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District of Columbia Social Work — Requirements & Free Practice

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Licensed Graduate Social Worker

One of the four statutory social-work licensing categories; secondary status and restoration requirements are recorded by route.

Licensing authority: District of Columbia Board of Social Work · Application information

Military deployment relief for first LGSW renewal
ASWB Masters Exam
Continuing Education
Uncompleted required CE may be completed up to six months after discharge, return to inactive status or return from a war zone under § 4015.2.
Deployment
License active at deployment during U.S. active military operations; apply while serving or within six months after discharge or return to inactive military status, submit activation orders and pay renewal fee. § 4015.1 excuses reinstatement/late fees.
First Renewal Alternative
§ 3-1208.02(c)’s national-exam-or-1,500-supervised-hours condition is retained; military relief does not state its removal.
Prior License
First renewal of an initial LGSW license.
Initial licensure without examination through education
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Under § 7006.2 submit completed online application, identifying information or sworn no-SSN affidavit, digital facial photo, certified transcript, two professional references and one personal reference, required documents and fees. The Board checklist also requests government photo ID, name-change documents when applicable, work-experience form, and screening/Clean Hands explanations.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Education
CSWE-accredited social-work master’s degree or doctorate under D.C. Code § 3-1208.02.
Educational Election
Inform the Board in writing of election to obtain the license without examination and intent to obtain 1,500 supervised hours before first renewal (§ 7006.9); submit the § 7014 application and certified transcript.
First Renewal
§ 3-1208.02(c) permits passing a national exam or 1,500 supervised hours. § 7006.10-.12 demands documented, satisfactory supervised hours for the education pathway, qualified supervision and at least one immediate-supervision hour per 32 practice hours.
Fitness
Meet occupation-related conviction, license-standing and pending-discipline requirements under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(1), (6) and (7).
Initial Examination Exemption
D.C. Code §§ 3-1205.06(f) and 3-1208.02(a) exempt initial LGSW issuance. The examination pathway is an applicant election under § 7006.9, also offered in the Board announcement; passing the exam is an option for first renewal, not a statutory initial-issuance prerequisite.
Minimum Age
At least 18 under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(2).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-03-06.

Licensure by endorsement
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Abandonment
§ 7007.3 closes an endorsement application after 90 days incomplete; reapply and submit required forms, documents and fees.
Application
Under § 7006.2 submit completed online application, identifying information or sworn no-SSN affidavit, digital facial photo, certified transcript, two professional references and one personal reference, required documents and fees. The Board checklist also requests government photo ID, name-change documents when applicable, work-experience form, and screening/Clean Hands explanations.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Equivalent Exam
The Board may approve another equivalent examination under § 7004.1; this open approval slot specifies no further named exam.
Existing License
Initial U.S. licensure by an equivalent-level exam and a current U.S. social-work license in good standing under standards the Board finds substantially equivalent at initial licensing (§ 7007.1).
Fitness
Meet occupation-related conviction, license-standing and pending-discipline requirements under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(1), (6) and (7).
Lower Ranked Demand
The statutory initial-licensure exemption controls. The lower-ranked § 7007.2(d) says: (d) Submit the applicant's certified or validated examination results, which shall confirm that the applicant has received a passing score on the required level of the national examination or on another examination determined by the Board to be equivalent; The current Board endorsement checklist says: “Examination scores must be transferred from the examining body. This can be submitted electronically from the ASWB.” These Board demands are conditions rather than statutory initial-licensure leaves.
Minimum Age
At least 18 under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(2).
Verification
Provide current-license copy and direct original-jurisdiction verification; the current checklist requests verification of all professional licenses ever held regardless of status.
Waiver Discretion
§ 3-1205.06(e)(1) authorizes but does not exercise a Board examination waiver for endorsement or reciprocity.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-03-06.

Licensure by examination
ASWB Masters Exam
Application
Under § 7006.2 submit completed online application, identifying information or sworn no-SSN affidavit, digital facial photo, certified transcript, two professional references and one personal reference, required documents and fees. The Board checklist also requests government photo ID, name-change documents when applicable, work-experience form, and screening/Clean Hands explanations.
Board Equivalent Exam
The Board may approve another equivalent examination under § 7004.1; this open approval slot specifies no further named exam.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Education
CSWE-accredited social-work master’s degree or doctorate under D.C. Code § 3-1208.02.
Fitness
Meet occupation-related conviction, license-standing and pending-discipline requirements under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(1), (6) and (7).
Initial Examination Exemption
D.C. Code §§ 3-1205.06(f) and 3-1208.02(a) exempt initial LGSW issuance. The examination pathway is an applicant election under § 7006.9, also offered in the Board announcement; passing the exam is an option for first renewal, not a statutory initial-issuance prerequisite.
Minimum Age
At least 18 under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(2).
Score Age
Under § 7004.5, a score older than five years requires retesting unless the Board accepts continuous U.S. licensure and practice since passing.
Score Submission
Submit ASWB-certified or validated results under § 7004.10.
Student Eligibility
§ 7005 permits Board authorization during the final semester or quarter based on institutional proof of expected degree and graduation; authorization lasts for two examinations or 120 days, whichever is first. Licensure cannot issue until proof of graduation is received.
Initial licensure with protected conduct expedited review
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Under § 7006.2 submit completed online application, identifying information or sworn no-SSN affidavit, digital facial photo, certified transcript, two professional references and one personal reference, required documents and fees. The Board checklist also requests government photo ID, name-change documents when applicable, work-experience form, and screening/Clean Hands explanations.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Education
CSWE-accredited social-work master’s degree or doctorate under D.C. Code § 3-1208.02.
Educational Election
Elect education under § 7014; initial LGSW examination exemption applies.
Fitness
Meet occupation-related conviction, license-standing and pending-discipline requirements under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(1), (6) and (7).
Initial Examination Exemption
D.C. Code §§ 3-1205.06(f) and 3-1208.02(a) exempt initial LGSW issuance. The examination pathway is an applicant election under § 7006.9, also offered in the Board announcement; passing the exam is an option for first renewal, not a statutory initial-issuance prerequisite.
Minimum Age
At least 18 under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(2).
Protected Conduct
Expedited review under § 3-1205.01a applies to a license suspended or revoked elsewhere solely for District-permitted conduct in § 3-1205.14(e-1), including gender-affirming behavioral healthcare. Priority changes; social-work qualifications remain applicable.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-03-06.

Reinstatement of expired license within five years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Unless exempt under § 7008.2, complete 40 approved CE hours in the preceding two years including six live ethics/conduct/boundary hours, two LGBTQ hours and 10% public-health priorities; no more than 12 independent/distance/internet hours; provide § 7008.12 proof.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Expired License
Apply within five years after expiration under § 3-1205.12(a)(1), pay reinstatement fees and document qualification and competency.
Five Year Boundary Difference
The statute permits reinstatement within five years. The lower-ranked § 7008.11 states: 7008.11 An applicant whose license has expired for five (5) or more years shall not be eligible for reinstatement of licensure. The applicant shall be required to apply for a new license and shall meet the requirements as they exist at the time that the applicant applies for licensure. The statutory boundary controls; the rule’s new-application demand is a condition.
Inactive Practice
After more than two years away from active practice, the Board may require competency proof, training, unspecified testing or practice monitoring under § 3-1205.12(c). No registered exam is identified in this discretion.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-03-06.

First renewal of LGSW license
ASWB Masters Exam
Continuing Education Exemption
§ 7008.2 exempts first renewal from ordinary CE.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Education Rule Demand
§ 7006.10-.12 demands 1,500 satisfactory, documented supervised hours for a license issued without examination; the statute’s exam-or-hours alternative controls, and the additional rule demand remains a condition.
Prior License
First renewal of an initial LGSW license.
Statutory Alternative
§ 3-1208.02(c) permits a national exam or 1,500 supervised hours. Retain the currently offered Masters examination; the non-exam hours alternative is an applicant condition.
Initial licensure without examination with foreign equivalent education
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Under § 7006.2 submit completed online application, identifying information or sworn no-SSN affidavit, digital facial photo, certified transcript, two professional references and one personal reference, required documents and fees. The Board checklist also requests government photo ID, name-change documents when applicable, work-experience form, and screening/Clean Hands explanations.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Education
CSWE-accredited social-work master’s degree or doctorate under D.C. Code § 3-1208.02.
Educational Election
Inform the Board in writing of election to obtain the license without examination and intent to obtain 1,500 supervised hours before first renewal (§ 7006.9); submit the § 7014 application and certified transcript.
First Renewal
§ 3-1208.02(c) permits passing a national exam or 1,500 supervised hours. § 7006.10-.12 demands documented, satisfactory supervised hours for the education pathway, qualified supervision and at least one immediate-supervision hour per 32 practice hours.
Fitness
Meet occupation-related conviction, license-standing and pending-discipline requirements under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(1), (6) and (7).
Foreign Education
§ 7003 requires Board-approved equivalency, CSWE Foreign Equivalency Determination Service certification, and signed Board-acceptable English translations of non-English documents.
Initial Examination Exemption
D.C. Code §§ 3-1205.06(f) and 3-1208.02(a) exempt initial LGSW issuance. The examination pathway is an applicant election under § 7006.9, also offered in the Board announcement; passing the exam is an option for first renewal, not a statutory initial-issuance prerequisite.
Minimum Age
At least 18 under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(2).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-03-06.

