OpenExamsFREE PRACTICE — ANY EXAM

Alaska Social Work — Requirements & Free Practice

US-AK · License preparation

752 free questions · Answer explanations · No signup required

Choose what to practice

Start with an exam below. Your examination requirements depend on your application pathway. View licensing requirements

Choose an exam or combined practice to begin.

Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.

Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker

Alaska social-work license at the baccalaureate level, with examination, credentials, portability, renewal, and restoration pathways. AS 08.95.100 protects the license titles and clinical practice; AS 08.95.911 preserves a limited grandfathered title-use exemption, not an additional license.

Licensing authority: Alaska Board of Social Work Examiners / Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing · Application information

Licensure by credentials
ASWB Bachelors Exam
Application
Submit the completed sworn application, required fees, three references, verification of same-type licensure, and continued competency evidence under 12 AAC 18.110.
Child support
An applicant on the delinquent-obligor list may receive only the 150-day temporary authorization provided by AS 25.27.244(d) if otherwise eligible. A full-term license requires a child-support agency release or other compliance under that section.
Continued competency
Either pass the applicable ASWB examination within the two years immediately before application, with ASWB sending the score to Alaska, OR verify 1,500 hours of licensed same-type social-work employment within five years before application AND the required continuing education within those five years. The Board application requests 45 hours including six substance-abuse, three ethics, three teletherapy, and three suicide-education hours. The work/education alternative may excuse an applicant from the recent-pass option; it is a condition and does not create an examination leaf alternative.
Discipline
No unresolved complaint or disciplinary action before a regulator or professional social-work association and no relevant revocation, suspension, or surrender in lieu of discipline under AS 08.95.120.
License held
Hold a current same-type social-work license from another jurisdiction whose original licensing requirements were equal to or more stringent than Alaska’s; provide direct verification and disciplinary history from all licensing jurisdictions.
References
Provide three acceptable professional references, including a current employer if currently employed in social work and a previous employer if previously employed, with the statutory exception when the previous employer reference cannot be provided through no fault of the applicant. Other professional references must meet 12 AAC 18.130(b); the application permits a letter of explanation and an additional qualified professional reference when an employer reference cannot be supplied.
Reinstatement after suspension or revocation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board decision
After a hearing, the Board must find that the applicant can practice the profession with skill and safety under AS 08.01.075(d). Any individual remedial education, probation, or practice restrictions are applicant conditions, not identified examination requirements.
Renewal
Meet applicable renewal and continuing-education requirements before reinstatement under 12 AAC 02.965.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by examination
ASWB Bachelors Exam
Application
Submit the completed sworn application and required fees, certified transcripts for examination licensure, and verification from every jurisdiction in which a social-work license is or was held, including disciplinary information.
Child support
An applicant on the delinquent-obligor list may receive only the 150-day temporary authorization provided by AS 25.27.244(d) if otherwise eligible. A full-term license requires a child-support agency release or other compliance under that section.
Education
A bachelor’s degree in social work from a Board-approved college or university; 12 AAC 18.990 includes CSWE-accredited social-work degree programs and University of Alaska social-work degree programs.
Examination timing
After Board approval, sit for the examination within one year, subject to a discretionary extension for good cause; passing scores must be sent directly by ASWB before the permanent license is issued.
Fitness
Good moral character, good professional standing and fitness to practice as determined by the Board; disclose convictions and provide the required explanations. Under 12 AAC 18.140, a felony crime against a person under AS 11.41 within ten years makes an examination applicant unfit; false or misleading qualification statements require denial.
Military credit
AS 08.01.064(a) permits substantially equivalent military education, training, and service to satisfy some or all otherwise required qualifications on satisfactory evidence and Board determination; this is an applicant condition.
References
Provide three acceptable professional references, including a current employer if currently employed in social work and a previous employer if previously employed, with the statutory exception when the previous employer reference cannot be provided through no fault of the applicant. Other professional references must meet 12 AAC 18.130(b); the application permits a letter of explanation and an additional qualified professional reference when an employer reference cannot be supplied.
Reinstatement of a lapsed license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Audit
Retain continuing-education records and respond to a Board audit within thirty days of notification.
Child support
An applicant on the delinquent-obligor list may receive only the 150-day temporary authorization provided by AS 25.27.244(d) if otherwise eligible. A full-term license requires a child-support agency release or other compliance under that section.
Continuing education
First biennial renewal: 21 contact hours if licensed fewer than twelve months in the concluding period, otherwise 45. Later renewals: 45 hours. Each period includes six substance-abuse hours, six cross-cultural hours (all six about Alaska Natives for first renewal; at least three thereafter), three ethics, three teletherapy, and three suicide-education hours. At least ten hours must be live, live online, or synchronous; no more than twelve contact hours may be earned in a day.
Lapse
The license has lapsed for less than five years. Meet renewal requirements before resuming licensed practice, pay applicable renewal fees and any delayed renewal penalty. With Board approval, continuing education may be completed after expiration; these credits may not count again for a later period. Licenses lapsed five years or more cannot be renewed under AS 08.01.100(d); initial examination or credentials requirements govern any new application.
License
Hold the Alaska baccalaureate social-work license; submit a sworn renewal form, fees, and the statement and details of completed continuing education under 12 AAC 18.200.
Military exception
AS 08.01.100(f) allows a military-service continuing-education waiver. AS 08.01.100(g) exempts a licensee in good standing deployed to a combat zone, danger-pay post, or qualified hazardous-duty area from fees and other maintenance requirements during deployment and for 180 days after return if not engaged in private practice for profit.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Biennial renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Audit
Retain continuing-education records and respond to a Board audit within thirty days of notification.
Child support
An applicant on the delinquent-obligor list may receive only the 150-day temporary authorization provided by AS 25.27.244(d) if otherwise eligible. A full-term license requires a child-support agency release or other compliance under that section.
Continuing education
First biennial renewal: 21 contact hours if licensed fewer than twelve months in the concluding period, otherwise 45. Later renewals: 45 hours. Each period includes six substance-abuse hours, six cross-cultural hours (all six about Alaska Natives for first renewal; at least three thereafter), three ethics, three teletherapy, and three suicide-education hours. At least ten hours must be live, live online, or synchronous; no more than twelve contact hours may be earned in a day.
License
Hold the Alaska baccalaureate social-work license; submit a sworn renewal form, fees, and the statement and details of completed continuing education under 12 AAC 18.200.
Military exception
AS 08.01.100(f) allows a military-service continuing-education waiver. AS 08.01.100(g) exempts a licensee in good standing deployed to a combat zone, danger-pay post, or qualified hazardous-duty area from fees and other maintenance requirements during deployment and for 180 days after return if not engaged in private practice for profit.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Permanent licensure under SCRA portability
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the application, military orders, a marriage certificate if applying as a spouse, required fees, primary-source license verifications, and the notarized affidavit required by 50 USC 4025a(c) and Alaska form 08-4969. Certify identity, truthful and complete statements, knowledge of Alaska licensing requirements and scope, compliance with Alaska law, and good standing in every jurisdiction. A background check may be conducted.
Compact exception
50 USC 4025a(e) excludes holders whose multistate license is governed by an applicable interstate compact; that compact and state law govern instead.
Eligibility
A servicemember or spouse relocating residence to Alaska under military orders holds a covered professional license of the same scope in another U.S. jurisdiction. The source license must be in good standing; no revocation, discipline, pending unprofessional-conduct investigation, or surrender during such an investigation is allowed.
Practice
The permanent Alaska license remains subject to applicable standards of practice, discipline, continuing education, and renewal requirements.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Return of a voluntarily surrendered license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Competence
The Board determines competence to resume practice and the licensee pays the appropriate renewal fee under AS 08.01.075(e).
Renewal
Meet applicable continuing-education and renewal requirements under 12 AAC 18.200 and 12 AAC 02.965.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

150-Day Temporary Baccalaureate Social Worker License

Licensing authority: Alaska Board of Social Work Examiners / Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing

