✅ Reviewed for accuracy and relevance by Deanna Cooper Gillingham, RN, CCM, FCM on July 24, 2025.
Case managers are held to the standards related to their license (e.g., social worker or registered nurse) and the Case Management Society of America’s Standards of Practice for Case Management.
CMSA Standards of Practice for Case Management
CMSA’s Standards of Practice for Case Management are the professional standards every case manager must uphold; it is essential that case managers understand and adhere to these standards. They establish the ethical, legal, and professional responsibilities of case managers across all practice settings.
CMSA’s standards define the qualifications, roles, and responsibilities of case managers and set expectations for ethical practice, professional conduct, and the case management process. They also detail the philosophy, guiding principles, and scope of case management.
Case managers should review the entire document to ensure compliance with the industry standards. The complete CMSA Standards of Practice for Case Management can be accessed at https://cmsa.org/sop.
National Association of Social Workers Standards for Case Management
In addition to CMSA’s Standards of Practice for Case Management, social worker case managers must adhere to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Standards for Social Work Case Management. These standards establish professional guidelines for practice, research, and advocacy for social work case management.
The NASW Standards for Social Work Case Management cover definitions and guiding principles, social work case manager qualifications, ethics and values, leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration, advocacy, service delivery, documentation, professional development, and competence.
Find the complete standards on the NASW website at https://www.socialworkers.org/Practice/NASW-Practice-Standards-Guidelines/NASW-Standards-for-Social-Work-Case-Management
American Nurses Association Scope and Standards of Practice
In addition to CMSA’s Standards of Practice, nurse case managers must maintain the American Nurses Association (ANA) standards of practice and the Nurse Practice Acts for all states where they hold a license. ANA’s standards apply to all registered nurses in the United States, regardless of their setting, specialty, role, or population served, informing and guiding them in providing safe, quality, and competent care. At the time of this publication, the ANA’s “Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice” document was last updated in May 2021 with the release of their fourth edition.
Find the complete standards on the ANA website at https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/scope-of-practice/