Licensure by examination with foreign equivalent education
ASWB Masters Exam
Application
Under § 7006.2 submit completed online application, identifying information or sworn no-SSN affidavit, digital facial photo, certified transcript, two professional references and one personal reference, required documents and fees. The Board checklist also requests government photo ID, name-change documents when applicable, work-experience form, and screening/Clean Hands explanations.
Board Equivalent Exam
The Board may approve another equivalent examination under § 7004.1; this open approval slot specifies no further named exam.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Education
CSWE-accredited social-work master’s degree or doctorate under D.C. Code § 3-1208.02.
Fitness
Meet occupation-related conviction, license-standing and pending-discipline requirements under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(1), (6) and (7).
Foreign Education
§ 7003 requires Board-approved equivalency, CSWE Foreign Equivalency Determination Service certification, and signed Board-acceptable English translations of non-English documents.
Initial Examination Exemption
D.C. Code §§ 3-1205.06(f) and 3-1208.02(a) exempt initial LGSW issuance. The examination pathway is an applicant election under § 7006.9, also offered in the Board announcement; passing the exam is an option for first renewal, not a statutory initial-issuance prerequisite.
Minimum Age
At least 18 under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(2).
Score Age
Under § 7004.5, a score older than five years requires retesting unless the Board accepts continuous U.S. licensure and practice since passing.
Score Submission
Submit ASWB-certified or validated results under § 7004.10.
Student Eligibility
§ 7005 permits Board authorization during the final semester or quarter based on institutional proof of expected degree and graduation; authorization lasts for two examinations or 120 days, whichever is first. Licensure cannot issue until proof of graduation is received.
Military deployment relief for renewal or reinstatement
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Uncompleted required CE may be completed up to six months after discharge, return to inactive status or return from a war zone under § 4015.2.
Deployment
License active at deployment during U.S. active military operations; apply while serving or within six months after discharge or return to inactive military status, submit activation orders and pay renewal fee. § 4015.1 excuses reinstatement/late fees.
Prior License
Existing Licensed Graduate Social Worker license; excludes first LGSW renewal.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-03-06.

New application after more than five years expired
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Under § 7006.2 submit completed online application, identifying information or sworn no-SSN affidavit, digital facial photo, certified transcript, two professional references and one personal reference, required documents and fees. The Board checklist also requests government photo ID, name-change documents when applicable, work-experience form, and screening/Clean Hands explanations.
Board Equivalent Exam
The Board may approve another equivalent examination under § 7004.1; this open approval slot specifies no further named exam.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Education
CSWE-accredited social-work master’s degree or doctorate under D.C. Code § 3-1208.02.
Educational Election
Elect education under § 7014; the initial LGSW statutory examination exemption applies.
Expired License
Expired more than five years; § 3-1205.12(b) requires current new-application qualifications.
Fitness
Meet occupation-related conviction, license-standing and pending-discipline requirements under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(1), (6) and (7).
Initial Examination Exemption
D.C. Code §§ 3-1205.06(f) and 3-1208.02(a) exempt initial LGSW issuance. The examination pathway is an applicant election under § 7006.9, also offered in the Board announcement; passing the exam is an option for first renewal, not a statutory initial-issuance prerequisite.
Minimum Age
At least 18 under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(2).
Same Level Rule
§ 7001.2 bars a new same-level license while renewal or reinstatement remains available. After the statutory five-year limit, § 3-1205.12(b) and § 7008.11 govern new application.
Score Age
Under § 7004.5, a score older than five years requires retesting unless the Board accepts continuous U.S. licensure and practice since passing.
Score Submission
Submit ASWB-certified or validated results under § 7004.10.
Student Eligibility
§ 7005 permits Board authorization during the final semester or quarter based on institutional proof of expected degree and graduation; authorization lasts for two examinations or 120 days, whichever is first. Licensure cannot issue until proof of graduation is received.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-03-06.

Reactivation while actively licensed elsewhere
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Active License Elsewhere
Valid active U.S. social-work license in good standing gives the § 7008.9 competency presumption, notwithstanding § 7008.7-.8.
Competency
Establish current competency under § 3-1205.11(c); any Board re-entry plan is a condition. These defining provisions prescribe no named examination.
Continuing Education
Unless exempt under § 7008.2, complete 40 approved CE hours in the preceding two years including six live ethics/conduct/boundary hours, two LGBTQ hours and 10% public-health priorities; no more than 12 independent/distance/internet hours; provide § 7008.12 proof.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Fee
Pay the reactivation fee.
Prior License
Inactive Licensed Graduate Social Worker license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-03-06.

Reactivation after more than five years inactive
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Competency
Establish current competency under § 3-1205.11(c); any Board re-entry plan is a condition. These defining provisions prescribe no named examination.
Continuing Education
Unless exempt under § 7008.2, complete 40 approved CE hours in the preceding two years including six live ethics/conduct/boundary hours, two LGBTQ hours and 10% public-health priorities; no more than 12 independent/distance/internet hours; provide § 7008.12 proof.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Fee
Pay the reactivation fee.
Inactive Duration
More than five years inactive.
Prior License
Inactive Licensed Graduate Social Worker license.
Supervised Return
The Board may require up to 12 months supervised practice and quarterly competency reports under § 7008.8.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-03-06.

Reactivation after no more than five years inactive
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Competency
Establish current competency under § 3-1205.11(c); any Board re-entry plan is a condition. These defining provisions prescribe no named examination.
Continuing Education
Unless exempt under § 7008.2, complete 40 approved CE hours in the preceding two years including six live ethics/conduct/boundary hours, two LGBTQ hours and 10% public-health priorities; no more than 12 independent/distance/internet hours; provide § 7008.12 proof.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Fee
Pay the reactivation fee.
Inactive Duration
Five years or less inactive.
Prior License
Inactive Licensed Graduate Social Worker license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-03-06.

Conditional licensure by reciprocity
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Under § 7006.2 submit completed online application, identifying information or sworn no-SSN affidavit, digital facial photo, certified transcript, two professional references and one personal reference, required documents and fees. The Board checklist also requests government photo ID, name-change documents when applicable, work-experience form, and screening/Clean Hands explanations.
Board Determination
The Board must determine equivalency and like admission. The 2015 Board instructions state there is no standing or automatic reciprocity agreement; that statement does not erase the conditional statutory route.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Existing License
Good-standing U.S. social-work licensure under substantially equivalent requirements and reciprocal admission of DC licensees, documented as required by § 3-1205.07(a)(2) and § 4014.1.
Fitness
Meet occupation-related conviction, license-standing and pending-discipline requirements under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(1), (6) and (7).
Initial Examination Exemption
D.C. Code §§ 3-1205.06(f) and 3-1208.02(a) exempt initial LGSW issuance. The examination pathway is an applicant election under § 7006.9, also offered in the Board announcement; passing the exam is an option for first renewal, not a statutory initial-issuance prerequisite.
Minimum Age
At least 18 under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(2).
Waiver Discretion
§ 3-1205.06(e)(1) authorizes but does not exercise a Board examination waiver for endorsement or reciprocity.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-03-06.

Licensure after re examination
ASWB Masters Exam
Application
Under § 7006.2 submit completed online application, identifying information or sworn no-SSN affidavit, digital facial photo, certified transcript, two professional references and one personal reference, required documents and fees. The Board checklist also requests government photo ID, name-change documents when applicable, work-experience form, and screening/Clean Hands explanations.
Board Equivalent Exam
The Board may approve another equivalent examination under § 7004.1; this open approval slot specifies no further named exam.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Education
CSWE-accredited social-work master’s degree or doctorate under D.C. Code § 3-1208.02.
Failed Examination
After two failed attempts the Board may require remediation; after four an approved review course; after six an additional year of appropriate supervised practice under § 7004.11-.14.
Fitness
Meet occupation-related conviction, license-standing and pending-discipline requirements under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(1), (6) and (7).
Initial Examination Exemption
D.C. Code §§ 3-1205.06(f) and 3-1208.02(a) exempt initial LGSW issuance. The examination pathway is an applicant election under § 7006.9, also offered in the Board announcement; passing the exam is an option for first renewal, not a statutory initial-issuance prerequisite.
Minimum Age
At least 18 under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(2).
Reexamination Application
The pinned checklist requires the initial application to be on file no more than one year before re-examination and lists an $85 application fee; abandoned applications require reapplication under the applicable rule.
Score Age
Under § 7004.5, a score older than five years requires retesting unless the Board accepts continuous U.S. licensure and practice since passing.
Score Submission
Submit ASWB-certified or validated results under § 7004.10.
Student Eligibility
§ 7005 permits Board authorization during the final semester or quarter based on institutional proof of expected degree and graduation; authorization lasts for two examinations or 120 days, whichever is first. Licensure cannot issue until proof of graduation is received.
Renewal after first renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Unless exempt under § 7008.2, complete 40 approved CE hours in the preceding two years including six live ethics/conduct/boundary hours, two LGBTQ hours and 10% public-health priorities; no more than 12 independent/distance/internet hours; provide § 7008.12 proof.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Filing
Renewal application, fee and continuing entitlement to licensure; late renewal within 60 days requires the late fee (§ 4005.5).
First Renewal Exemption
Ordinary CE is waived for first renewal under § 7008.2.
Prior License
Existing Licensed Graduate Social Worker license; excludes first LGSW renewal.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-03-06.

