Membership Types

NASW offers membership categories for every stage of your career, with corresponding annual dues. In exchange for dues, NASW Members benefit from a wide array of resources that enhance professional growth and keep members connected. From training and continuing education to credentials, ethics, and legal advice, NASW provides career-enhancing tools and information.

The more you use your membership, the more you benefit!

Regular Membership

Regular membership is open to anyone who has completed a BSW, MSW, DSW, or Ph.D. in social work from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited or CSWE-recognized* social work degree program; or a Ph.D./DSW in social work or social welfare. Annual dues are based on the highest completed social work degree.

MSW, DSW and PhD Membership annual dues: $236
BSW Membership annual dues: $158

*Social workers who studied internationally and earned a degree recognized by CSWE's International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service are eligible for regular membership.

Learn about joining NASW with an international degree or address.

Student Membership

Social work student membership is open to anyone currently enrolled in a CSWE-accredited social work degree program, or a program eligible for candidacy. Eligibility for the BSW and/or MSW student membership category is limited to four years for each degree over the lifetime of membership (does not need to be continuous).

Doctoral student membership is for those enrolled in a social work or social welfare program. NASW student members may apply for discounted professional liability insurance for student field placement.

BSW and MSW Student Membership annual dues: $60
Doctoral Student Membership annual dues: $179

Learn more about student membership

Associate Student Membership

Associate student membership is open to any applicant who is currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program in a field other than social work, or a program not accredited by CSWE, and who does not hold a social work degree.

Associate Student Membership annual dues: $60

Associate Student members are not eligible for a transitional member rate, may not vote in NASW elections, and may not hold national or chapter elective office. Associate Student members may convert to Social Work Student members on entering a CSWE accredited program, or may become Associate members of NASW.

Transitional Membership

BSW and MSW student members who maintain continuous membership after graduation qualify for a transitional period with discounted membership dues. Eligible NASW transitional members may apply for discounted professional liability insurance for the first two years of professional practice.

BSW students are eligible for two years of transitional membership, with annual dues of $116
MSW students are eligible for three years of transitional membership, with dues of $116 in years one and two, and dues of $179 in year three

Associate Membership

Associate membership is open to anyone who has a professional interest in, or is supportive of, the issues addressed by, or the client populations served by, the social work profession, and who does not hold a social work degree.

Associate Membership annual dues: $236

Associate members may not hold national or chapter elective offices. After five years of continuous membership, associate members are granted the right to vote in national or chapter elections.