150 day temporary authorization based on credentials eligibility
ASWB Bachelors Exam
Application
Submit the completed sworn application, required fees, three references, verification of same-type licensure, and continued competency evidence under 12 AAC 18.110.
Child support
An applicant on the delinquent-obligor list may receive only the 150-day temporary authorization provided by AS 25.27.244(d) if otherwise eligible. A full-term license requires a child-support agency release or other compliance under that section.
Continued competency
Either pass the applicable ASWB examination within the two years immediately before application, with ASWB sending the score to Alaska, OR verify 1,500 hours of licensed same-type social-work employment within five years before application AND the required continuing education within those five years. The Board application requests 45 hours including six substance-abuse, three ethics, three teletherapy, and three suicide-education hours. The work/education alternative may excuse an applicant from the recent-pass option; it is a condition and does not create an examination leaf alternative.
Discipline
No unresolved complaint or disciplinary action before a regulator or professional social-work association and no relevant revocation, suspension, or surrender in lieu of discipline under AS 08.95.120.
License held
Hold a current same-type social-work license from another jurisdiction whose original licensing requirements were equal to or more stringent than Alaska’s; provide direct verification and disciplinary history from all licensing jurisdictions.
References
Provide three acceptable professional references, including a current employer if currently employed in social work and a previous employer if previously employed, with the statutory exception when the previous employer reference cannot be provided through no fault of the applicant. Other professional references must meet 12 AAC 18.130(b); the application permits a letter of explanation and an additional qualified professional reference when an employer reference cannot be supplied.
Temporary eligibility
Listed by the child-support agency as not in substantial compliance with a support order or payment schedule, but otherwise eligible for the underlying credentials license.
Temporary term
One nonextendable temporary license per regular license term, coinciding with its first 150 days. Full-term issuance or renewal requires compliance and agency release under AS 25.27.244; no repeated temporary extension is available.
150 day temporary authorization based on examination eligibility
ASWB Bachelors Exam
Application
Submit the completed sworn application and required fees, certified transcripts for examination licensure, and verification from every jurisdiction in which a social-work license is or was held, including disciplinary information.
Child support
An applicant on the delinquent-obligor list may receive only the 150-day temporary authorization provided by AS 25.27.244(d) if otherwise eligible. A full-term license requires a child-support agency release or other compliance under that section.
Education
A bachelor’s degree in social work from a Board-approved college or university; 12 AAC 18.990 includes CSWE-accredited social-work degree programs and University of Alaska social-work degree programs.
Examination timing
After Board approval, sit for the examination within one year, subject to a discretionary extension for good cause; passing scores must be sent directly by ASWB before the permanent license is issued.
Fitness
Good moral character, good professional standing and fitness to practice as determined by the Board; disclose convictions and provide the required explanations. Under 12 AAC 18.140, a felony crime against a person under AS 11.41 within ten years makes an examination applicant unfit; false or misleading qualification statements require denial.
Military credit
AS 08.01.064(a) permits substantially equivalent military education, training, and service to satisfy some or all otherwise required qualifications on satisfactory evidence and Board determination; this is an applicant condition.
References
Provide three acceptable professional references, including a current employer if currently employed in social work and a previous employer if previously employed, with the statutory exception when the previous employer reference cannot be provided through no fault of the applicant. Other professional references must meet 12 AAC 18.130(b); the application permits a letter of explanation and an additional qualified professional reference when an employer reference cannot be supplied.
Temporary eligibility
Listed by the child-support agency as not in substantial compliance with a support order or payment schedule, but otherwise eligible for the underlying examination license.
Temporary term
One nonextendable temporary license per regular license term, coinciding with its first 150 days. Full-term issuance or renewal requires compliance and agency release under AS 25.27.244; no repeated temporary extension is available.
150 day temporary authorization based on renewal eligibility
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Audit
Retain continuing-education records and respond to a Board audit within thirty days of notification.
Child support
An applicant on the delinquent-obligor list may receive only the 150-day temporary authorization provided by AS 25.27.244(d) if otherwise eligible. A full-term license requires a child-support agency release or other compliance under that section.
Continuing education
First biennial renewal: 21 contact hours if licensed fewer than twelve months in the concluding period, otherwise 45. Later renewals: 45 hours. Each period includes six substance-abuse hours, six cross-cultural hours (all six about Alaska Natives for first renewal; at least three thereafter), three ethics, three teletherapy, and three suicide-education hours. At least ten hours must be live, live online, or synchronous; no more than twelve contact hours may be earned in a day.
License
Hold the Alaska baccalaureate social-work license; submit a sworn renewal form, fees, and the statement and details of completed continuing education under 12 AAC 18.200.
Military exception
AS 08.01.100(f) allows a military-service continuing-education waiver. AS 08.01.100(g) exempts a licensee in good standing deployed to a combat zone, danger-pay post, or qualified hazardous-duty area from fees and other maintenance requirements during deployment and for 180 days after return if not engaged in private practice for profit.
Temporary eligibility
Listed by the child-support agency as not in substantial compliance with a support order or payment schedule, but otherwise eligible for the underlying renewal license.
Temporary term
One nonextendable temporary license per regular license term, coinciding with its first 150 days. Full-term issuance or renewal requires compliance and agency release under AS 25.27.244; no repeated temporary extension is available.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

150-Day Temporary Clinical Social Worker License

Licensing authority: Alaska Board of Social Work Examiners / Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing

150 day temporary authorization based on credentials eligibility
ASWB Clinical Exam
Application
Submit the completed sworn application, required fees, three references, verification of same-type licensure, and continued competency evidence under 12 AAC 18.110.
Child support
An applicant on the delinquent-obligor list may receive only the 150-day temporary authorization provided by AS 25.27.244(d) if otherwise eligible. A full-term license requires a child-support agency release or other compliance under that section.
Continued competency
Either pass the applicable ASWB examination within the two years immediately before application, with ASWB sending the score to Alaska, OR verify 1,500 hours of licensed same-type social-work employment within five years before application AND the required continuing education within those five years. The Board application requests 45 hours including six substance-abuse, three ethics, three teletherapy, and three suicide-education hours. The work/education alternative may excuse an applicant from the recent-pass option; it is a condition and does not create an examination leaf alternative.
Discipline
No unresolved complaint or disciplinary action before a regulator or professional social-work association and no relevant revocation, suspension, or surrender in lieu of discipline under AS 08.95.120.
License held
Hold a current same-type social-work license from another jurisdiction whose original licensing requirements were equal to or more stringent than Alaska’s; provide direct verification and disciplinary history from all licensing jurisdictions.
References
Provide three acceptable professional references, including a current employer if currently employed in social work and a previous employer if previously employed, with the statutory exception when the previous employer reference cannot be provided through no fault of the applicant. Other professional references must meet 12 AAC 18.130(b); the application permits a letter of explanation and an additional qualified professional reference when an employer reference cannot be supplied.
Temporary eligibility
Listed by the child-support agency as not in substantial compliance with a support order or payment schedule, but otherwise eligible for the underlying credentials license.
Temporary term
One nonextendable temporary license per regular license term, coinciding with its first 150 days. Full-term issuance or renewal requires compliance and agency release under AS 25.27.244; no repeated temporary extension is available.
150 day temporary authorization based on examination eligibility
ASWB Clinical Exam
Application
Submit the completed sworn application and required fees, certified transcripts for examination licensure, and verification from every jurisdiction in which a social-work license is or was held, including disciplinary information.
Child support
An applicant on the delinquent-obligor list may receive only the 150-day temporary authorization provided by AS 25.27.244(d) if otherwise eligible. A full-term license requires a child-support agency release or other compliance under that section.
Education
A master’s or doctoral degree in social work from a Board-approved college or university; 12 AAC 18.990 includes CSWE-accredited social-work degree programs and University of Alaska social-work degree programs.
Examination timing
After Board approval, sit for the examination within one year, subject to a discretionary extension for good cause; passing scores must be sent directly by ASWB before the permanent license is issued.
Fitness
Good moral character, good professional standing and fitness to practice as determined by the Board; disclose convictions and provide the required explanations. Under 12 AAC 18.140, a felony crime against a person under AS 11.41 within ten years makes an examination applicant unfit; false or misleading qualification statements require denial.
Military credit
AS 08.01.064(a) permits substantially equivalent military education, training, and service to satisfy some or all otherwise required qualifications on satisfactory evidence and Board determination; this is an applicant condition.
Postgraduate experience
Within ten years before application, complete either at least two years of continuous full-time postgraduate clinical social-work employment or at least 3,000 hours of less-than-full-time employment over at least two years, under statutory supervision. The Board application describes a minimum of two years and 3,000 hours; comply with the Board’s requested documentation.
References
Provide three acceptable professional references, including a current employer if currently employed in social work and a previous employer if previously employed, with the statutory exception when the previous employer reference cannot be provided through no fault of the applicant. Other professional references must meet 12 AAC 18.130(b); the application permits a letter of explanation and an additional qualified professional reference when an employer reference cannot be supplied.
Supervision
Document at least 100 hours of direct clinical supervision equitably distributed over the supervised period, at most 50 hours in groups unless the Board grants a good-cause exception. For a licensing period beginning after June 30, 2026, the supervisor must satisfy 12 AAC 18.113: at least three licensed years, unrestricted licensure, six hours of supervision education, and six further hours each biennium. Provide the supervisor verification form and an agency release if supervised outside the employing agency; simultaneous speech and hearing, in person or electronically, satisfies face-to-face supervision. An alternate plan requires Board approval before the alternate experience begins.
Temporary eligibility
Listed by the child-support agency as not in substantial compliance with a support order or payment schedule, but otherwise eligible for the underlying examination license.
Temporary term
One nonextendable temporary license per regular license term, coinciding with its first 150 days. Full-term issuance or renewal requires compliance and agency release under AS 25.27.244; no repeated temporary extension is available.
150 day temporary authorization based on renewal eligibility
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Audit
Retain continuing-education records and respond to a Board audit within thirty days of notification.
Child support
An applicant on the delinquent-obligor list may receive only the 150-day temporary authorization provided by AS 25.27.244(d) if otherwise eligible. A full-term license requires a child-support agency release or other compliance under that section.
Continuing education
First biennial renewal: 21 contact hours if licensed fewer than twelve months in the concluding period, otherwise 45. Later renewals: 45 hours. Each period includes six substance-abuse hours, six cross-cultural hours (all six about Alaska Natives for first renewal; at least three thereafter), three ethics, three teletherapy, and three suicide-education hours. At least ten hours must be live, live online, or synchronous; no more than twelve contact hours may be earned in a day.
License
Hold the Alaska clinical social-work license; submit a sworn renewal form, fees, and the statement and details of completed continuing education under 12 AAC 18.200.
Military exception
AS 08.01.100(f) allows a military-service continuing-education waiver. AS 08.01.100(g) exempts a licensee in good standing deployed to a combat zone, danger-pay post, or qualified hazardous-duty area from fees and other maintenance requirements during deployment and for 180 days after return if not engaged in private practice for profit.
Temporary eligibility
Listed by the child-support agency as not in substantial compliance with a support order or payment schedule, but otherwise eligible for the underlying renewal license.
Temporary term
One nonextendable temporary license per regular license term, coinciding with its first 150 days. Full-term issuance or renewal requires compliance and agency release under AS 25.27.244; no repeated temporary extension is available.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