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker

One of the four statutory social-work licensing categories; secondary status and restoration requirements are recorded by route.

Licensing authority: District of Columbia Board of Social Work · Application information

Licensure by endorsement
ASWB Clinical Exam
Abandonment
§ 7007.3 closes an endorsement application after 90 days incomplete; reapply and submit required forms, documents and fees.
Application
Under § 7006.2 submit completed online application, identifying information or sworn no-SSN affidavit, digital facial photo, certified transcript, two professional references and one personal reference, required documents and fees. The Board checklist also requests government photo ID, name-change documents when applicable, work-experience form, and screening/Clean Hands explanations.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Equivalent Exam
The Board may approve another equivalent examination under § 7004.1; this open approval slot specifies no further named exam.
Existing License
Initial U.S. licensure by an equivalent-level exam and a current U.S. social-work license in good standing under standards the Board finds substantially equivalent at initial licensing (§ 7007.1).
Fitness
Meet occupation-related conviction, license-standing and pending-discipline requirements under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(1), (6) and (7).
Minimum Age
At least 18 under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(2).
Score Age
Under § 7004.5, a score older than five years requires retesting unless the Board accepts continuous U.S. licensure and practice since passing.
Verification
Provide current-license copy and direct original-jurisdiction verification; the current checklist requests verification of all professional licenses ever held regardless of status.
Waiver Discretion
§ 3-1205.06(e)(1) authorizes but does not exercise a Board examination waiver for endorsement or reciprocity.
Licensure by examination
ASWB Clinical Exam
Application
Under § 7006.2 submit completed online application, identifying information or sworn no-SSN affidavit, digital facial photo, certified transcript, two professional references and one personal reference, required documents and fees. The Board checklist also requests government photo ID, name-change documents when applicable, work-experience form, and screening/Clean Hands explanations.
Board Equivalent Exam
The Board may approve another equivalent examination under § 7004.1; this open approval slot specifies no further named exam.
Clinical Coursework
§ 7004.2 requires 12 clinical academic credits from a CSWE-accredited program, including at least six in an MSW program. The alternatives that expired January 1, 2015 are not current routes.
Clinical Experience
Diagnosis and treatment of individuals, families and groups with psychosocial problems; the Board may approve psychiatrist or psychologist supervision for up to 1,500 hours under special circumstances (§ 3-1208.04(a)).
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Education
CSWE-accredited social-work master’s degree or doctorate under D.C. Code § 3-1208.04.
Experience Currency
Hours must be completed no more than five years before application; older experience requires lower-level licensure and an additional 3,000 hours under § 7006.8.
Fitness
Meet occupation-related conviction, license-standing and pending-discipline requirements under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(1), (6) and (7).
Minimum Age
At least 18 under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(2).
Outside District Experience
§ 7006.5-.7 requires legally recognized experience and an appropriately licensed or DC-qualifying supervisor. Remaining hours can be earned inside or outside DC; DC supervised practice requires the appropriate lower-level license.
Score Age
Under § 7004.5, a score older than five years requires retesting unless the Board accepts continuous U.S. licensure and practice since passing.
Score Submission
Submit ASWB-certified or validated results under § 7004.10.
Student Eligibility
§ 7005 permits Board authorization during the final semester or quarter based on institutional proof of expected degree and graduation; authorization lasts for two examinations or 120 days, whichever is first. Licensure cannot issue until proof of graduation is received.
Supervised Experience
At least 3,000 post-master’s/postdoctoral hours over two to four years under a qualified LICSW; at least 100 immediate face-to-face hours, satisfactory-or-better ratings and supervisor statements under § 7006.3-.4.
Initial licensure with protected conduct expedited review
ASWB Clinical Exam
Application
Under § 7006.2 submit completed online application, identifying information or sworn no-SSN affidavit, digital facial photo, certified transcript, two professional references and one personal reference, required documents and fees. The Board checklist also requests government photo ID, name-change documents when applicable, work-experience form, and screening/Clean Hands explanations.
Board Equivalent Exam
The Board may approve another equivalent examination under § 7004.1; this open approval slot specifies no further named exam.
Clinical Coursework
§ 7004.2 requires 12 clinical academic credits from a CSWE-accredited program, including at least six in an MSW program. The alternatives that expired January 1, 2015 are not current routes.
Clinical Experience
Diagnosis and treatment of individuals, families and groups with psychosocial problems; the Board may approve psychiatrist or psychologist supervision for up to 1,500 hours under special circumstances (§ 3-1208.04(a)).
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Education
CSWE-accredited social-work master’s degree or doctorate under D.C. Code § 3-1208.04.
Experience Currency
Hours must be completed no more than five years before application; older experience requires lower-level licensure and an additional 3,000 hours under § 7006.8.
Fitness
Meet occupation-related conviction, license-standing and pending-discipline requirements under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(1), (6) and (7).
Minimum Age
At least 18 under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(2).
Outside District Experience
§ 7006.5-.7 requires legally recognized experience and an appropriately licensed or DC-qualifying supervisor. Remaining hours can be earned inside or outside DC; DC supervised practice requires the appropriate lower-level license.
Protected Conduct
Expedited review under § 3-1205.01a applies to a license suspended or revoked elsewhere solely for District-permitted conduct in § 3-1205.14(e-1), including gender-affirming behavioral healthcare. Priority changes; social-work qualifications remain applicable.
Score Age
Under § 7004.5, a score older than five years requires retesting unless the Board accepts continuous U.S. licensure and practice since passing.
Score Submission
Submit ASWB-certified or validated results under § 7004.10.
Student Eligibility
§ 7005 permits Board authorization during the final semester or quarter based on institutional proof of expected degree and graduation; authorization lasts for two examinations or 120 days, whichever is first. Licensure cannot issue until proof of graduation is received.
Supervised Experience
At least 3,000 post-master’s/postdoctoral hours over two to four years under a qualified LICSW; at least 100 immediate face-to-face hours, satisfactory-or-better ratings and supervisor statements under § 7006.3-.4.
Reinstatement of expired license within five years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Unless exempt under § 7008.2, complete 40 approved CE hours in the preceding two years including six live ethics/conduct/boundary hours, two LGBTQ hours and 10% public-health priorities; no more than 12 independent/distance/internet hours; provide § 7008.12 proof.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Expired License
Apply within five years after expiration under § 3-1205.12(a)(1), pay reinstatement fees and document qualification and competency.
Five Year Boundary Difference
The statute permits reinstatement within five years. The lower-ranked § 7008.11 states: 7008.11 An applicant whose license has expired for five (5) or more years shall not be eligible for reinstatement of licensure. The applicant shall be required to apply for a new license and shall meet the requirements as they exist at the time that the applicant applies for licensure. The statutory boundary controls; the rule’s new-application demand is a condition.
Inactive Practice
After more than two years away from active practice, the Board may require competency proof, training, unspecified testing or practice monitoring under § 3-1205.12(c). No registered exam is identified in this discretion.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-03-06.

Licensure by examination with foreign equivalent education
ASWB Clinical Exam
Application
Under § 7006.2 submit completed online application, identifying information or sworn no-SSN affidavit, digital facial photo, certified transcript, two professional references and one personal reference, required documents and fees. The Board checklist also requests government photo ID, name-change documents when applicable, work-experience form, and screening/Clean Hands explanations.
Board Equivalent Exam
The Board may approve another equivalent examination under § 7004.1; this open approval slot specifies no further named exam.
Clinical Coursework
§ 7004.2 requires 12 clinical academic credits from a CSWE-accredited program, including at least six in an MSW program. The alternatives that expired January 1, 2015 are not current routes.
Clinical Experience
Diagnosis and treatment of individuals, families and groups with psychosocial problems; the Board may approve psychiatrist or psychologist supervision for up to 1,500 hours under special circumstances (§ 3-1208.04(a)).
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Education
CSWE-accredited social-work master’s degree or doctorate under D.C. Code § 3-1208.04.
Experience Currency
Hours must be completed no more than five years before application; older experience requires lower-level licensure and an additional 3,000 hours under § 7006.8.
Fitness
Meet occupation-related conviction, license-standing and pending-discipline requirements under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(1), (6) and (7).
Foreign Education
§ 7003 requires Board-approved equivalency, CSWE Foreign Equivalency Determination Service certification, and signed Board-acceptable English translations of non-English documents.
Minimum Age
At least 18 under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(2).
Outside District Experience
§ 7006.5-.7 requires legally recognized experience and an appropriately licensed or DC-qualifying supervisor. Remaining hours can be earned inside or outside DC; DC supervised practice requires the appropriate lower-level license.
Score Age
Under § 7004.5, a score older than five years requires retesting unless the Board accepts continuous U.S. licensure and practice since passing.
Score Submission
Submit ASWB-certified or validated results under § 7004.10.
Student Eligibility
§ 7005 permits Board authorization during the final semester or quarter based on institutional proof of expected degree and graduation; authorization lasts for two examinations or 120 days, whichever is first. Licensure cannot issue until proof of graduation is received.
Supervised Experience
At least 3,000 post-master’s/postdoctoral hours over two to four years under a qualified LICSW; at least 100 immediate face-to-face hours, satisfactory-or-better ratings and supervisor statements under § 7006.3-.4.
Military deployment relief for renewal or reinstatement
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Uncompleted required CE may be completed up to six months after discharge, return to inactive status or return from a war zone under § 4015.2.
Deployment
License active at deployment during U.S. active military operations; apply while serving or within six months after discharge or return to inactive military status, submit activation orders and pay renewal fee. § 4015.1 excuses reinstatement/late fees.
Prior License
Existing Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-03-06.

