About the APHSW-C

The APHSW Certification

Social workers are essential to the practice of hospice and palliative care. The APHSW-C certification recognizes bachelor’s and master’s level social workers with experience, specialized skills, and competency in hospice and palliative social work. The APHSW-C assures the public that certified practitioners have the knowledge and skills to provide safe, high-quality care at an advanced level. Individuals eligible for certification include experienced hospice and palliative care social workers that practice in clinical and academic settings in the United States and Canada. 

 

Holding the APHSW-C certification demonstrates to patients, their families and caregivers, employers, colleagues, and the public at large that a practitioner has met the highest standards of professional practice and has obtained objective validation of their expertise in providing advanced palliative and hospice social work services by:

 

  • Having earned a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Social Work;
  • Completing a minimum of post-degree experience in hospice and/or palliative social work determined by the degree earned;
  • Attesting to practice in accordance to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics;
  • Holding state licensure in good standing to practice, if required for employment;
  • Successfully passing a certification exam; and,
  • Committing to ongoing professional development.

 

Recertification is required every 4 years, which includes an application and 40CE credits. You do not take the exam again for recertification.

Information sheets about the certification.

The APHSW Certification This one page document lists the key discussion points of the APHSW Certification. How it was developed, eligibility requirements, veracity of the exam, employer benefits and more.

Benifits of APHSW  This one page quick resource outlines some of the benefits of the APHSW Certification. Great resource for quickly explaining the purpose of the certification!

APHSW overview: This is a good one page, quick, resource to share with your colleagues about the development and validity of the certification for the field of Hospice and Palliative Care.

Are you a member of a social work organization?

Thank you to the following social work organizations who have partnered with APHSWC to offer a discount on the the application as a member benefit!!

These members receive a 25% discount on the application!

Look for instructions on the Application Page for more details.

SWHPN logo

Social Work Hospice & Palliative Care Network

Click here for more information about SWHPN membership!

Association of Oncology Social Work

Click here for more information about AOSW membership!

Society for Social Work Leadership in Health Care

Click here for more information about SSWLHC membership!

Where are the APHSW-C Certificate Holders?

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