150-Day Temporary Master Social Worker License

Licensing authority: Alaska Board of Social Work Examiners / Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing

150 day temporary authorization based on credentials eligibility
ASWB Masters Exam
Application
Submit the completed sworn application, required fees, three references, verification of same-type licensure, and continued competency evidence under 12 AAC 18.110.
Child support
An applicant on the delinquent-obligor list may receive only the 150-day temporary authorization provided by AS 25.27.244(d) if otherwise eligible. A full-term license requires a child-support agency release or other compliance under that section.
Continued competency
Either pass the applicable ASWB examination within the two years immediately before application, with ASWB sending the score to Alaska, OR verify 1,500 hours of licensed same-type social-work employment within five years before application AND the required continuing education within those five years. The Board application requests 45 hours including six substance-abuse, three ethics, three teletherapy, and three suicide-education hours. The work/education alternative may excuse an applicant from the recent-pass option; it is a condition and does not create an examination leaf alternative.
Discipline
No unresolved complaint or disciplinary action before a regulator or professional social-work association and no relevant revocation, suspension, or surrender in lieu of discipline under AS 08.95.120.
License held
Hold a current same-type social-work license from another jurisdiction whose original licensing requirements were equal to or more stringent than Alaska’s; provide direct verification and disciplinary history from all licensing jurisdictions.
References
Provide three acceptable professional references, including a current employer if currently employed in social work and a previous employer if previously employed, with the statutory exception when the previous employer reference cannot be provided through no fault of the applicant. Other professional references must meet 12 AAC 18.130(b); the application permits a letter of explanation and an additional qualified professional reference when an employer reference cannot be supplied.
Temporary eligibility
Listed by the child-support agency as not in substantial compliance with a support order or payment schedule, but otherwise eligible for the underlying credentials license.
Temporary term
One nonextendable temporary license per regular license term, coinciding with its first 150 days. Full-term issuance or renewal requires compliance and agency release under AS 25.27.244; no repeated temporary extension is available.
150 day temporary authorization based on examination eligibility
ASWB Masters Exam
Application
Submit the completed sworn application and required fees, certified transcripts for examination licensure, and verification from every jurisdiction in which a social-work license is or was held, including disciplinary information.
Child support
An applicant on the delinquent-obligor list may receive only the 150-day temporary authorization provided by AS 25.27.244(d) if otherwise eligible. A full-term license requires a child-support agency release or other compliance under that section.
Education
A master’s or doctoral degree in social work from a Board-approved college or university; 12 AAC 18.990 includes CSWE-accredited social-work degree programs and University of Alaska social-work degree programs.
Examination timing
After Board approval, sit for the examination within one year, subject to a discretionary extension for good cause; passing scores must be sent directly by ASWB before the permanent license is issued.
Fitness
Good moral character, good professional standing and fitness to practice as determined by the Board; disclose convictions and provide the required explanations. Under 12 AAC 18.140, a felony crime against a person under AS 11.41 within ten years makes an examination applicant unfit; false or misleading qualification statements require denial.
Military credit
AS 08.01.064(a) permits substantially equivalent military education, training, and service to satisfy some or all otherwise required qualifications on satisfactory evidence and Board determination; this is an applicant condition.
References
Provide three acceptable professional references, including a current employer if currently employed in social work and a previous employer if previously employed, with the statutory exception when the previous employer reference cannot be provided through no fault of the applicant. Other professional references must meet 12 AAC 18.130(b); the application permits a letter of explanation and an additional qualified professional reference when an employer reference cannot be supplied.
Temporary eligibility
Listed by the child-support agency as not in substantial compliance with a support order or payment schedule, but otherwise eligible for the underlying examination license.
Temporary term
One nonextendable temporary license per regular license term, coinciding with its first 150 days. Full-term issuance or renewal requires compliance and agency release under AS 25.27.244; no repeated temporary extension is available.
150 day temporary authorization based on renewal eligibility
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Audit
Retain continuing-education records and respond to a Board audit within thirty days of notification.
Child support
An applicant on the delinquent-obligor list may receive only the 150-day temporary authorization provided by AS 25.27.244(d) if otherwise eligible. A full-term license requires a child-support agency release or other compliance under that section.
Continuing education
First biennial renewal: 21 contact hours if licensed fewer than twelve months in the concluding period, otherwise 45. Later renewals: 45 hours. Each period includes six substance-abuse hours, six cross-cultural hours (all six about Alaska Natives for first renewal; at least three thereafter), three ethics, three teletherapy, and three suicide-education hours. At least ten hours must be live, live online, or synchronous; no more than twelve contact hours may be earned in a day.
License
Hold the Alaska master social-work license; submit a sworn renewal form, fees, and the statement and details of completed continuing education under 12 AAC 18.200.
Military exception
AS 08.01.100(f) allows a military-service continuing-education waiver. AS 08.01.100(g) exempts a licensee in good standing deployed to a combat zone, danger-pay post, or qualified hazardous-duty area from fees and other maintenance requirements during deployment and for 180 days after return if not engaged in private practice for profit.
Temporary eligibility
Listed by the child-support agency as not in substantial compliance with a support order or payment schedule, but otherwise eligible for the underlying renewal license.
Temporary term
One nonextendable temporary license per regular license term, coinciding with its first 150 days. Full-term issuance or renewal requires compliance and agency release under AS 25.27.244; no repeated temporary extension is available.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Alaska social-work license at the clinical level, with examination, credentials, portability, renewal, and restoration pathways. AS 08.95.100 protects the license titles and clinical practice; AS 08.95.911 preserves a limited grandfathered title-use exemption, not an additional license.