New application after more than five years expired
ASWB Clinical Exam
Application
Under § 7006.2 submit completed online application, identifying information or sworn no-SSN affidavit, digital facial photo, certified transcript, two professional references and one personal reference, required documents and fees. The Board checklist also requests government photo ID, name-change documents when applicable, work-experience form, and screening/Clean Hands explanations.
Board Equivalent Exam
The Board may approve another equivalent examination under § 7004.1; this open approval slot specifies no further named exam.
Clinical Coursework
§ 7004.2 requires 12 clinical academic credits from a CSWE-accredited program, including at least six in an MSW program. The alternatives that expired January 1, 2015 are not current routes.
Clinical Experience
Diagnosis and treatment of individuals, families and groups with psychosocial problems; the Board may approve psychiatrist or psychologist supervision for up to 1,500 hours under special circumstances (§ 3-1208.04(a)).
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Education
CSWE-accredited social-work master’s degree or doctorate under D.C. Code § 3-1208.04.
Experience Currency
Hours must be completed no more than five years before application; older experience requires lower-level licensure and an additional 3,000 hours under § 7006.8.
Expired License
Expired more than five years; § 3-1205.12(b) requires current new-application qualifications.
Fitness
Meet occupation-related conviction, license-standing and pending-discipline requirements under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(1), (6) and (7).
Minimum Age
At least 18 under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(2).
Outside District Experience
§ 7006.5-.7 requires legally recognized experience and an appropriately licensed or DC-qualifying supervisor. Remaining hours can be earned inside or outside DC; DC supervised practice requires the appropriate lower-level license.
Same Level Rule
§ 7001.2 bars a new same-level license while renewal or reinstatement remains available. After the statutory five-year limit, § 3-1205.12(b) and § 7008.11 govern new application.
Score Age
Under § 7004.5, a score older than five years requires retesting unless the Board accepts continuous U.S. licensure and practice since passing.
Score Submission
Submit ASWB-certified or validated results under § 7004.10.
Student Eligibility
§ 7005 permits Board authorization during the final semester or quarter based on institutional proof of expected degree and graduation; authorization lasts for two examinations or 120 days, whichever is first. Licensure cannot issue until proof of graduation is received.
Supervised Experience
At least 3,000 post-master’s/postdoctoral hours over two to four years under a qualified LICSW; at least 100 immediate face-to-face hours, satisfactory-or-better ratings and supervisor statements under § 7006.3-.4.
Reactivation while actively licensed elsewhere
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Active License Elsewhere
Valid active U.S. social-work license in good standing gives the § 7008.9 competency presumption, notwithstanding § 7008.7-.8.
Competency
Establish current competency under § 3-1205.11(c); any Board re-entry plan is a condition. These defining provisions prescribe no named examination.
Continuing Education
Unless exempt under § 7008.2, complete 40 approved CE hours in the preceding two years including six live ethics/conduct/boundary hours, two LGBTQ hours and 10% public-health priorities; no more than 12 independent/distance/internet hours; provide § 7008.12 proof.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Fee
Pay the reactivation fee.
Prior License
Inactive Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-03-06.

Reactivation after more than five years inactive
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Competency
Establish current competency under § 3-1205.11(c); any Board re-entry plan is a condition. These defining provisions prescribe no named examination.
Continuing Education
Unless exempt under § 7008.2, complete 40 approved CE hours in the preceding two years including six live ethics/conduct/boundary hours, two LGBTQ hours and 10% public-health priorities; no more than 12 independent/distance/internet hours; provide § 7008.12 proof.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Fee
Pay the reactivation fee.
Inactive Duration
More than five years inactive.
Prior License
Inactive Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker license.
Supervised Return
The Board may require up to 12 months supervised practice and quarterly competency reports under § 7008.8.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-03-06.

Reactivation after no more than five years inactive
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Competency
Establish current competency under § 3-1205.11(c); any Board re-entry plan is a condition. These defining provisions prescribe no named examination.
Continuing Education
Unless exempt under § 7008.2, complete 40 approved CE hours in the preceding two years including six live ethics/conduct/boundary hours, two LGBTQ hours and 10% public-health priorities; no more than 12 independent/distance/internet hours; provide § 7008.12 proof.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Fee
Pay the reactivation fee.
Inactive Duration
Five years or less inactive.
Prior License
Inactive Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-03-06.

Conditional licensure by reciprocity
ASWB Clinical Exam
Application
Under § 7006.2 submit completed online application, identifying information or sworn no-SSN affidavit, digital facial photo, certified transcript, two professional references and one personal reference, required documents and fees. The Board checklist also requests government photo ID, name-change documents when applicable, work-experience form, and screening/Clean Hands explanations.
Board Determination
The Board must determine equivalency and like admission. The 2015 Board instructions state there is no standing or automatic reciprocity agreement; that statement does not erase the conditional statutory route.
Board Equivalent Exam
The Board may approve another equivalent examination under § 7004.1; this open approval slot specifies no further named exam.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Existing License
Good-standing U.S. social-work licensure under substantially equivalent requirements and reciprocal admission of DC licensees, documented as required by § 3-1205.07(a)(2) and § 4014.1.
Fitness
Meet occupation-related conviction, license-standing and pending-discipline requirements under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(1), (6) and (7).
Minimum Age
At least 18 under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(2).
Score Age
Under § 7004.5, a score older than five years requires retesting unless the Board accepts continuous U.S. licensure and practice since passing.
Score Submission
Submit ASWB-certified or validated results under § 7004.10.
Student Eligibility
§ 7005 permits Board authorization during the final semester or quarter based on institutional proof of expected degree and graduation; authorization lasts for two examinations or 120 days, whichever is first. Licensure cannot issue until proof of graduation is received.
Waiver Discretion
§ 3-1205.06(e)(1) authorizes but does not exercise a Board examination waiver for endorsement or reciprocity.
Licensure after re examination
ASWB Clinical Exam
Application
Under § 7006.2 submit completed online application, identifying information or sworn no-SSN affidavit, digital facial photo, certified transcript, two professional references and one personal reference, required documents and fees. The Board checklist also requests government photo ID, name-change documents when applicable, work-experience form, and screening/Clean Hands explanations.
Board Equivalent Exam
The Board may approve another equivalent examination under § 7004.1; this open approval slot specifies no further named exam.
Clinical Coursework
§ 7004.2 requires 12 clinical academic credits from a CSWE-accredited program, including at least six in an MSW program. The alternatives that expired January 1, 2015 are not current routes.
Clinical Experience
Diagnosis and treatment of individuals, families and groups with psychosocial problems; the Board may approve psychiatrist or psychologist supervision for up to 1,500 hours under special circumstances (§ 3-1208.04(a)).
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Education
CSWE-accredited social-work master’s degree or doctorate under D.C. Code § 3-1208.04.
Experience Currency
Hours must be completed no more than five years before application; older experience requires lower-level licensure and an additional 3,000 hours under § 7006.8.
Failed Examination
After two failed attempts the Board may require remediation; after four an approved review course; after six an additional year of appropriate supervised practice under § 7004.11-.14.
Fitness
Meet occupation-related conviction, license-standing and pending-discipline requirements under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(1), (6) and (7).
Minimum Age
At least 18 under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(2).
Outside District Experience
§ 7006.5-.7 requires legally recognized experience and an appropriately licensed or DC-qualifying supervisor. Remaining hours can be earned inside or outside DC; DC supervised practice requires the appropriate lower-level license.
Reexamination Application
The pinned checklist requires the initial application to be on file no more than one year before re-examination and lists an $85 application fee; abandoned applications require reapplication under the applicable rule.
Score Age
Under § 7004.5, a score older than five years requires retesting unless the Board accepts continuous U.S. licensure and practice since passing.
Score Submission
Submit ASWB-certified or validated results under § 7004.10.
Student Eligibility
§ 7005 permits Board authorization during the final semester or quarter based on institutional proof of expected degree and graduation; authorization lasts for two examinations or 120 days, whichever is first. Licensure cannot issue until proof of graduation is received.
Supervised Experience
At least 3,000 post-master’s/postdoctoral hours over two to four years under a qualified LICSW; at least 100 immediate face-to-face hours, satisfactory-or-better ratings and supervisor statements under § 7006.3-.4.
Renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Unless exempt under § 7008.2, complete 40 approved CE hours in the preceding two years including six live ethics/conduct/boundary hours, two LGBTQ hours and 10% public-health priorities; no more than 12 independent/distance/internet hours; provide § 7008.12 proof.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Filing
Renewal application, fee and continuing entitlement to licensure; late renewal within 60 days requires the late fee (§ 4005.5).
First Renewal Exemption
Ordinary CE is waived for first renewal under § 7008.2.
Prior License
Existing Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-03-06.

