As social workers navigate the changing landscape of the profession, many structural, ethical, and legal questions arise. Supervision is at the heart of many concerns in areas as diverse as supervisor availability, qualifications, and performance.

A groundbreaking survey conducted by the American Foundation for Research and Consumer Education in Social Work Regulation reveals the vast majority of social workers (76%) believe that the licensing examination is crucial in maintaining high professional standards. In addition, 96% of social workers are in favor of a proposed multi-state compact that will allow tested […]

Mobility and portability are here to stay, and the regulatory community must consider and embrace models used to address social work practice through technology and otherwise.

ASWB is currently accepting proposals for research related to occupational and professional regulation, with an emphasis on social work regulatory best practices.

Understanding the basis for and prerequisites of licensure set forth in law is the best way to prepare for legal, practical and/or political debate surrounding government regulation.

Building understanding about social work regulation and promoting consistency in standards are dual goals of a recent collaboration between ASWB’s Member Engagement and Regulatory Services department and marketing staff. A new resource, Spotlight on Regulation, is now available on aswb.org. It features graphically presented information and interactive maps that supplement the dynamic laws and regulations […]

The introduction of government into the licensure, renewal, and enforcement of social work practice includes a fairness component. This fairness doctrine is referred to as due process or fundamental justice. In short, fairness in the process is required because the government mandates that practitio

Earlier this year, the Illinois legislature passed Senate Bill 1632, a bill removing the exam requirement for social workers applying for the LSW license, which is reserved for BSW and MSW practice, with BSWs requiring supervised experience before becoming licensed. The new law takes effect January 1, 2022. The Illinois chapter of the National Association […]

Regulatory challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic The public health emergency has produced many problems that affect the social work regulatory community, including: The increased need to provide continuation of care via electronic means because of social distancing protocols, students leaving universities and their support networks, and clients and practitioners being separated by state lines […]

Member boards have a role in achieving the strategic framework—ASWB staff are ready to assist Exemptions allow social work practice to occur without requiring the practitioner to be licensed.  Generally, exemptions are based on practice setting. During early legislative wrangling to get licensing laws on the books, exemptions were often viewed as a politically necessary […]