Licensing authority: Alaska Board of Social Work Examiners / Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing · Application information

Licensure by credentials
ASWB Clinical Exam
Application
Submit the completed sworn application, required fees, three references, verification of same-type licensure, and continued competency evidence under 12 AAC 18.110.
Child support
An applicant on the delinquent-obligor list may receive only the 150-day temporary authorization provided by AS 25.27.244(d) if otherwise eligible. A full-term license requires a child-support agency release or other compliance under that section.
Continued competency
Either pass the applicable ASWB examination within the two years immediately before application, with ASWB sending the score to Alaska, OR verify 1,500 hours of licensed same-type social-work employment within five years before application AND the required continuing education within those five years. The Board application requests 45 hours including six substance-abuse, three ethics, three teletherapy, and three suicide-education hours. The work/education alternative may excuse an applicant from the recent-pass option; it is a condition and does not create an examination leaf alternative.
Discipline
No unresolved complaint or disciplinary action before a regulator or professional social-work association and no relevant revocation, suspension, or surrender in lieu of discipline under AS 08.95.120.
License held
Hold a current same-type social-work license from another jurisdiction whose original licensing requirements were equal to or more stringent than Alaska’s; provide direct verification and disciplinary history from all licensing jurisdictions.
References
Provide three acceptable professional references, including a current employer if currently employed in social work and a previous employer if previously employed, with the statutory exception when the previous employer reference cannot be provided through no fault of the applicant. Other professional references must meet 12 AAC 18.130(b); the application permits a letter of explanation and an additional qualified professional reference when an employer reference cannot be supplied.
Reinstatement after suspension or revocation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board decision
After a hearing, the Board must find that the applicant can practice the profession with skill and safety under AS 08.01.075(d). Any individual remedial education, probation, or practice restrictions are applicant conditions, not identified examination requirements.
Renewal
Meet applicable renewal and continuing-education requirements before reinstatement under 12 AAC 02.965.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by examination
ASWB Clinical Exam
Application
Submit the completed sworn application and required fees, certified transcripts for examination licensure, and verification from every jurisdiction in which a social-work license is or was held, including disciplinary information.
Child support
An applicant on the delinquent-obligor list may receive only the 150-day temporary authorization provided by AS 25.27.244(d) if otherwise eligible. A full-term license requires a child-support agency release or other compliance under that section.
Education
A master’s or doctoral degree in social work from a Board-approved college or university; 12 AAC 18.990 includes CSWE-accredited social-work degree programs and University of Alaska social-work degree programs.
Examination timing
After Board approval, sit for the examination within one year, subject to a discretionary extension for good cause; passing scores must be sent directly by ASWB before the permanent license is issued.
Fitness
Good moral character, good professional standing and fitness to practice as determined by the Board; disclose convictions and provide the required explanations. Under 12 AAC 18.140, a felony crime against a person under AS 11.41 within ten years makes an examination applicant unfit; false or misleading qualification statements require denial.
Military credit
AS 08.01.064(a) permits substantially equivalent military education, training, and service to satisfy some or all otherwise required qualifications on satisfactory evidence and Board determination; this is an applicant condition.
Postgraduate experience
Within ten years before application, complete either at least two years of continuous full-time postgraduate clinical social-work employment or at least 3,000 hours of less-than-full-time employment over at least two years, under statutory supervision. The Board application describes a minimum of two years and 3,000 hours; comply with the Board’s requested documentation.
References
Provide three acceptable professional references, including a current employer if currently employed in social work and a previous employer if previously employed, with the statutory exception when the previous employer reference cannot be provided through no fault of the applicant. Other professional references must meet 12 AAC 18.130(b); the application permits a letter of explanation and an additional qualified professional reference when an employer reference cannot be supplied.
Supervision
Document at least 100 hours of direct clinical supervision equitably distributed over the supervised period, at most 50 hours in groups unless the Board grants a good-cause exception. For a licensing period beginning after June 30, 2026, the supervisor must satisfy 12 AAC 18.113: at least three licensed years, unrestricted licensure, six hours of supervision education, and six further hours each biennium. Provide the supervisor verification form and an agency release if supervised outside the employing agency; simultaneous speech and hearing, in person or electronically, satisfies face-to-face supervision. An alternate plan requires Board approval before the alternate experience begins.
Reinstatement of a lapsed license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Audit
Retain continuing-education records and respond to a Board audit within thirty days of notification.
Child support
An applicant on the delinquent-obligor list may receive only the 150-day temporary authorization provided by AS 25.27.244(d) if otherwise eligible. A full-term license requires a child-support agency release or other compliance under that section.
Continuing education
First biennial renewal: 21 contact hours if licensed fewer than twelve months in the concluding period, otherwise 45. Later renewals: 45 hours. Each period includes six substance-abuse hours, six cross-cultural hours (all six about Alaska Natives for first renewal; at least three thereafter), three ethics, three teletherapy, and three suicide-education hours. At least ten hours must be live, live online, or synchronous; no more than twelve contact hours may be earned in a day.
Lapse
The license has lapsed for less than five years. Meet renewal requirements before resuming licensed practice, pay applicable renewal fees and any delayed renewal penalty. With Board approval, continuing education may be completed after expiration; these credits may not count again for a later period. Licenses lapsed five years or more cannot be renewed under AS 08.01.100(d); initial examination or credentials requirements govern any new application.
License
Hold the Alaska clinical social-work license; submit a sworn renewal form, fees, and the statement and details of completed continuing education under 12 AAC 18.200.
Military exception
AS 08.01.100(f) allows a military-service continuing-education waiver. AS 08.01.100(g) exempts a licensee in good standing deployed to a combat zone, danger-pay post, or qualified hazardous-duty area from fees and other maintenance requirements during deployment and for 180 days after return if not engaged in private practice for profit.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Biennial renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Audit
Retain continuing-education records and respond to a Board audit within thirty days of notification.
Child support
An applicant on the delinquent-obligor list may receive only the 150-day temporary authorization provided by AS 25.27.244(d) if otherwise eligible. A full-term license requires a child-support agency release or other compliance under that section.
Continuing education
First biennial renewal: 21 contact hours if licensed fewer than twelve months in the concluding period, otherwise 45. Later renewals: 45 hours. Each period includes six substance-abuse hours, six cross-cultural hours (all six about Alaska Natives for first renewal; at least three thereafter), three ethics, three teletherapy, and three suicide-education hours. At least ten hours must be live, live online, or synchronous; no more than twelve contact hours may be earned in a day.
License
Hold the Alaska clinical social-work license; submit a sworn renewal form, fees, and the statement and details of completed continuing education under 12 AAC 18.200.
Military exception
AS 08.01.100(f) allows a military-service continuing-education waiver. AS 08.01.100(g) exempts a licensee in good standing deployed to a combat zone, danger-pay post, or qualified hazardous-duty area from fees and other maintenance requirements during deployment and for 180 days after return if not engaged in private practice for profit.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Permanent licensure under SCRA portability
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the application, military orders, a marriage certificate if applying as a spouse, required fees, primary-source license verifications, and the notarized affidavit required by 50 USC 4025a(c) and Alaska form 08-4969. Certify identity, truthful and complete statements, knowledge of Alaska licensing requirements and scope, compliance with Alaska law, and good standing in every jurisdiction. A background check may be conducted.
Compact exception
50 USC 4025a(e) excludes holders whose multistate license is governed by an applicable interstate compact; that compact and state law govern instead.
Eligibility
A servicemember or spouse relocating residence to Alaska under military orders holds a covered professional license of the same scope in another U.S. jurisdiction. The source license must be in good standing; no revocation, discipline, pending unprofessional-conduct investigation, or surrender during such an investigation is allowed.
Practice
The permanent Alaska license remains subject to applicable standards of practice, discipline, continuing education, and renewal requirements.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Return of a voluntarily surrendered license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Competence
The Board determines competence to resume practice and the licensee pays the appropriate renewal fee under AS 08.01.075(e).
Renewal
Meet applicable continuing-education and renewal requirements under 12 AAC 18.200 and 12 AAC 02.965.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensed Master Social Worker

Alaska social-work license at the master level, with examination, credentials, portability, renewal, and restoration pathways. AS 08.95.100 protects the license titles and clinical practice; AS 08.95.911 preserves a limited grandfathered title-use exemption, not an additional license.