Licensed Independent Social Worker

One of the four statutory social-work licensing categories; secondary status and restoration requirements are recorded by route.

Licensing authority: District of Columbia Board of Social Work · Application information

Licensure by endorsement
ASWB Advanced Generalist Exam
Abandonment
§ 7007.3 closes an endorsement application after 90 days incomplete; reapply and submit required forms, documents and fees.
Application
Under § 7006.2 submit completed online application, identifying information or sworn no-SSN affidavit, digital facial photo, certified transcript, two professional references and one personal reference, required documents and fees. The Board checklist also requests government photo ID, name-change documents when applicable, work-experience form, and screening/Clean Hands explanations.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Equivalent Exam
The Board may approve another equivalent examination under § 7004.1; this open approval slot specifies no further named exam.
Existing License
Initial U.S. licensure by an equivalent-level exam and a current U.S. social-work license in good standing under standards the Board finds substantially equivalent at initial licensing (§ 7007.1).
Fitness
Meet occupation-related conviction, license-standing and pending-discipline requirements under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(1), (6) and (7).
Minimum Age
At least 18 under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(2).
Score Age
Under § 7004.5, a score older than five years requires retesting unless the Board accepts continuous U.S. licensure and practice since passing.
Verification
Provide current-license copy and direct original-jurisdiction verification; the current checklist requests verification of all professional licenses ever held regardless of status.
Waiver Discretion
§ 3-1205.06(e)(1) authorizes but does not exercise a Board examination waiver for endorsement or reciprocity.
Licensure by examination
ASWB Advanced Generalist Exam
Application
Under § 7006.2 submit completed online application, identifying information or sworn no-SSN affidavit, digital facial photo, certified transcript, two professional references and one personal reference, required documents and fees. The Board checklist also requests government photo ID, name-change documents when applicable, work-experience form, and screening/Clean Hands explanations.
Board Equivalent Exam
The Board may approve another equivalent examination under § 7004.1; this open approval slot specifies no further named exam.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Education
CSWE-accredited social-work master’s degree or doctorate under D.C. Code § 3-1208.03.
Experience Currency
Hours must be completed no more than five years before application; older experience requires lower-level licensure and an additional 3,000 hours under § 7006.8.
Fitness
Meet occupation-related conviction, license-standing and pending-discipline requirements under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(1), (6) and (7).
Minimum Age
At least 18 under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(2).
Outside District Experience
§ 7006.5-.7 requires legally recognized experience and an appropriately licensed or DC-qualifying supervisor. Remaining hours can be earned inside or outside DC; DC supervised practice requires the appropriate lower-level license.
Score Age
Under § 7004.5, a score older than five years requires retesting unless the Board accepts continuous U.S. licensure and practice since passing.
Score Submission
Submit ASWB-certified or validated results under § 7004.10.
Student Eligibility
§ 7005 permits Board authorization during the final semester or quarter based on institutional proof of expected degree and graduation; authorization lasts for two examinations or 120 days, whichever is first. Licensure cannot issue until proof of graduation is received.
Supervised Experience
At least 3,000 post-master’s/postdoctoral hours over two to four years under a qualified LISW; at least 100 immediate face-to-face hours, satisfactory-or-better ratings and supervisor statements under § 7006.3-.4.
Initial licensure with protected conduct expedited review
ASWB Advanced Generalist Exam
Application
Under § 7006.2 submit completed online application, identifying information or sworn no-SSN affidavit, digital facial photo, certified transcript, two professional references and one personal reference, required documents and fees. The Board checklist also requests government photo ID, name-change documents when applicable, work-experience form, and screening/Clean Hands explanations.
Board Equivalent Exam
The Board may approve another equivalent examination under § 7004.1; this open approval slot specifies no further named exam.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Education
CSWE-accredited social-work master’s degree or doctorate under D.C. Code § 3-1208.03.
Experience Currency
Hours must be completed no more than five years before application; older experience requires lower-level licensure and an additional 3,000 hours under § 7006.8.
Fitness
Meet occupation-related conviction, license-standing and pending-discipline requirements under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(1), (6) and (7).
Minimum Age
At least 18 under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(2).
Outside District Experience
§ 7006.5-.7 requires legally recognized experience and an appropriately licensed or DC-qualifying supervisor. Remaining hours can be earned inside or outside DC; DC supervised practice requires the appropriate lower-level license.
Protected Conduct
Expedited review under § 3-1205.01a applies to a license suspended or revoked elsewhere solely for District-permitted conduct in § 3-1205.14(e-1), including gender-affirming behavioral healthcare. Priority changes; social-work qualifications remain applicable.
Score Age
Under § 7004.5, a score older than five years requires retesting unless the Board accepts continuous U.S. licensure and practice since passing.
Score Submission
Submit ASWB-certified or validated results under § 7004.10.
Student Eligibility
§ 7005 permits Board authorization during the final semester or quarter based on institutional proof of expected degree and graduation; authorization lasts for two examinations or 120 days, whichever is first. Licensure cannot issue until proof of graduation is received.
Supervised Experience
At least 3,000 post-master’s/postdoctoral hours over two to four years under a qualified LISW; at least 100 immediate face-to-face hours, satisfactory-or-better ratings and supervisor statements under § 7006.3-.4.
Reinstatement of expired license within five years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Unless exempt under § 7008.2, complete 40 approved CE hours in the preceding two years including six live ethics/conduct/boundary hours, two LGBTQ hours and 10% public-health priorities; no more than 12 independent/distance/internet hours; provide § 7008.12 proof.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Expired License
Apply within five years after expiration under § 3-1205.12(a)(1), pay reinstatement fees and document qualification and competency.
Five Year Boundary Difference
The statute permits reinstatement within five years. The lower-ranked § 7008.11 states: 7008.11 An applicant whose license has expired for five (5) or more years shall not be eligible for reinstatement of licensure. The applicant shall be required to apply for a new license and shall meet the requirements as they exist at the time that the applicant applies for licensure. The statutory boundary controls; the rule’s new-application demand is a condition.
Inactive Practice
After more than two years away from active practice, the Board may require competency proof, training, unspecified testing or practice monitoring under § 3-1205.12(c). No registered exam is identified in this discretion.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-03-06.

Licensure by examination with foreign equivalent education
ASWB Advanced Generalist Exam
Application
Under § 7006.2 submit completed online application, identifying information or sworn no-SSN affidavit, digital facial photo, certified transcript, two professional references and one personal reference, required documents and fees. The Board checklist also requests government photo ID, name-change documents when applicable, work-experience form, and screening/Clean Hands explanations.
Board Equivalent Exam
The Board may approve another equivalent examination under § 7004.1; this open approval slot specifies no further named exam.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Education
CSWE-accredited social-work master’s degree or doctorate under D.C. Code § 3-1208.03.
Experience Currency
Hours must be completed no more than five years before application; older experience requires lower-level licensure and an additional 3,000 hours under § 7006.8.
Fitness
Meet occupation-related conviction, license-standing and pending-discipline requirements under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(1), (6) and (7).
Foreign Education
§ 7003 requires Board-approved equivalency, CSWE Foreign Equivalency Determination Service certification, and signed Board-acceptable English translations of non-English documents.
Minimum Age
At least 18 under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(2).
Outside District Experience
§ 7006.5-.7 requires legally recognized experience and an appropriately licensed or DC-qualifying supervisor. Remaining hours can be earned inside or outside DC; DC supervised practice requires the appropriate lower-level license.
Score Age
Under § 7004.5, a score older than five years requires retesting unless the Board accepts continuous U.S. licensure and practice since passing.
Score Submission
Submit ASWB-certified or validated results under § 7004.10.
Student Eligibility
§ 7005 permits Board authorization during the final semester or quarter based on institutional proof of expected degree and graduation; authorization lasts for two examinations or 120 days, whichever is first. Licensure cannot issue until proof of graduation is received.
Supervised Experience
At least 3,000 post-master’s/postdoctoral hours over two to four years under a qualified LISW; at least 100 immediate face-to-face hours, satisfactory-or-better ratings and supervisor statements under § 7006.3-.4.
Military deployment relief for renewal or reinstatement
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Uncompleted required CE may be completed up to six months after discharge, return to inactive status or return from a war zone under § 4015.2.
Deployment
License active at deployment during U.S. active military operations; apply while serving or within six months after discharge or return to inactive military status, submit activation orders and pay renewal fee. § 4015.1 excuses reinstatement/late fees.
Prior License
Existing Licensed Independent Social Worker license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-03-06.

