APHSW-C® – Advanced Palliative Hospice Social Worker - Certified
About APHSW-C Exam
The Advanced Palliative Hospice Social Worker – Certified (APHSW-C®) credential, awarded by the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC), certifies social workers specializing in hospice and palliative care. It validates advanced knowledge and clinical judgment in providing psychosocial support to patients and families facing serious illness, including assessment, intervention, grief and bereavement care, and ethical practice. Earning the APHSW-C credential demonstrates verified expertise in palliative and hospice social work and a commitment to high-quality, patient- and family-centered care.
APHSW-C Exam Content & Focus Areas
- Number of Questions: The APHSW-C exam comprises 150 multiple-choice questions, of which 135 are scored, and 15 are unscored pretest questions.
- Exam Response Options: Each question offers four response options (A, B, C, D).
- Testing Options: The exam is administered at designated testing centers, or via Live Remote Proctoring.
- Time Allotted: Candidates have 3 hours to complete the exam.
|
Content Category
|
Percentage
|
|---|---|
|
Assessment and Reevaluation
|
18.5%
|
|
Planning and Intervention
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37%
|
|
Death, Grief, and Bereavement
|
20.7%
|
|
Professionalism
|
23.7%
|
APHSW-C Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Advanced Palliative Hospice Social Worker – Certified (APHSW-C) exam, candidates must hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program or an equivalent international program and meet the required post-degree hospice or palliative social work experience criteria. Applicants must have completed supervised clinical practice within the designated timeframe, three years for BSW-prepared social workers or two years for MSW-prepared social workers, within the last five years. Candidates are also expected to adhere to the NASW Code of Ethics and maintain active state licensure in good standing when licensure is required.
How to Apply for the APHSW-C Exam?
To apply for the Advanced Palliative Hospice Social Worker – Certified (APHSW-C) exam, follow these steps:
- Online Application: Submit your application through the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC) online application system.
- Application Submission: Complete the application by providing your personal and professional information, including your social work education, licensure status if applicable, and verification of required hospice or palliative social work experience.
- Scheduling the Exam: Once your application is approved, you will receive instructions to schedule your exam at an authorized testing center or through live remote proctoring, allowing flexibility in how and where you test.
- Preparation: Use targeted study resources such as the APHSW-C Question Bank, which is aligned with the APHSW-C exam blueprint and reflects the scope and difficulty of the actual exam. The question bank covers all major exam domains and is regularly updated to remain consistent with current hospice and palliative social work standards.
What is the Pass Rate of APSHW-C?
The pass rate for APHSW-C is around 70%, according to historical data.
Preparation and Resources
Our questions are developed based on authoritative hospice and palliative social work references, providing candidates with thorough preparation grounded in reliable, professional resources
- Topics on Exam:
The APHSW-C exam blueprint assesses key knowledge and skills across domains such as assessment and reevaluation, planning and intervention, death, grief, and bereavement, and professionalism. Understanding these areas is essential for success.
- Review Course:
Candidates may benefit from additional review courses offered by professional organizations or hospice and palliative care educational programs to strengthen foundational knowledge in exam content. - Question Bank:
A comprehensive resource like APHSW-C Question Bank is highly recommended. This question bank aligns with the APHSW-C exam blueprint and is reviewed by experienced hospice and palliative social work professionals to ensure accuracy and relevance. Each question includes detailed rationales, and four predictor exams are provided to help candidates evaluate their readiness and confidence for exam day.
APHSW-C Exam Practice Questions
Practicing sample questions is a crucial part of APHSW-C exam preparation, helping you become familiar with the exam format, question style, and key content areas. APHSW-C Question Bank offers high-quality, exam-focused sample questions that align with the APHSW-C exam blueprint, ensuring you are well-prepared and confident on test day.
Access Sample Questions: Find sample questions from question bank APHSW-C Practice Questions. These questions are crafted to reflect the level of application and difficulty found on the APHSW-C exam.
Practice these questions in the interactive quiz software here for an engaging study experience, which will provide feedback at the end of the practice test. Practice questions APHSW-C Practice Questions.
Prices
$257 - Question Bank
Comprehensive -
APHSW-C®
7 - Day money back guarantee
- 700+ blueprint aligned practice questions (QBank)
- 300+ retention focused flashcards
- Unlimited access for 6 months
- Risk-free trial - Cancel within 7 days for a full refund for any reason
- Detailed analytics highlighting strengths and weaknesses
- 4 timed predictor exams
- Personalized Study Planner curated to your unique study needs
- Pass Guarantee
Unlimited access for 6 months for $257
$187 - Question Bank
Essentials Plan -
APHSW-C®
7 - Day money back guarantee
- 700+ blueprint aligned practice questions (QBank)
- 300+ retention focused flashcards
- Unlimited access for 3 months
- Risk-free trial - Cancel within 7 days for a full refund for any reason
- Detailed analytics highlighting strengths and weaknesses
- 4 timed predictor exams
- Personalized Study Planner curated to your unique study needs
- Does NOT include Pass Guarantee
Unlimited access for 3 months for $187
$97 - Question Bank
Starter Plan -
APHSW-C®
7 - Day money back guarantee
- 700+ blueprint aligned practice questions (QBank)
- 300+ retention focused flashcards
- Unlimited access for 1 month
- Risk-free trial - Cancel within 7 days for a full refund for any reason
- Does NOT include detailed analytics highlighting strengths and weaknesses
- Does NOT include 4 timed predictor exams
- Does NOT include personalized Study Planner curated to your unique study needs
- Does NOT include Pass Guarantee
Unlimited access for 1 month for $97
FAQs on APHSW-C Certification
A: The APHSW-C certification validates the expertise of social workers who provide care in hospice and palliative settings, ensuring high standards in psychosocial assessment, care coordination, grief and bereavement support, and ethical practice.
A: Yes, the APHSW-C exam can be taken via live remote proctoring, allowing candidates the flexibility to complete the exam from home or another suitable location.
A: The APHSW-C candidate handbook is available through the HPCC website and provides complete information on eligibility, application procedures, exam content, and recertification.
A: The APHSW-C exam is offered year-round (March, June, September, December) through authorized testing centers or live remote proctoring, allowing candidates flexibility in scheduling.
A: The main HPCC website (advancingexpertcare.org) provides access to all certification information, including candidate handbooks, application forms, and exam resources.
A: HPCC also offers the following certifications:
- CHPLN: Certified Hospice and Palliative Licensed Nurse
- CHPNA: Certified Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant
- CHPPN: Certified Hospice and Palliative Pediatric Nurse
CHPN: Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse
ACHPN: Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse
A: The APHSW-C certification must be renewed every four years.
A: The pass rates vary yearly but average at around 70%, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive preparation.
A: The APHSW-C candidate handbook is available through the HPCC website and provides complete information on eligibility, application procedures, exam content, and recertification.