Opinion calls for policy solutions instead of eliminating exam
Date postedJuly 31, 2024
A 2022 analysis by the Association of Social Work Boards of the social worker licensure exam showed disparities in pass rates between Black and white test takers. Some state legislatures have proposed to eliminate the exam due to its bias. This article supports the licensing exam as "a uniform, objective measure of social work knowledge and skills. . . . Licensing exams mirror broader social issues but are not the cause of disparities. Candidates bring varied experiences to the exams, reflecting inequities in society. Addressing these inequities requires policy solutions, not the elimination of professional standards."