Results from a national study of social workers sanctioned by state licensing boards

This article presents the results of a descriptive study, synthesizing the reports of 27 state regulatory boards about their actions against certified and licensed social workers (N = 874) during the period of 1999 to 2004. The purpose of this study was to examine the unprofessional behavior of certified and licensed social workers, the results of which can inform the education and training of social workers and help protect the public. The most frequent violations were dual relationships, license-related problems, problems with basic practice, crimes, and practice below specific standards of care. State regulatory boards typically sanctioned social workers with letters of reprimand, revoked certificates or licenses, imposed probation or instituted the supervision of practice, and accepted the social workers' surrender of their licenses.