Licensing authority: Alaska Board of Social Work Examiners / Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing · Application information

Licensure by credentials
ASWB Masters Exam
Application
Submit the completed sworn application, required fees, three references, verification of same-type licensure, and continued competency evidence under 12 AAC 18.110.
Child support
An applicant on the delinquent-obligor list may receive only the 150-day temporary authorization provided by AS 25.27.244(d) if otherwise eligible. A full-term license requires a child-support agency release or other compliance under that section.
Continued competency
Either pass the applicable ASWB examination within the two years immediately before application, with ASWB sending the score to Alaska, OR verify 1,500 hours of licensed same-type social-work employment within five years before application AND the required continuing education within those five years. The Board application requests 45 hours including six substance-abuse, three ethics, three teletherapy, and three suicide-education hours. The work/education alternative may excuse an applicant from the recent-pass option; it is a condition and does not create an examination leaf alternative.
Discipline
No unresolved complaint or disciplinary action before a regulator or professional social-work association and no relevant revocation, suspension, or surrender in lieu of discipline under AS 08.95.120.
License held
Hold a current same-type social-work license from another jurisdiction whose original licensing requirements were equal to or more stringent than Alaska’s; provide direct verification and disciplinary history from all licensing jurisdictions.
References
Provide three acceptable professional references, including a current employer if currently employed in social work and a previous employer if previously employed, with the statutory exception when the previous employer reference cannot be provided through no fault of the applicant. Other professional references must meet 12 AAC 18.130(b); the application permits a letter of explanation and an additional qualified professional reference when an employer reference cannot be supplied.
Reinstatement after suspension or revocation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board decision
After a hearing, the Board must find that the applicant can practice the profession with skill and safety under AS 08.01.075(d). Any individual remedial education, probation, or practice restrictions are applicant conditions, not identified examination requirements.
Renewal
Meet applicable renewal and continuing-education requirements before reinstatement under 12 AAC 02.965.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Licensure by examination
ASWB Masters Exam
Application
Submit the completed sworn application and required fees, certified transcripts for examination licensure, and verification from every jurisdiction in which a social-work license is or was held, including disciplinary information.
Child support
An applicant on the delinquent-obligor list may receive only the 150-day temporary authorization provided by AS 25.27.244(d) if otherwise eligible. A full-term license requires a child-support agency release or other compliance under that section.
Education
A master’s or doctoral degree in social work from a Board-approved college or university; 12 AAC 18.990 includes CSWE-accredited social-work degree programs and University of Alaska social-work degree programs.
Examination timing
After Board approval, sit for the examination within one year, subject to a discretionary extension for good cause; passing scores must be sent directly by ASWB before the permanent license is issued.
Fitness
Good moral character, good professional standing and fitness to practice as determined by the Board; disclose convictions and provide the required explanations. Under 12 AAC 18.140, a felony crime against a person under AS 11.41 within ten years makes an examination applicant unfit; false or misleading qualification statements require denial.
Military credit
AS 08.01.064(a) permits substantially equivalent military education, training, and service to satisfy some or all otherwise required qualifications on satisfactory evidence and Board determination; this is an applicant condition.
References
Provide three acceptable professional references, including a current employer if currently employed in social work and a previous employer if previously employed, with the statutory exception when the previous employer reference cannot be provided through no fault of the applicant. Other professional references must meet 12 AAC 18.130(b); the application permits a letter of explanation and an additional qualified professional reference when an employer reference cannot be supplied.
Reinstatement of a lapsed license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Audit
Retain continuing-education records and respond to a Board audit within thirty days of notification.
Child support
An applicant on the delinquent-obligor list may receive only the 150-day temporary authorization provided by AS 25.27.244(d) if otherwise eligible. A full-term license requires a child-support agency release or other compliance under that section.
Continuing education
First biennial renewal: 21 contact hours if licensed fewer than twelve months in the concluding period, otherwise 45. Later renewals: 45 hours. Each period includes six substance-abuse hours, six cross-cultural hours (all six about Alaska Natives for first renewal; at least three thereafter), three ethics, three teletherapy, and three suicide-education hours. At least ten hours must be live, live online, or synchronous; no more than twelve contact hours may be earned in a day.
Lapse
The license has lapsed for less than five years. Meet renewal requirements before resuming licensed practice, pay applicable renewal fees and any delayed renewal penalty. With Board approval, continuing education may be completed after expiration; these credits may not count again for a later period. Licenses lapsed five years or more cannot be renewed under AS 08.01.100(d); initial examination or credentials requirements govern any new application.
License
Hold the Alaska master social-work license; submit a sworn renewal form, fees, and the statement and details of completed continuing education under 12 AAC 18.200.
Military exception
AS 08.01.100(f) allows a military-service continuing-education waiver. AS 08.01.100(g) exempts a licensee in good standing deployed to a combat zone, danger-pay post, or qualified hazardous-duty area from fees and other maintenance requirements during deployment and for 180 days after return if not engaged in private practice for profit.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Biennial renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Audit
Retain continuing-education records and respond to a Board audit within thirty days of notification.
Child support
An applicant on the delinquent-obligor list may receive only the 150-day temporary authorization provided by AS 25.27.244(d) if otherwise eligible. A full-term license requires a child-support agency release or other compliance under that section.
Continuing education
First biennial renewal: 21 contact hours if licensed fewer than twelve months in the concluding period, otherwise 45. Later renewals: 45 hours. Each period includes six substance-abuse hours, six cross-cultural hours (all six about Alaska Natives for first renewal; at least three thereafter), three ethics, three teletherapy, and three suicide-education hours. At least ten hours must be live, live online, or synchronous; no more than twelve contact hours may be earned in a day.
License
Hold the Alaska master social-work license; submit a sworn renewal form, fees, and the statement and details of completed continuing education under 12 AAC 18.200.
Military exception
AS 08.01.100(f) allows a military-service continuing-education waiver. AS 08.01.100(g) exempts a licensee in good standing deployed to a combat zone, danger-pay post, or qualified hazardous-duty area from fees and other maintenance requirements during deployment and for 180 days after return if not engaged in private practice for profit.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Permanent licensure under SCRA portability
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the application, military orders, a marriage certificate if applying as a spouse, required fees, primary-source license verifications, and the notarized affidavit required by 50 USC 4025a(c) and Alaska form 08-4969. Certify identity, truthful and complete statements, knowledge of Alaska licensing requirements and scope, compliance with Alaska law, and good standing in every jurisdiction. A background check may be conducted.
Compact exception
50 USC 4025a(e) excludes holders whose multistate license is governed by an applicable interstate compact; that compact and state law govern instead.
Eligibility
A servicemember or spouse relocating residence to Alaska under military orders holds a covered professional license of the same scope in another U.S. jurisdiction. The source license must be in good standing; no revocation, discipline, pending unprofessional-conduct investigation, or surrender during such an investigation is allowed.
Practice
The permanent Alaska license remains subject to applicable standards of practice, discipline, continuing education, and renewal requirements.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Return of a voluntarily surrendered license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Competence
The Board determines competence to resume practice and the licensee pays the appropriate renewal fee under AS 08.01.075(e).
Renewal
Meet applicable continuing-education and renewal requirements under 12 AAC 18.200 and 12 AAC 02.965.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