New application after more than five years expired
ASWB Advanced Generalist Exam
Application
Under § 7006.2 submit completed online application, identifying information or sworn no-SSN affidavit, digital facial photo, certified transcript, two professional references and one personal reference, required documents and fees. The Board checklist also requests government photo ID, name-change documents when applicable, work-experience form, and screening/Clean Hands explanations.
Board Equivalent Exam
The Board may approve another equivalent examination under § 7004.1; this open approval slot specifies no further named exam.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Education
CSWE-accredited social-work master’s degree or doctorate under D.C. Code § 3-1208.03.
Experience Currency
Hours must be completed no more than five years before application; older experience requires lower-level licensure and an additional 3,000 hours under § 7006.8.
Expired License
Expired more than five years; § 3-1205.12(b) requires current new-application qualifications.
Fitness
Meet occupation-related conviction, license-standing and pending-discipline requirements under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(1), (6) and (7).
Minimum Age
At least 18 under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(2).
Outside District Experience
§ 7006.5-.7 requires legally recognized experience and an appropriately licensed or DC-qualifying supervisor. Remaining hours can be earned inside or outside DC; DC supervised practice requires the appropriate lower-level license.
Same Level Rule
§ 7001.2 bars a new same-level license while renewal or reinstatement remains available. After the statutory five-year limit, § 3-1205.12(b) and § 7008.11 govern new application.
Score Age
Under § 7004.5, a score older than five years requires retesting unless the Board accepts continuous U.S. licensure and practice since passing.
Score Submission
Submit ASWB-certified or validated results under § 7004.10.
Student Eligibility
§ 7005 permits Board authorization during the final semester or quarter based on institutional proof of expected degree and graduation; authorization lasts for two examinations or 120 days, whichever is first. Licensure cannot issue until proof of graduation is received.
Supervised Experience
At least 3,000 post-master’s/postdoctoral hours over two to four years under a qualified LISW; at least 100 immediate face-to-face hours, satisfactory-or-better ratings and supervisor statements under § 7006.3-.4.
Reactivation while actively licensed elsewhere
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Active License Elsewhere
Valid active U.S. social-work license in good standing gives the § 7008.9 competency presumption, notwithstanding § 7008.7-.8.
Competency
Establish current competency under § 3-1205.11(c); any Board re-entry plan is a condition. These defining provisions prescribe no named examination.
Continuing Education
Unless exempt under § 7008.2, complete 40 approved CE hours in the preceding two years including six live ethics/conduct/boundary hours, two LGBTQ hours and 10% public-health priorities; no more than 12 independent/distance/internet hours; provide § 7008.12 proof.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Fee
Pay the reactivation fee.
Prior License
Inactive Licensed Independent Social Worker license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-03-06.

Reactivation after more than five years inactive
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Competency
Establish current competency under § 3-1205.11(c); any Board re-entry plan is a condition. These defining provisions prescribe no named examination.
Continuing Education
Unless exempt under § 7008.2, complete 40 approved CE hours in the preceding two years including six live ethics/conduct/boundary hours, two LGBTQ hours and 10% public-health priorities; no more than 12 independent/distance/internet hours; provide § 7008.12 proof.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Fee
Pay the reactivation fee.
Inactive Duration
More than five years inactive.
Prior License
Inactive Licensed Independent Social Worker license.
Supervised Return
The Board may require up to 12 months supervised practice and quarterly competency reports under § 7008.8.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-03-06.

Reactivation after no more than five years inactive
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Competency
Establish current competency under § 3-1205.11(c); any Board re-entry plan is a condition. These defining provisions prescribe no named examination.
Continuing Education
Unless exempt under § 7008.2, complete 40 approved CE hours in the preceding two years including six live ethics/conduct/boundary hours, two LGBTQ hours and 10% public-health priorities; no more than 12 independent/distance/internet hours; provide § 7008.12 proof.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Fee
Pay the reactivation fee.
Inactive Duration
Five years or less inactive.
Prior License
Inactive Licensed Independent Social Worker license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-03-06.

Conditional licensure by reciprocity
ASWB Advanced Generalist Exam
Application
Under § 7006.2 submit completed online application, identifying information or sworn no-SSN affidavit, digital facial photo, certified transcript, two professional references and one personal reference, required documents and fees. The Board checklist also requests government photo ID, name-change documents when applicable, work-experience form, and screening/Clean Hands explanations.
Board Determination
The Board must determine equivalency and like admission. The 2015 Board instructions state there is no standing or automatic reciprocity agreement; that statement does not erase the conditional statutory route.
Board Equivalent Exam
The Board may approve another equivalent examination under § 7004.1; this open approval slot specifies no further named exam.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Existing License
Good-standing U.S. social-work licensure under substantially equivalent requirements and reciprocal admission of DC licensees, documented as required by § 3-1205.07(a)(2) and § 4014.1.
Fitness
Meet occupation-related conviction, license-standing and pending-discipline requirements under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(1), (6) and (7).
Minimum Age
At least 18 under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(2).
Score Age
Under § 7004.5, a score older than five years requires retesting unless the Board accepts continuous U.S. licensure and practice since passing.
Score Submission
Submit ASWB-certified or validated results under § 7004.10.
Student Eligibility
§ 7005 permits Board authorization during the final semester or quarter based on institutional proof of expected degree and graduation; authorization lasts for two examinations or 120 days, whichever is first. Licensure cannot issue until proof of graduation is received.
Waiver Discretion
§ 3-1205.06(e)(1) authorizes but does not exercise a Board examination waiver for endorsement or reciprocity.
Licensure after re examination
ASWB Advanced Generalist Exam
Application
Under § 7006.2 submit completed online application, identifying information or sworn no-SSN affidavit, digital facial photo, certified transcript, two professional references and one personal reference, required documents and fees. The Board checklist also requests government photo ID, name-change documents when applicable, work-experience form, and screening/Clean Hands explanations.
Board Equivalent Exam
The Board may approve another equivalent examination under § 7004.1; this open approval slot specifies no further named exam.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Education
CSWE-accredited social-work master’s degree or doctorate under D.C. Code § 3-1208.03.
Experience Currency
Hours must be completed no more than five years before application; older experience requires lower-level licensure and an additional 3,000 hours under § 7006.8.
Failed Examination
After two failed attempts the Board may require remediation; after four an approved review course; after six an additional year of appropriate supervised practice under § 7004.11-.14.
Fitness
Meet occupation-related conviction, license-standing and pending-discipline requirements under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(1), (6) and (7).
Minimum Age
At least 18 under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(2).
Outside District Experience
§ 7006.5-.7 requires legally recognized experience and an appropriately licensed or DC-qualifying supervisor. Remaining hours can be earned inside or outside DC; DC supervised practice requires the appropriate lower-level license.
Reexamination Application
The pinned checklist requires the initial application to be on file no more than one year before re-examination and lists an $85 application fee; abandoned applications require reapplication under the applicable rule.
Score Age
Under § 7004.5, a score older than five years requires retesting unless the Board accepts continuous U.S. licensure and practice since passing.
Score Submission
Submit ASWB-certified or validated results under § 7004.10.
Student Eligibility
§ 7005 permits Board authorization during the final semester or quarter based on institutional proof of expected degree and graduation; authorization lasts for two examinations or 120 days, whichever is first. Licensure cannot issue until proof of graduation is received.
Supervised Experience
At least 3,000 post-master’s/postdoctoral hours over two to four years under a qualified LISW; at least 100 immediate face-to-face hours, satisfactory-or-better ratings and supervisor statements under § 7006.3-.4.
Renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Unless exempt under § 7008.2, complete 40 approved CE hours in the preceding two years including six live ethics/conduct/boundary hours, two LGBTQ hours and 10% public-health priorities; no more than 12 independent/distance/internet hours; provide § 7008.12 proof.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Filing
Renewal application, fee and continuing entitlement to licensure; late renewal within 60 days requires the late fee (§ 4005.5).
First Renewal Exemption
Ordinary CE is waived for first renewal under § 7008.2.
Prior License
Existing Licensed Independent Social Worker license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-03-06.

Licensed Social Work Associate

One of the four statutory social-work licensing categories; secondary status and restoration requirements are recorded by route.

Licensing authority: District of Columbia Board of Social Work · Application information

Licensure by endorsement

At least one of the following alternatives:

Abandonment
§ 7007.3 closes an endorsement application after 90 days incomplete; reapply and submit required forms, documents and fees.
Application
Under § 7006.2 submit completed online application, identifying information or sworn no-SSN affidavit, digital facial photo, certified transcript, two professional references and one personal reference, required documents and fees. The Board checklist also requests government photo ID, name-change documents when applicable, work-experience form, and screening/Clean Hands explanations.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Equivalent Exam
The Board may approve another equivalent examination under § 7004.1; this open approval slot specifies no further named exam.
Existing License
Initial U.S. licensure by an equivalent-level exam and a current U.S. social-work license in good standing under standards the Board finds substantially equivalent at initial licensing (§ 7007.1).
Fitness
Meet occupation-related conviction, license-standing and pending-discipline requirements under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(1), (6) and (7).
Minimum Age
At least 18 under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(2).
Score Age
Under § 7004.5, a score older than five years requires retesting unless the Board accepts continuous U.S. licensure and practice since passing.
Verification
Provide current-license copy and direct original-jurisdiction verification; the current checklist requests verification of all professional licenses ever held regardless of status.
Waiver Discretion
§ 3-1205.06(e)(1) authorizes but does not exercise a Board examination waiver for endorsement or reciprocity.
Licensure by examination

At least one of the following alternatives:

