The development of the next iteration of competence assessments for social work licensing, slated for launch in 2026, took a major step forward when the 2022–2024 Practice Analysis Task Force held its final meeting on September 6 and 7 in Reston, Virginia.

"Being a part of both the item writing program and the Exam Committee have really informed my practice... It makes those parts of our practice — the evidence-based, the best practice, the Code of Ethics — less abstract," says Paul Perales, LCSW.

To date, more than 52,000 social workers have participated in the Social Work Census, a major workforce study and practice analysis for the social work profession. That total number includes approximately 17,000 people who have submitted completed surveys and another 35,000 individuals who have begun responses and saved their progress. To maximize opportunities for participation […]

ASWB's examination development team continues to manage the equally important processes that result in valid, reliable, and fair licensure exams. "Partnerships with our vendors are key," says Exam Development Director Carl Hokanson, LGSW. "We all work together to make sure these projects are successful and uphold the highest standards."

The most comprehensive profession-wide study to date, the Census will generate an up-to-date picture of who today’s social workers are and what they are doing in their practice. Findings will help support the development of a more inclusive and equitable social work workforce and will be used in designing future competence assessments for social work licensure.

As we enter 2024, the ASWB examination program is looking forward to realizing many long-anticipated changes and initiatives. We are transitioning out of a year of planning and preparation and into a year of goals completed. Read more for details on what’s coming in the new year!

ASWB is using the Community Conversations research findings reported by HumRRO to inform the continued development of fair, reliable, and valid competence assessments and to determine future initiatives aimed at closing pass rate gaps among demographic groups.

My first anniversary as ASWB’s CEO is an opportunity for deep reflection. While I am looking back on a year unprecedented in ASWB’s history — and the social work profession’s history — I  am also focused on the future of social work regulation.

As part of our ongoing investment in creating competence measures for the future of social work, ASWB has invited social workers to share their experiences with social work licensing and the licensing exams via two independent research efforts.

The 2022–2024 Practice Analysis Task Force, a group of 32 licensed social workers, provides subject matter expertise to ASWB’s next analysis of the practice of social work.