

NASW is advocating for social workers and the people they serve throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Learn about our COVID-19 Advocacy