ASWB Bachelors Exam

Provider
Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB); administered on computer at Pearson test centers
Format
Computer-based multiple-choice examination (three- and four-option questions) in two 61-question sections, each with a two-hour time limit; scored and pretest questions are mixed together; results reported as pass/fail
Exam questions
122 multiple-choice questions: 110 scored and 12 unscored pretest questions
Time limit
4 hours (two sections, each with a two-hour time limit)
Passing score
Pass/fail; the number of correct answers required varies by exam form and generally ranges from 66 to 78 of the 110 scored questions
Exam fee
US$230 exam registration fee
Examination outline
  • I. VALUES AND ETHICS (35%) (35%)
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Legal and ethical issues related to the practice of social work, including responsibility to clients/client systems, colleagues, the profession, and society
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Principles and processes of obtaining informed consent
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Legal and ethical issues regarding confidentiality, including limitations of confidentiality (e.g., HIPAA, PHI, privacy)
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Identifying and resolving ethical dilemmas
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Professional values and principles (e.g., competence, social justice, integrity, dignity and worth of the person)
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Burnout, secondary trauma, and compassion fatigue
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Social worker self-care principles
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Importance of professional development activities to improve practice and maintain current professional knowledge (e.g., in-service training, licensing requirements, reviews of literature, workshops, on-going supervision, consultation)
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Professional boundaries in the social worker-client/client system relationship (e.g., power differences, influence, privilege, conflicts of interest, self-disclosure, dual relationships)
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Protecting and enhancing client/client system self-determination (e.g., medication, medical treatment, counseling, placement, right to refuse services)
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Legal and ethical issues regarding mandatory reporting (e.g., abuse, threat of harm, impaired professionals, duty to warn)
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Legal and ethical issues regarding documentation (e.g., maintaining client records)
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Impact of governmental policies on service delivery (e.g., local, state, federal legislation and policy)
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Legal and ethical issues related to death and dying
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Ethical issues in supervision and management
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Responsible billing practices (e.g., managed care, insurance reimbursement, incident to billing)
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Ethical issues related to electronic practice
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Legal and ethical issues regarding termination
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Anti-oppressive and anti-racist approaches
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Social, racial, environmental, and economic justice principles
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Impact of culture, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, and intersectionality on behaviors, attitudes, and identity formation
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Accessibility including language, physical, and cultural access (e.g., translation and interpretation, neurodiversity, American Sign Language)
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Social justice, truth and reconciliation, and restorative practices related to clients/client systems from historically oppressed and marginalized communities
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Cultural impacts of exploitation across marginalized communities (e.g., financial, immigration status, trafficking, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women)
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Privilege and bias and their impact on client/client systems (e.g., implicit bias, microaggressions)
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Power differential and racial privilege (e.g., internalized racial and ethnic inferiority and superiority)
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Impact of globalization, immigration, and refugee or immigration status on clients/client systems and service delivery
  • II. ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING (33%) (33%)
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Impact of poverty on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities (e.g., social determinants of health)
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Indicators and impact of trauma, stressors, violence, and crises on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities (e.g., intergenerational, historical, and complex)
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Indicators and impact of addiction and substance use and abuse on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Indicators, dynamics, and impact of physical, sexual, and psychological abuse and neglect on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Family dynamics and functioning and the effects on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Dynamics of interpersonal relationships and relationship development (e.g., family, couples, groups, polyamory)
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Indicators of mental and emotional illness throughout the lifespan
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Impact of out-of-home placement (e.g., hospitalization, foster care, residential care, criminal justice system) on clients/client systems
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Factors of out-of-home displacement (e.g., homelessness, immigration, and refugee status) on clients/client systems
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Co-occurring disorders and conditions
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Factors influencing self- and body-image (e.g., culture, race, religion/spirituality, age, ability, trauma, gender, sexuality, size)
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Characteristics of perpetrators of abuse, neglect, and exploitation
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Impact of caregiving on families
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Indicators, dynamics, and impact of exploitation across the lifespan (e.g., financial, immigration status, trafficking)
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Biopsychosocial assessment model and related components and factors
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Effects of physical and mental ability throughout the lifespan
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Typical and atypical physical, cognitive, emotional, and sexual development throughout the lifespan
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Impact of aging on the individual and family systems
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Racial, ethnic, cultural, and spiritual/faith development throughout the lifespan
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Defense mechanisms and their effects on behavior and relationships
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — The influence and impact of technology, including social media, on client/client-systems (personal and professional)
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Impact of urbanization, globalization, environmental hazards, and climate change on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Client/client system competence, self-determination, and self-monitoring techniques (e.g., financial decisions, treatment decisions, emancipation, age of consent, permanency planning)
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods of assessing risk of harm to self and others
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Principles and techniques of interviewing (e.g., supporting, clarifying, confronting, validating, feedback, reflecting, language differences, use of interpreters)
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods of involving clients/client systems in problem identification, problem solving, and intervention planning
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods, techniques, and instruments for assessing client/client system strengths, resources, needs, and challenges
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods for obtaining sensitive and/or confidential information (e.g., substance use, sexual abuse)
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods for assessing resilience and coping abilities
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Indicators of and methods of assessing motivation, barriers, and readiness for change
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Components and function of the mental status examination
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods of assessing clients’/client systems’ communication skills
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods of incorporating information from records and evaluations (e.g., employment, medical, psychological, school)
    • IIC. ASSESSMENT PRACTICES — Assessing the availability of and determining appropriate community resources
    • IIC. ASSESSMENT PRACTICES — Factors and processes used in goal planning, treatment planning, triage, and service plans
    • IIC. ASSESSMENT PRACTICES — Criteria used in the selection of intervention/treatment modalities (e.g., client/client system abilities, developmental level, culture, life stage)
    • IIC. ASSESSMENT PRACTICES — Cultural considerations in the creation of an intervention plan
    • IIC. ASSESSMENT PRACTICES — Indicators of client/client system readiness for termination
    • IIC. ASSESSMENT PRACTICES — Use and side effects of common prescription, over-the-counter, and alternative medications
  • III. INTERVENTION AND PRACTICE (32%) (32%)
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — Principles and techniques for building and maintaining a helping relationship (e.g., acceptance, empathy, rapport)
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — The social worker’s role in the problem-solving process
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — Strengths-based and empowerment strategies and interventions
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — Interdisciplinary and intra-disciplinary team collaboration (e.g., co-therapy, care conference, IEP)
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — End of life practice (e.g., continuity of care, hospice, palliative care, stages of death and dying)
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — Parenting capacities and skill building
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — Permanency planning (e.g., child welfare)
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — Policies, procedures, regulations, and legislation and their impact on social work practice and service delivery
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — Community organizing, development, and mobilizing community participation
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Principles of active listening and observation
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Verbal and nonverbal communication (e.g., body language, congruence, feedback)
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods and approaches for providing trauma-informed care for various types of trauma (e.g., complex, vicarious)
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Limit and boundary setting techniques
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Case management techniques (e.g., case recording, documentation, case presentation)
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Approaches to and methods of advocacy for needed services and resources
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Evidence-based practices (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, mindfulness based stress reduction, motivational interviewing, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing)
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods for engaging and motivating voluntary and involuntary clients/client systems
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Contracting and goal-setting techniques (e.g., partializing, measurable objectives)
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Practice with clients experiencing loss, separation, and grief
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Emotional regulation techniques
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Crisis intervention and treatment approaches
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Stress management techniques
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Discharge, aftercare, wrap-around services, and follow-up
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods of teaching coping and other self-care skills to clients
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Techniques and methods for addiction intervention
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Establishing service networks or community resources
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Problem-solving models and approaches
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Harm reduction techniques
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Conflict resolution methods
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Anger management techniques
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Task-centered approaches
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Psychoeducation methods
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Group work techniques and approaches (e.g., developing and managing group processes and cohesion)
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Role modeling techniques
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Social change and social planning methods
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Assertiveness training techniques
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Role play techniques
    • IIIC. PRACTICE EVALUATION AND RESEARCH — Techniques for evaluating progress and effectiveness of intervention, treatment, and service plans
    • IIIC. PRACTICE EVALUATION AND RESEARCH — Methods of evaluating agency programs (e.g., needs assessment, formative/summative assessment, cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit analysis, outcomes assessment)
    • IIIC. PRACTICE EVALUATION AND RESEARCH — Methods, techniques, and instruments used to evaluate social work practice
    • IIID. SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION — Organizational development, structure, and functioning (e.g., policies, procedures)
    • IIID. SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION — Supervisee’s role in supervision (e.g., identifying learning needs, self-assessment, prioritizing)
    • IIID. SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION — Supervision and consultation models and techniques (e.g., individual, peer, group, case recording)
    • IIID. SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION — Transference and countertransference within supervisory relationships
Examination sources

