This article presents a revision of the history of Social Work, with the identification of some social-historical elements, that determinate the genesis and professionalization in the Latin-American context, particularly in Colombia and Brazil. This article has a development, in a panoramic way, of a historical review of the changes and constants in the world context and in each one of the countries, in every moment of the profession, revealing meetings and contradictions in the profession, closing with some reflections about the present situation of the profession in every country.