Founded in 1987, ABE is a national certification board created by and for the profession of Clinical Social Work. ABE issues the BCD and other advanced certifications.
ABE’s main purposes are to set standards for the advanced general practice of Clinical Social Work, to issue advanced certifications based on uniform criteria for competent practice, and to educate the public about the value of these certifications and the services of those who hold them. ABE maintains an Online BCD Directory for the use of the public and referral-makers.
ABE conducts outreach to the public, government, and healthcare systems on behalf of its certificants. This includes exhibiting at healthcare conferences; educating service-users; distributing information products and services; interacting with professional and regulatory associations; and intervening with entities and systems that discriminate against board-certified Clinical Social Workers.