Application
Under § 7006.2 submit completed online application, identifying information or sworn no-SSN affidavit, digital facial photo, certified transcript, two professional references and one personal reference, required documents and fees. The Board checklist also requests government photo ID, name-change documents when applicable, work-experience form, and screening/Clean Hands explanations.
Board Equivalent Exam
The Board may approve another equivalent examination under § 7004.1; this open approval slot specifies no further named exam.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Education
CSWE-accredited BSW under D.C. Code § 3-1208.01.
Fitness
Meet occupation-related conviction, license-standing and pending-discipline requirements under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(1), (6) and (7).
Minimum Age
At least 18 under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(2).
Published Category Difference
§ 7004.6 calls this level Associate; the Board instructions updated March 3, 2015 specify “Bachelors, formerly known as Basic Examination for the LSWA”. Both named registered examinations are retained under § 7004.1’s Board-equivalent exam alternative. The Board’s category assignment and equivalency approval govern score acceptance; the texts do not establish automatic interchangeability.
Score Age
Under § 7004.5, a score older than five years requires retesting unless the Board accepts continuous U.S. licensure and practice since passing.
Score Submission
Submit ASWB-certified or validated results under § 7004.10.
Student Eligibility
§ 7005 permits Board authorization during the final semester or quarter based on institutional proof of expected degree and graduation; authorization lasts for two examinations or 120 days, whichever is first. Licensure cannot issue until proof of graduation is received.
Initial licensure with protected conduct expedited review

At least one of the following alternatives:

Application
Under § 7006.2 submit completed online application, identifying information or sworn no-SSN affidavit, digital facial photo, certified transcript, two professional references and one personal reference, required documents and fees. The Board checklist also requests government photo ID, name-change documents when applicable, work-experience form, and screening/Clean Hands explanations.
Board Equivalent Exam
The Board may approve another equivalent examination under § 7004.1; this open approval slot specifies no further named exam.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Education
CSWE-accredited BSW under D.C. Code § 3-1208.01.
Fitness
Meet occupation-related conviction, license-standing and pending-discipline requirements under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(1), (6) and (7).
Minimum Age
At least 18 under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(2).
Protected Conduct
Expedited review under § 3-1205.01a applies to a license suspended or revoked elsewhere solely for District-permitted conduct in § 3-1205.14(e-1), including gender-affirming behavioral healthcare. Priority changes; social-work qualifications remain applicable.
Published Category Difference
§ 7004.6 calls this level Associate; the Board instructions updated March 3, 2015 specify “Bachelors, formerly known as Basic Examination for the LSWA”. Both named registered examinations are retained under § 7004.1’s Board-equivalent exam alternative. The Board’s category assignment and equivalency approval govern score acceptance; the texts do not establish automatic interchangeability.
Score Age
Under § 7004.5, a score older than five years requires retesting unless the Board accepts continuous U.S. licensure and practice since passing.
Score Submission
Submit ASWB-certified or validated results under § 7004.10.
Student Eligibility
§ 7005 permits Board authorization during the final semester or quarter based on institutional proof of expected degree and graduation; authorization lasts for two examinations or 120 days, whichever is first. Licensure cannot issue until proof of graduation is received.
Reinstatement of expired license within five years
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Unless exempt under § 7008.2, complete 40 approved CE hours in the preceding two years including six live ethics/conduct/boundary hours, two LGBTQ hours and 10% public-health priorities; no more than 12 independent/distance/internet hours; provide § 7008.12 proof.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Expired License
Apply within five years after expiration under § 3-1205.12(a)(1), pay reinstatement fees and document qualification and competency.
Five Year Boundary Difference
The statute permits reinstatement within five years. The lower-ranked § 7008.11 states: 7008.11 An applicant whose license has expired for five (5) or more years shall not be eligible for reinstatement of licensure. The applicant shall be required to apply for a new license and shall meet the requirements as they exist at the time that the applicant applies for licensure. The statutory boundary controls; the rule’s new-application demand is a condition.
Inactive Practice
After more than two years away from active practice, the Board may require competency proof, training, unspecified testing or practice monitoring under § 3-1205.12(c). No registered exam is identified in this discretion.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-03-06.

Licensure by examination with foreign equivalent education

At least one of the following alternatives:

Application
Under § 7006.2 submit completed online application, identifying information or sworn no-SSN affidavit, digital facial photo, certified transcript, two professional references and one personal reference, required documents and fees. The Board checklist also requests government photo ID, name-change documents when applicable, work-experience form, and screening/Clean Hands explanations.
Board Equivalent Exam
The Board may approve another equivalent examination under § 7004.1; this open approval slot specifies no further named exam.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Education
CSWE-accredited BSW under D.C. Code § 3-1208.01.
Fitness
Meet occupation-related conviction, license-standing and pending-discipline requirements under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(1), (6) and (7).
Foreign Education
§ 7003 requires Board-approved equivalency, CSWE Foreign Equivalency Determination Service certification, and signed Board-acceptable English translations of non-English documents.
Minimum Age
At least 18 under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(2).
Published Category Difference
§ 7004.6 calls this level Associate; the Board instructions updated March 3, 2015 specify “Bachelors, formerly known as Basic Examination for the LSWA”. Both named registered examinations are retained under § 7004.1’s Board-equivalent exam alternative. The Board’s category assignment and equivalency approval govern score acceptance; the texts do not establish automatic interchangeability.
Score Age
Under § 7004.5, a score older than five years requires retesting unless the Board accepts continuous U.S. licensure and practice since passing.
Score Submission
Submit ASWB-certified or validated results under § 7004.10.
Student Eligibility
§ 7005 permits Board authorization during the final semester or quarter based on institutional proof of expected degree and graduation; authorization lasts for two examinations or 120 days, whichever is first. Licensure cannot issue until proof of graduation is received.
Military deployment relief for renewal or reinstatement
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Uncompleted required CE may be completed up to six months after discharge, return to inactive status or return from a war zone under § 4015.2.
Deployment
License active at deployment during U.S. active military operations; apply while serving or within six months after discharge or return to inactive military status, submit activation orders and pay renewal fee. § 4015.1 excuses reinstatement/late fees.
Prior License
Existing Licensed Social Work Associate license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-03-06.

New application after more than five years expired

At least one of the following alternatives:

Application
Under § 7006.2 submit completed online application, identifying information or sworn no-SSN affidavit, digital facial photo, certified transcript, two professional references and one personal reference, required documents and fees. The Board checklist also requests government photo ID, name-change documents when applicable, work-experience form, and screening/Clean Hands explanations.
Board Equivalent Exam
The Board may approve another equivalent examination under § 7004.1; this open approval slot specifies no further named exam.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Education
CSWE-accredited BSW under D.C. Code § 3-1208.01.
Expired License
Expired more than five years; § 3-1205.12(b) requires current new-application qualifications.
Fitness
Meet occupation-related conviction, license-standing and pending-discipline requirements under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(1), (6) and (7).
Minimum Age
At least 18 under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(2).
Published Category Difference
§ 7004.6 calls this level Associate; the Board instructions updated March 3, 2015 specify “Bachelors, formerly known as Basic Examination for the LSWA”. Both named registered examinations are retained under § 7004.1’s Board-equivalent exam alternative. The Board’s category assignment and equivalency approval govern score acceptance; the texts do not establish automatic interchangeability.
Same Level Rule
§ 7001.2 bars a new same-level license while renewal or reinstatement remains available. After the statutory five-year limit, § 3-1205.12(b) and § 7008.11 govern new application.
Score Age
Under § 7004.5, a score older than five years requires retesting unless the Board accepts continuous U.S. licensure and practice since passing.
Score Submission
Submit ASWB-certified or validated results under § 7004.10.
Student Eligibility
§ 7005 permits Board authorization during the final semester or quarter based on institutional proof of expected degree and graduation; authorization lasts for two examinations or 120 days, whichever is first. Licensure cannot issue until proof of graduation is received.
Reactivation while actively licensed elsewhere
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Active License Elsewhere
Valid active U.S. social-work license in good standing gives the § 7008.9 competency presumption, notwithstanding § 7008.7-.8.
Competency
Establish current competency under § 3-1205.11(c); any Board re-entry plan is a condition. These defining provisions prescribe no named examination.
Continuing Education
Unless exempt under § 7008.2, complete 40 approved CE hours in the preceding two years including six live ethics/conduct/boundary hours, two LGBTQ hours and 10% public-health priorities; no more than 12 independent/distance/internet hours; provide § 7008.12 proof.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Fee
Pay the reactivation fee.
Prior License
Inactive Licensed Social Work Associate license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-03-06.

Reactivation after more than five years inactive
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Competency
Establish current competency under § 3-1205.11(c); any Board re-entry plan is a condition. These defining provisions prescribe no named examination.
Continuing Education
Unless exempt under § 7008.2, complete 40 approved CE hours in the preceding two years including six live ethics/conduct/boundary hours, two LGBTQ hours and 10% public-health priorities; no more than 12 independent/distance/internet hours; provide § 7008.12 proof.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Fee
Pay the reactivation fee.
Inactive Duration
More than five years inactive.
Prior License
Inactive Licensed Social Work Associate license.
Supervised Return
The Board may require up to 12 months supervised practice and quarterly competency reports under § 7008.8.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-03-06.

Reactivation after no more than five years inactive
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Competency
Establish current competency under § 3-1205.11(c); any Board re-entry plan is a condition. These defining provisions prescribe no named examination.
Continuing Education
Unless exempt under § 7008.2, complete 40 approved CE hours in the preceding two years including six live ethics/conduct/boundary hours, two LGBTQ hours and 10% public-health priorities; no more than 12 independent/distance/internet hours; provide § 7008.12 proof.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Fee
Pay the reactivation fee.
Inactive Duration
Five years or less inactive.
Prior License
Inactive Licensed Social Work Associate license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-03-06.

