The proverbial social work alphabet soup can leave you feeling queasy if undigested. Here's a dollop of information to calm the autonomic nervous system. For optimum results, take in small doses.

The CSW:

This refers to "Certified Social Worker" which is a legal title granted by New York State. Certification grants title protection to the profession; one needs a graduate level degree in social work to qualify for it. NASW worked for nine years to get the CSW enacted into law in 1965.

CSW's are required to adhere to the laws of the professions and are subject to disciplinary action by the State Office of Professional Discipline. The office recognizes the NASW Code of Ethics and other social work standards as guides for appropriate conduct. Clients of CSW's are granted in law the right to have their communications treated as confidential. There are only a few instances in which exceptions are permitted. It is generally recommended that all social workers who qualify obtain this credential.

To take the CSW exam, call (518) 474-3817. The exam is now available the year in which students graduate, but it can be taken after graduation without interfering with obtaining employment. Waiting until after graduation also avoids distractions that interfere with one's regular studies.

Recommendation: Obtain the Social Work Handbook for more information on the CSW exam and related laws. Copies are free. Call (518) 474-3817. Call NASW for a copy of the Code of Ethics at (212) 577-5000.

The ACSW:

This refers to NASW's own, non-governmental, national credential and stands for "The Academy of Certified Social Workers". The CSW, by contrast, is only recognized in the State of New York. Unlike the CSW, which in addition to the exam, requires graduation from a master's level program, the ACSW requires two years of supervised experience following graduation from such a program. While obtaining the ACSW is optional, it is recognized as setting a standard for autonomous level social work practice.

Call NASW at (800) 638-8799 to obtain an information packet about the ACSW and an application form. Tests are given twice a year.

Recommendation: Social workers can wait a year following graduation from a master's program before involving themselves with the requirements for this exam. For most social workers, it usually makes sense to obtain the CSW first.

Cautionary note: In order to qualify for the ACSW, two years of supervisory experience means supervision by a master's level social worker.

The "P" and "R":

These letters stand for certified social workers who have become qualified under state law to receive insurance reimbursement for outpatient services to clients with group health insurance. The "P", enacted into law in 1977, and the "R", enacted in 1984, resulted from NASW efforts to give consumers a choice in who their mental health providers can be. Whenever group health policies which come under the regulations of the State Insurance Department recognize psychiatrists and psychologists as providers, social workers must be included.

The P requires three years of supervised clinical experience, while the R requires six years. Each initial refers to different types of insurance policies; the R relates to the larger set of policies.

For more about obtaining the P and R, call (518) 474-3326 and they will send you the Social Work Handbook which contains information and an application.

The Future:

Because of continuing social problems, social workers will play an important role in society well into the 21st century. At the same time, the certainty of change will create new challenges for the profession and each individual social worker. Managed care is influencing how people receive their health and mental health care, and state laws are being affected, including to some extent, the value of the P and R credentials. NASW is monitoring these developments and working towards state licensing, which sets higher standards, to replace certification. Watch NASW's newsletter, Currents, for information on the latest developments. For the foreseeable future, the credentials and certifications described above will remain valuable. Changes in credentialling and certification will emerge out of what currently exists.