Welcome New Members
Welcome to the National Association of Social Workers!
You’ve just made an excellent decision by joining NASW, social work’s largest professional association. NASW understands your passion for serving others and can help you make the greatest impact wherever you work. You now are part of a community of social workers who have your back and who will help you grow and thrive in your career. Your success is our purpose.
This membership year, starting today, explore your member benefits and get involved in association communities and activities. The more members engage in the Association, the more successful we all will be.
So make a promise to yourself to participate and use your member benefits!
Top NASW Resources for Social Workers
NASW resources help social workers every day. Below is a sampling of resources members rely on to enhance their job performance and increase their leadership skills and practice knowledge. View more resources and NASW benefits.
Community and Peer Support
Chapter Membership
Your NASW membership includes membership in the National organization and in your NASW chapter, at no additional cost. Your NASW chapter is your go-to resource for what's happening in the profession locally.
Get involved in NASW activities and leadership opportunities where you live. Turn to your chapter for licensure support, such as exam preparatory courses and CEs for licensure renewal. Sign up for chapter events, where you can meet peers, network, and build professional relationships. Participate in advocacy efforts that have real impact in state legislatures.
MyNASW Member Community
From solo practice to interdisciplinary teams, from students and new professionals to veteran social workers, NASW’s MyNASW online member community is a fast way to connect with peers in your specialty who are eager to listen and help you out. MyNASW community members bring new points of view to discussions, share useful resources, and add to the knowledge base. MyNASW is also a great resource for new social workers who want to find mentors and for those who want to share their years of experience.
Specialty Practice Sections
NASW’s Specialty Practice Sections (SPS)
connect social workers with practice-related resources and free CE webinars. Focus your professional development by adding a Section to your NASW membership. SPS members 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.
Live Events
Connect with peers at live events at the national and chapter levels. Network at conferences, march with social work colleagues at advocacy rallies, join in town hall discussions and chats, attend chapter meet-ups and peer support groups, log in to National's Hour With Private Private sessions, and more.
Research to Practice
NASW membership opens doors to evidence-based research that you can use to advocate for the populations and communities you serve, shape treatment plans, and inform policy.
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
A members-only research tool, the NASW Research Library helps social workers find evidence-based research, practice guidelines, client education, assessment tools, and more, to support practice and professional development.
The NASW Research Library gives members access to more than 25 international databases with thousands of documents from leading research institutions, think tanks, and advocacy groups.
Professional Development Discounts
Social workers turn to NASW for continuing education, credentials and certifications, and licensing support. NASW members receive discounted pricing on their professional development needs.
Social Work Online CE Institute
Take free and discounted CE courses as an NASW member at the Social Work Online CE Institute. Search your practice area for relevant courses.
Credentials and Certifications
NASW credentials and certifications show you meet national levels of excellence in your discipline. NASW members save hundreds on credentials and certifications.
CE Tracker
CE Tracker is an online service that tells you exactly what you need to renew your license and tracks your progress along the way. It even suggests content to obtain the continuing education you need. NASW members receive discounted subscription rates.
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 are free services that are highly valued by our members.
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!