Licensure
Client Protection or Practitioner Gatekeeping? Policy and Practice Recommendations for Social Work Education Programs
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18060/28619Keywords:
licensure examination, test-taker disparities, barriers to equity, disproportionality, graduate studentsAbstract
The profession of social work is dedicated to the health and well-being of clients, with an emphasis on social justice and advocacy for vulnerable and oppressed populations. As social work professionals, we must uphold the highest ethical and professional standards outlined in the National Association of Social Work (NASW) Code of Ethics. These standards must equally be held for the establishment of licensure for social workers. A 2021 analysis of Licensed Clinical Social Work (LCSW) pass rates noted significant test-taker pass rate disparities, particularly around race and ethnicity. Unfortunately, for Black, Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) LCSW Candidates, their pass rates are significantly less than those of their white peers. This paper discusses the impact on community members when we have a professional shortage in behavioral health in both numbers of professionals and diversity in licensed clinical social workers. We highlight several strategies that social work programs can implement to mitigate some of the economic and societal barriers the future social work workforce faces, which could ultimately positively impact social work licensure pass rate outcomes and reduce disparities among licensing candidates. Further, this paper calls to action the ASWB to support improvements in licensing pass rates through implementing mentorship, financial support, and expanding language options for the exam to help increase equity in pass rates.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Kayla M. Whaley, Shelly Paule, Annie J. Keeney
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