ASWB Clinical Exam

Provider
Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB); administered on computer at Pearson test centers
Format
Computer-based multiple-choice examination (three- and four-option questions) in two 61-question sections, each with a two-hour time limit; scored and pretest questions are mixed together; results reported as pass/fail
Exam questions
122 multiple-choice questions: 110 scored and 12 unscored pretest questions
Time limit
4 hours (two sections, each with a two-hour time limit)
Passing score
Pass/fail; the number of correct answers required varies by exam form and generally ranges from 66 to 78 of the 110 scored questions
Exam fee
US$260 exam registration fee
Examination outline
  • I. VALUES AND ETHICS (36%) (36%)
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Legal and ethical issues regarding confidentiality, including limitations of confidentiality (e.g., HIPAA, PHI, privacy)
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Legal and ethical issues related to the practice of social work, including responsibility to clients/client systems, colleagues, the profession, and society
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Identifying and resolving ethical dilemmas
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Principles and processes of obtaining informed consent
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Professional values and principles (e.g., competence, social justice, integrity, dignity and worth of the person)
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Burnout, secondary trauma, and compassion fatigue
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Social worker self-care principles
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Importance of professional development activities to improve practice and maintain current professional knowledge (e.g., in-service training, licensing requirements, reviews of literature, workshops, on-going supervision, consultation)
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Protecting and enhancing client/client system self-determination (e.g., medication, medical treatment, counseling, placement, right to refuse services)
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Professional boundaries in the social worker-client/client system relationship (e.g., power differences, influence, privilege, conflicts of interest, self-disclosure, dual relationships)
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Legal and ethical issues regarding mandatory reporting (e.g., abuse, threat of harm, impaired professionals, duty to warn)
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Legal and ethical issues regarding documentation (e.g., maintaining client records)
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Responsible billing practices (e.g., managed care, insurance reimbursement, incident to billing)
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Legal and ethical issues related to death and dying
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Ethical issues in supervision and management
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Impact of governmental policies on service delivery (e.g., local, state, federal legislation and policy)
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Legal and ethical issues regarding termination
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Ethical issues related to electronic practice
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Research ethics (e.g., institutional review boards, use of human subjects, informed consent)
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Anti-oppressive and anti-racist approaches
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Social, racial, environmental, and economic justice principles
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Impact of culture, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, and intersectionality on behaviors, attitudes, and identity formation
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Accessibility including language, physical, and cultural access (e.g., translation and interpretation, neurodiversity, American Sign Language)
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Power differential and racial privilege (e.g., internalized racial and ethnic inferiority and superiority)
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Privilege and bias and their impact on client/client systems (e.g., implicit bias, microaggressions)
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Cultural impacts of exploitation across marginalized communities (e.g., financial, immigration status, trafficking, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women)
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Social justice, truth and reconciliation, and restorative practices related to clients/client systems from historically oppressed and marginalized communities
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Impact of globalization, immigration, and refugee or immigration status on clients/client systems and service delivery
  • II. ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING (32% — the heading in the Clinical content outline prints no percentage; page 6 of the guidebook states the Clinical examination will have 32 percent of the questions testing Assessment and Planning) (32%)
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Indicators and impact of trauma, stressors, violence, and crises on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities (e.g., intergenerational, historical, and complex)
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Family dynamics and functioning and the effects on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Dynamics of interpersonal relationships and relationship development (e.g., family, couples, groups, polyamory)
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Indicators, dynamics, and impact of physical, sexual, and psychological abuse and neglect on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Indicators of mental and emotional illness throughout the lifespan
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Co-occurring disorders and conditions
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Biopsychosocial assessment model and related components and factors
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Indicators and impact of addiction and substance use and abuse on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Impact of poverty on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities (e.g., social determinants of health)
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Factors influencing self- and body-image (e.g., culture, race, religion/spirituality, age, ability, trauma, gender, sexuality, size)
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Defense mechanisms and their effects on behavior and relationships
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Characteristics of perpetrators of abuse, neglect, and exploitation
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Impact of out-of-home placement (e.g., hospitalization, foster care, residential care, criminal justice system) on clients/client systems
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Impact of caregiving on families
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Indicators, dynamics, and impact of exploitation across the lifespan (e.g., financial, immigration status, trafficking)
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Typical and atypical physical, cognitive, emotional, and sexual development throughout the lifespan
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Effects of physical and mental ability throughout the lifespan
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Impact of aging on the individual and family systems
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Racial, ethnic, cultural, and spiritual/faith development throughout the lifespan
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Factors of out-of-home displacement (e.g., homelessness, immigration, and refugee status) on clients/client systems
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — The influence and impact of technology, including social media, on client/client-systems (personal and professional)
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Impact of urbanization, globalization, environmental hazards, and climate change on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Client/client system competence, self-determination, and self-monitoring techniques (e.g., financial decisions, treatment decisions, emancipation, age of consent, permanency planning)
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods of assessing risk of harm to self and others
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Principles and techniques of interviewing (e.g., supporting, clarifying, confronting, validating, feedback, reflecting, language differences, use of interpreters)
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods of involving clients/client systems in problem identification, problem solving, and intervention planning
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Indicators of and methods of assessing motivation, barriers, and readiness for change
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods for assessing resilience and coping abilities
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods, techniques, and instruments for assessing client/client system strengths, resources, needs, and challenges
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods for obtaining sensitive and/or confidential information (e.g., substance use, sexual abuse)
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods of assessing clients’/client systems’ communication skills
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Use of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in assessment and common indicators of mental health and brain-related conditions
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Components and function of the mental status examination
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods of incorporating information from records and evaluations (e.g., employment, medical, psychological, school)
    • IIC. ASSESSMENT PRACTICES — Assessing the availability of and determining appropriate community resources
    • IIC. ASSESSMENT PRACTICES — Factors and processes used in goal planning, treatment planning, triage, and service plans
    • IIC. ASSESSMENT PRACTICES — Criteria used in the selection of intervention/treatment modalities (e.g., client/client system abilities, developmental level, culture, life stage)
    • IIC. ASSESSMENT PRACTICES — Cultural considerations in the creation of an intervention plan
    • IIC. ASSESSMENT PRACTICES — Use and side effects of common prescription, over-the-counter, and alternative medications
    • IIC. ASSESSMENT PRACTICES — Indicators of client/client system readiness for termination
  • III. INTERVENTION AND PRACTICE (32%) (32%)
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — Strengths-based and empowerment strategies and interventions
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — Principles and techniques for building and maintaining a helping relationship (e.g., acceptance, empathy, rapport)
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — Interdisciplinary and intra-disciplinary team collaboration (e.g., co-therapy, care conference, IEP)
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — The social worker’s role in the problem-solving process
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — End of life practice (e.g., continuity of care, hospice, palliative care, stages of death and dying)
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — Parenting capacities and skill building
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — Policies, procedures, regulations, and legislation and their impact on social work practice and service delivery
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — Developing formal documents (e.g., grants, proposals, reports, evaluations)
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods and approaches for providing trauma-informed care for various types of trauma (e.g., complex, vicarious)
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Verbal and nonverbal communication (e.g., body language, congruence, feedback)
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Principles of active listening and observation
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Limit and boundary setting techniques
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Crisis intervention and treatment approaches
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Emotional regulation techniques
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Evidence-based practices (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, mindfulness based stress reduction, motivational interviewing, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing)
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods of teaching coping and other self-care skills to clients
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Stress management techniques
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Practice with clients experiencing loss, separation, and grief
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods for engaging and motivating voluntary and involuntary clients/client systems
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Harm reduction techniques
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Approaches to and methods of advocacy for needed services and resources
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Psychoeducation methods
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Contracting and goal-setting techniques (e.g., partializing, measurable objectives)
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Problem-solving models and approaches
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Techniques and methods for addiction intervention
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Case management techniques (e.g., case recording, documentation, case presentation)
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Conflict resolution methods
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Anger management techniques
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Family therapy models, interventions, and approaches
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Discharge, aftercare, wrap-around services, and follow-up
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Group work techniques and approaches (e.g., developing and managing group processes and cohesion)
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Establishing service networks or community resources
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Assertiveness training techniques
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Role modeling techniques
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Couples interventions and treatment approaches
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Role play techniques
    • IIIC. PRACTICE EVALUATION AND RESEARCH — Techniques for evaluating progress and effectiveness of intervention, treatment, and service plans
    • IIIC. PRACTICE EVALUATION AND RESEARCH — Methods of establishing program objectives and outcomes
    • IIIC. PRACTICE EVALUATION AND RESEARCH — Program evaluation and related impact on services
    • IIIC. PRACTICE EVALUATION AND RESEARCH — Methods of evaluating agency programs (e.g., needs assessment, formative/summative assessment, cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit analysis, outcomes assessment)
    • IIIC. PRACTICE EVALUATION AND RESEARCH — Basic and applied research design and methods, data collection and analysis methods, and methods to assess reliability and validity in social work research (e.g., objective, subjective, qualitative, quantitative)
    • IIIC. PRACTICE EVALUATION AND RESEARCH — Quality assurance (e.g., program reviews and audits by external sources)
    • IIID. SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION — Supervisee’s role in supervision (e.g., identifying learning needs, self-assessment, prioritizing)
    • IIID. SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION — Supervision and consultation models and techniques (e.g., individual, peer, group, case recording)
    • IIID. SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION — Transference and countertransference within supervisory relationships
    • IIID. SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION — Methods for creating, implementing, and evaluating policies and procedures that minimize risk for individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
    • IIID. SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION — Organizational development, structure, and functioning (e.g., policies, procedures)
    • IIID. SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION — Fiscal management and resource allocation techniques
Examination sources