Conditional licensure by reciprocity

At least one of the following alternatives:

Application
Under § 7006.2 submit completed online application, identifying information or sworn no-SSN affidavit, digital facial photo, certified transcript, two professional references and one personal reference, required documents and fees. The Board checklist also requests government photo ID, name-change documents when applicable, work-experience form, and screening/Clean Hands explanations.
Board Determination
The Board must determine equivalency and like admission. The 2015 Board instructions state there is no standing or automatic reciprocity agreement; that statement does not erase the conditional statutory route.
Board Equivalent Exam
The Board may approve another equivalent examination under § 7004.1; this open approval slot specifies no further named exam.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Existing License
Good-standing U.S. social-work licensure under substantially equivalent requirements and reciprocal admission of DC licensees, documented as required by § 3-1205.07(a)(2) and § 4014.1.
Fitness
Meet occupation-related conviction, license-standing and pending-discipline requirements under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(1), (6) and (7).
Minimum Age
At least 18 under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(2).
Score Age
Under § 7004.5, a score older than five years requires retesting unless the Board accepts continuous U.S. licensure and practice since passing.
Score Submission
Submit ASWB-certified or validated results under § 7004.10.
Student Eligibility
§ 7005 permits Board authorization during the final semester or quarter based on institutional proof of expected degree and graduation; authorization lasts for two examinations or 120 days, whichever is first. Licensure cannot issue until proof of graduation is received.
Waiver Discretion
§ 3-1205.06(e)(1) authorizes but does not exercise a Board examination waiver for endorsement or reciprocity.
Licensure after re examination

At least one of the following alternatives:

Application
Under § 7006.2 submit completed online application, identifying information or sworn no-SSN affidavit, digital facial photo, certified transcript, two professional references and one personal reference, required documents and fees. The Board checklist also requests government photo ID, name-change documents when applicable, work-experience form, and screening/Clean Hands explanations.
Board Equivalent Exam
The Board may approve another equivalent examination under § 7004.1; this open approval slot specifies no further named exam.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Education
CSWE-accredited BSW under D.C. Code § 3-1208.01.
Failed Examination
After two failed attempts the Board may require remediation; after four an approved review course; after six an additional year of appropriate supervised practice under § 7004.11-.14.
Fitness
Meet occupation-related conviction, license-standing and pending-discipline requirements under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(1), (6) and (7).
Minimum Age
At least 18 under D.C. Code § 3-1205.03(a)(2).
Published Category Difference
§ 7004.6 calls this level Associate; the Board instructions updated March 3, 2015 specify “Bachelors, formerly known as Basic Examination for the LSWA”. Both named registered examinations are retained under § 7004.1’s Board-equivalent exam alternative. The Board’s category assignment and equivalency approval govern score acceptance; the texts do not establish automatic interchangeability.
Reexamination Application
The pinned checklist requires the initial application to be on file no more than one year before re-examination and lists an $85 application fee; abandoned applications require reapplication under the applicable rule.
Score Age
Under § 7004.5, a score older than five years requires retesting unless the Board accepts continuous U.S. licensure and practice since passing.
Score Submission
Submit ASWB-certified or validated results under § 7004.10.
Student Eligibility
§ 7005 permits Board authorization during the final semester or quarter based on institutional proof of expected degree and graduation; authorization lasts for two examinations or 120 days, whichever is first. Licensure cannot issue until proof of graduation is received.
Renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Unless exempt under § 7008.2, complete 40 approved CE hours in the preceding two years including six live ethics/conduct/boundary hours, two LGBTQ hours and 10% public-health priorities; no more than 12 independent/distance/internet hours; provide § 7008.12 proof.
Criminal Background Check
Undergo the check required by 17 DCMR § 7000.3 and D.C. Code § 3-1205.22.
Filing
Renewal application, fee and continuing entitlement to licensure; late renewal within 60 days requires the late fee (§ 4005.5).
First Renewal Exemption
Ordinary CE is waived for first renewal under § 7008.2.
Prior License
Existing Licensed Social Work Associate license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-03-06.

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

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 Advanced Generalist 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 (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 — Professional values and principles (e.g., competence, social justice, integrity, dignity and worth of the person)
    • 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 — Principles and processes of obtaining informed consent
    • IA. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES — Identifying and resolving ethical dilemmas
    • 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 documentation (e.g., maintaining client records)
    • 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 — 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 — Responsible billing practices (e.g., managed care, insurance reimbursement, incident to billing)
    • IB. ETHICAL SERVICE DELIVERY — Ethical issues in supervision and management
    • 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)
    • 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 — Accessibility including language, physical, and cultural access (e.g., translation and interpretation, neurodiversity, American Sign Language)
    • 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 — 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 — Power differential and racial privilege (e.g., internalized racial and ethnic inferiority and superiority)
    • 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 — Dynamics of interpersonal relationships and relationship development (e.g., family, couples, groups, polyamory)
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Impact of poverty on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities (e.g., social determinants of health)
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Indicators of mental and emotional illness throughout the lifespan
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Biopsychosocial assessment model and related components and factors
    • 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 — Co-occurring disorders and conditions
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Characteristics of perpetrators of abuse, neglect, and exploitation
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Impact of caregiving on families
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Effects of physical and mental ability 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 — Indicators, dynamics, and impact of exploitation across the lifespan (e.g., financial, immigration status, trafficking)
    • 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 — Indicators and impact of addiction and substance use and abuse on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Factors influencing self- and body-image (e.g., culture, race, religion/spirituality, age, ability, trauma, gender, sexuality, size)
    • IIA. ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS — Typical and atypical physical, cognitive, emotional, and sexual 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 — 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, techniques, and instruments for assessing client/client system strengths, resources, needs, and challenges
    • 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 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 for assessing resilience and coping abilities
    • IIB. ASSESSMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES — Methods for obtaining sensitive and/or confidential information (e.g., substance use, sexual abuse)
    • 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 — 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 — 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 — Principles and techniques for building and maintaining a helping relationship (e.g., acceptance, empathy, rapport)
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — End of life practice (e.g., continuity of care, hospice, palliative care, stages of death and dying)
    • IIIA. PRACTICE CONCEPTS — Developing formal documents (e.g., grants, proposals, reports, evaluations)
    • 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 (printed in the guidebook as 'IIB.') — Verbal and nonverbal communication (e.g., body language, congruence, feedback)
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES (printed in the guidebook as 'IIB.') — Limit and boundary setting techniques
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES (printed in the guidebook as 'IIB.') — Emotional regulation techniques
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES (printed in the guidebook as 'IIB.') — Case management techniques (e.g., case recording, documentation, case presentation)
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES (printed in the guidebook as 'IIB.') — Methods of teaching coping and other self-care skills to clients
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES (printed in the guidebook as 'IIB.') — 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 (printed in the guidebook as 'IIB.') — Crisis intervention and treatment approaches
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES (printed in the guidebook as 'IIB.') — Stress management techniques
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES (printed in the guidebook as 'IIB.') — Methods and approaches for providing trauma-informed care for various types of trauma (e.g., complex, vicarious)
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES (printed in the guidebook as 'IIB.') — Contracting and goal-setting techniques (e.g., partializing, measurable objectives)
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES (printed in the guidebook as 'IIB.') — Methods for engaging and motivating voluntary and involuntary clients/client systems
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES (printed in the guidebook as 'IIB.') — Approaches to and methods of advocacy for needed services and resources
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES (printed in the guidebook as 'IIB.') — Principles of active listening and observation
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES (printed in the guidebook as 'IIB.') — Problem-solving models and approaches
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES (printed in the guidebook as 'IIB.') — Practice with clients experiencing loss, separation, and grief
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES (printed in the guidebook as 'IIB.') — Harm reduction techniques
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES (printed in the guidebook as 'IIB.') — Conflict resolution methods
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES (printed in the guidebook as 'IIB.') — Establishing service networks or community resources
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES (printed in the guidebook as 'IIB.') — Discharge, aftercare, wrap-around services, and follow-up
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES (printed in the guidebook as 'IIB.') — Anger management techniques
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES (printed in the guidebook as 'IIB.') — Psychoeducation methods
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES (printed in the guidebook as 'IIB.') — Group work techniques and approaches (e.g., developing and managing group processes and cohesion)
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES (printed in the guidebook as 'IIB.') — Family therapy models, interventions, and approaches
    • IIIB. INTERVENTION METHODS AND TECHNIQUES (printed in the guidebook as 'IIB.') — Techniques and methods for addiction intervention
    • 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 — Quality assurance (e.g., program reviews and audits by external sources)
    • 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)
    • IIID. SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION — Leadership and management techniques
    • 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 — Transference and countertransference within supervisory relationships
    • 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 — Organizational development, structure, and functioning (e.g., policies, procedures)
    • IIID. SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION — Employee recruitment, training, retention, performance appraisal, evaluation, and discipline
Examination sources

ASWB Associate 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 Associate exam shares the Bachelors exam questions and content outline but has a different passing score from the Bachelors exam
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 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