ASWB is More Then the Exam
The Board of Social Work Examiners (BSWE) has been a member of the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) since 1974. ASWB is the nonprofit organization composed of the social work regulatory boards and colleges of all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and all 10 Canadian provinces.
Their mission is to provide support and services to the social work regulatory community to advance safe, competent, and ethical practices to strengthen public protection. The vision is that all social workers are licensed. This vision is rooted in the work Social Workers including those in Maryland have done over the years to elevate the professional standards of Social Work.
BSWE doesn’t just send licensees to ASWB for the exam. We rely on ASWB to provide training to our new Board Members. As a member of ASWB, we are able to send our Board members to these trainings at NO cost to our Board. This training is valuable in helping Board members make the connection between the Social Work Practice Act and protecting the public.
Training is just one benefit BSWE receives as a member of ASWB. In addition, our Continuing Education audits are conducted through ASWB. We also use the Public Protection Database to refer Maryland Social Workers who receive a public sanction.
In response to the exam data released in 2022, ASWB has worked on initiatives designed to reduce barriers and offer support to test takers. Click on this link to see a snapshot of some of these exam initiatives:
ASWB Exam Initiatives
ASWB funds numerous social work research projects:
ASWB Research Initiatives
Practice Analysis is a critical component for ensuring the content of each licensing exam remains relevant to current professional practice. In addition, the analysis reflects expertise from a diverse group of stakeholders.
ASWB conducted the most recent practice analysis from March to June 2024 as part of the Social Work Census, an initiative led by a group of social work organizations comprising the Social Work Workforce Coalition. Data scientists and researchers are currently analyzing the findings from the 2024 practice analysis; these will be used as the basis for questions on the next iteration of competence assessments launching in 2026.
ASWB just released the 2024 Analysis of the Practice of Social Work
2024 Analysis of the Practice of Social Work
Test questions are worked on by Social Work volunteers – NOT ASWB staff. Please check out the 2024 ASWB’s Exam Program Yearbook, which highlights the diverse group of social workers and subject matter experts responsible for writing, reviewing, and approving questions for use on the licensing exams.
Again, if accommodations are needed to take the exam, learn more about nonstandard testing arrangement by clicking on these links: nonstandard testing arrangements, including English as a second language arrangements. Use this link to find the form to make a request: Request for nonstandard testing arrangements form
The Social Work Licensure Compact is being sponsored by the Department of Defense, in partnership with ASWB and the Council of State Governments (CSG). 22 states including Virginia have already joined the Compact.
Maryland has legislation pending in the current legislative session. House Bill 345 and Senate Bill 174 are sponsored by NASW-MD and supported by BSWE. We have heard from many licensees who are in favor of this bill. To check the status, click on this link to the Maryland General Assembly webpage to take you to the status page for HB345. SB174 is currently being viewed in the Senate.
MD HB345 - Social Work Compact
Happy Social Work Month!
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