ASWB Masters Exam

Provider
Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB); administered on computer at Pearson test centers
Format
Computer-based multiple-choice examination (three- and four-option questions) in two 61-question sections, each with a two-hour time limit; scored and pretest questions are mixed together; results reported as pass/fail
Exam questions
122 multiple-choice questions: 110 scored and 12 unscored pretest questions
Time limit
4 hours (two sections, each with a two-hour time limit)
Passing score
Pass/fail; the number of correct answers required varies by exam form and generally ranges from 66 to 78 of the 110 scored questions
Exam fee
US$230 exam registration fee
Examination outline
  • I. VALUES AND ETHICS (35%) (35%)
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Principles and processes of obtaining informed consent
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Legal and ethical issues regarding confidentiality, including limitations of confidentiality (e.g., HIPAA, PHI, privacy)
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Legal and ethical issues related to the practice of social work, including responsibility to clients/client systems, colleagues, the profession, and society
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Identifying and resolving ethical dilemmas
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Professional values and principles (e.g., competence, social justice, integrity, dignity and worth of the person)
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Burnout, secondary trauma, and compassion fatigue
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Social worker self-care principles
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Importance of professional development activities to improve practice and maintain current professional knowledge (e.g., in-service training, licensing requirements, reviews of literature, workshops, on-going supervision, consultation)
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Professional boundaries in the social worker-client/client system relationship (e.g., power differences, influence, privilege, conflicts of interest, self-disclosure, dual relationships)
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Protecting and enhancing client/client system self-determination (e.g., medication, medical treatment, counseling, placement, right to refuse services)
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Legal and ethical issues regarding mandatory reporting (e.g., abuse, threat of harm, impaired professionals, duty to warn)
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Legal and ethical issues regarding documentation (e.g., maintaining client records)
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Impact of governmental policies on service delivery (e.g., local, state, federal legislation and policy)
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Legal and ethical issues related to death and dying
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Ethical issues in supervision and management
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Responsible billing practices (e.g., managed care, insurance reimbursement, incident to billing)
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Ethical issues related to electronic practice
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Legal and ethical issues regarding termination
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Anti-oppressive and anti-racist approaches
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Social, racial, environmental, and economic justice principles
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Impact of culture, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, and intersectionality on behaviors, attitudes, and identity formation
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Accessibility including language, physical, and cultural access (e.g., translation and interpretation, neurodiversity, American Sign Language)
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Privilege and bias and their impact on client/client systems (e.g., implicit bias, microaggressions)
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Power differential and racial privilege (e.g., internalized racial and ethnic inferiority and superiority)
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Cultural impacts of exploitation across marginalized communities (e.g., financial, immigration status, trafficking, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women)
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Social justice, truth and reconciliation, and restorative practices related to clients/client systems from historically oppressed and marginalized communities
    • IC. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE — Impact of globalization, immigration, and refugee or immigration status on clients/client systems and service delivery
  • II. ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING (33%) (33%)
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Indicators and impact of trauma, stressors, violence, and crises on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities (e.g., intergenerational, historical, and complex)
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Family dynamics and functioning and the effects on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Impact of poverty on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities (e.g., social determinants of health)
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Dynamics of interpersonal relationships and relationship development (e.g., family, couples, groups, polyamory)
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Indicators, dynamics, and impact of physical, sexual, and psychological abuse and neglect on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Indicators of mental and emotional illness throughout the lifespan
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Impact of out-of-home placement (e.g., hospitalization, foster care, residential care, criminal justice system) on clients/client systems
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Impact of caregiving on families
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Indicators and impact of addiction and substance use and abuse on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Co-occurring disorders and conditions
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Biopsychosocial assessment model and related components and factors
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Characteristics of perpetrators of abuse, neglect, and exploitation
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Indicators, dynamics, and impact of exploitation across the lifespan (e.g., financial, immigration status, trafficking)
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Defense mechanisms and their effects on behavior and relationships
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Effects of physical and mental ability throughout the lifespan
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Factors of out-of-home displacement (e.g., homelessness, immigration, and refugee status) on clients/client systems
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Impact of aging on the individual and family systems
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Factors influencing self- and body-image (e.g., culture, race, religion/spirituality, age, ability, trauma, gender, sexuality, size)
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Racial, ethnic, cultural, and spiritual/faith development throughout the lifespan
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Typical and atypical physical, cognitive, emotional, and sexual development throughout the lifespan
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — The influence and impact of technology, including social media, on client/client-systems (personal and professional)
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Impact of urbanization, globalization, environmental hazards, and climate change on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Client/client system competence, self-determination, and self-monitoring techniques (e.g., financial decisions, treatment decisions, emancipation, age of consent, permanency planning)
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Principles and techniques of interviewing (e.g., supporting, clarifying, confronting, validating, feedback, reflecting, language differences, use of interpreters)
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods of assessing risk of harm to self and others
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods of involving clients/client systems in problem identification, problem solving, and intervention planning
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods, techniques, and instruments for assessing client/client system strengths, resources, needs, and challenges
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods for obtaining sensitive and/or confidential information (e.g., substance use, sexual abuse)
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods for assessing resilience and coping abilities
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Indicators of and methods of assessing motivation, barriers, and readiness for change
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods of assessing clients’/client systems’ communication skills
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods of incorporating information from records and evaluations (e.g., employment, medical, psychological, school)
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Components and function of the mental status examination
    • IIC. ASSESSMENT PRACTICES — Assessing the availability of and determining appropriate community resources
    • IIC. ASSESSMENT PRACTICES — Cultural considerations in the creation of an intervention plan
    • IIC. ASSESSMENT PRACTICES — Factors and processes used in goal planning, treatment planning, triage, and service plans
    • IIC. ASSESSMENT PRACTICES — Criteria used in the selection of intervention/treatment modalities (e.g., client/client system abilities, developmental level, culture, life stage)
    • IIC. ASSESSMENT PRACTICES — Use and side effects of common prescription, over-the-counter, and alternative medications
    • IIC. ASSESSMENT PRACTICES — Indicators of client/client system readiness for termination
  • III. INTERVENTION AND PRACTICE (32%) (32%)
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — Strengths-based and empowerment strategies and interventions
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — Principles and techniques for building and maintaining a helping relationship (e.g., acceptance, empathy, rapport)
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — The social worker’s role in the problem-solving process
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — Interdisciplinary and intra-disciplinary team collaboration (e.g., co-therapy, care conference, IEP)
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — End of life practice (e.g., continuity of care, hospice, palliative care, stages of death and dying)
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — Parenting capacities and skill building
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — Policies, procedures, regulations, and legislation and their impact on social work practice and service delivery
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — Permanency planning (e.g., child welfare)
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — Community organizing, development, and mobilizing community participation
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Limit and boundary setting techniques
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Verbal and nonverbal communication (e.g., body language, congruence, feedback)
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods and approaches for providing trauma-informed care for various types of trauma (e.g., complex, vicarious)
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Principles of active listening and observation
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Crisis intervention and treatment approaches
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Emotional regulation techniques
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Approaches to and methods of advocacy for needed services and resources
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods of teaching coping and other self-care skills to clients
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Practice with clients experiencing loss, separation, and grief
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods for engaging and motivating voluntary and involuntary clients/client systems
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Case management techniques (e.g., case recording, documentation, case presentation)
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Evidence-based practices (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, mindfulness based stress reduction, motivational interviewing, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing)
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Stress management techniques
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Harm reduction techniques
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Contracting and goal-setting techniques (e.g., partializing, measurable objectives)
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Problem-solving models and approaches
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Discharge, aftercare, wrap-around services, and follow-up
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Conflict resolution methods
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Establishing service networks or community resources
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Techniques and methods for addiction intervention
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Psychoeducation methods
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Anger management techniques
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Group work techniques and approaches (e.g., developing and managing group processes and cohesion)
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Family therapy models, interventions, and approaches
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Social change and social planning methods
    • IIIC. PRACTICE. EVALUATION AND RESEARCH — Techniques for evaluating progress and effectiveness of intervention, treatment, and service plans
    • IIIC. PRACTICE. EVALUATION AND RESEARCH — Methods, techniques, and instruments used to evaluate social work practice
    • IIIC. PRACTICE. EVALUATION AND RESEARCH — Methods of evaluating agency programs (e.g., needs assessment, formative/summative assessment, cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit analysis, outcomes assessment)
    • IIIC. PRACTICE. EVALUATION AND RESEARCH — Basic and applied research design and methods, data collection and analysis methods, and methods to assess reliability and validity in social work research (e.g., objective, subjective, qualitative, quantitative)
    • IIID. SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION — Supervisee’s role in supervision (e.g., identifying learning needs, self-assessment, prioritizing)
    • IIID. SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION — Methods for creating, implementing, and evaluating policies and procedures for safe, inclusive, and a healthy work environment
    • IIID. SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION — Methods for creating, implementing, and evaluating policies and procedures that minimize risk for individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
    • IIID. SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION — Supervision and consultation models and techniques (e.g., individual, peer, group, case recording)
    • IIID. SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION — Transference and countertransference within supervisory relationships
Examination sources