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Kentucky Social Work — Requirements & Free Practice

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Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

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

Certified Social Worker (CSW)

Graduate social work license; clinical practice additionally requires a Board-approved supervision contract.

Licensing authority: Kentucky Board of Social Work · Application information

Reinstatement after disciplinary action
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Background Check
KRS 335.075 requires the fingerprint-supported state and national investigation for reinstatement.
Board Discretion
Board investigates and may reinstate after finding compliance with imposed terms and competence to practice; comply with the individual order and applicable requirements of 201 KAR 23:051 Section 5.
Fees And CE
The Board may require the initial-application fee; applicable expired-license CE is 30 hours in the preceding three years, or conditional six-month completion under 201 KAR 23:075 Section 10.
Former License
Previously held the corresponding Kentucky license; for revocation, petition no sooner than five years after revocation.
Other Assessment
Any health/competence examination by a psychologist, physician or alcohol/drug counselor under 201 KAR 23:150 Section 12 is an applicant condition, not a registered social-work licensing examination.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-07-15.

Initial licensure by examination
ASWB Masters Exam
Age
At least eighteen years old.
Application
Submit the signed Licensure Application Form or electronic application; supply full legal and prior names, SSN, contact details, employment and signed job description if employed, education history, official degree transcripts, and three professional competency references under 201 KAR 23:025 Section 2.
Approval
KRS 335.070 provides application-completeness notice and examination approval within fifteen days and license evaluation/issuance within forty-five days after a complete application, official passing score, and licensure fee.
Attestations
Affirm application truth; confirm reading KRS 335.010–335.160 and 201 KAR Chapter 23 including the Code of Ethical Conduct; consent to investigation and supply further information requested by the Board.
Background Check
KRS 335.075 requires a fingerprint-supported Kentucky State Police and FBI criminal background investigation for initial applicants and reinstatement applicants.
Clinical Practice
A CSW must obtain a written Board-approved LCSW supervision contract before clinical practice, be an employee with no direct or indirect ownership interest beyond employment, and cease clinical practice when the contract terminates.
Disclosures
Declare Kentucky and other-jurisdiction licensure, denied applications, professional discipline, and felony or no-contest history; supply license verifications, final disciplinary orders, court and probation records, releases, and payment evidence where applicable under 201 KAR 23:025 Section 2.
Early Application
The Board allows examination application six weeks before graduation using an unofficial transcript; issuance awaits the official awarded-degree transcript sent directly from the school.
Education
Master’s degree or doctorate in social work from a CSWE-accredited graduate school of social work under KRS 335.080 and 201 KAR 23:070 Sections 1–2.
Exam Timing
The current ASWB category remains a requirement when a qualifying passing score was obtained before applying. Official scores must reach the Board; prior qualifying results need not mean a new sitting.
Fees
Pay the $25 nonrefundable application fee, the applicable ASWB examination fee where taking the exam, and the initial license fee: LSW $75, CSW $125, or LCSW $200.
Reapplication after expiration of the grace period
ASWB Masters Exam
Application
Submit the signed Licensure Application Form or electronic application; supply full legal and prior names, SSN, contact details, employment and signed job description if employed, education history, official degree transcripts, and three professional competency references under 201 KAR 23:025 Section 2.
Approval
KRS 335.070 provides application-completeness notice and examination approval within fifteen days and license evaluation/issuance within forty-five days after a complete application, official passing score, and licensure fee.
Attestations
Affirm application truth; confirm reading KRS 335.010–335.160 and 201 KAR Chapter 23 including the Code of Ethical Conduct; consent to investigation and supply further information requested by the Board.
Background Check
KRS 335.075 requires a fingerprint-supported Kentucky State Police and FBI criminal background investigation for initial applicants and reinstatement applicants.
Board FAQConflict
The lower-ranked Board FAQ states: "You will not have to submit any CEUS because you will be applying as a new applicant. Your CEUS will not be due until your first renewal period." The effective CE rule controls; the Board Licensure page itself also describes the preceding-three-year CE requirements.
Continuing Education
201 KAR 23:075 Section 10 requires 30 hours in the preceding three years, with possible conditional six-month reinstatement to complete missing hours; those hours cannot also satisfy renewal.
Disclosures
Declare Kentucky and other-jurisdiction licensure, denied applications, professional discipline, and felony or no-contest history; supply license verifications, final disciplinary orders, court and probation records, releases, and payment evidence where applicable under 201 KAR 23:025 Section 2.
Exam Timing
The current ASWB category remains a requirement when a qualifying passing score was obtained before applying. Official scores must reach the Board; prior qualifying results need not mean a new sitting.
Expired License
More than the three-month grace period has elapsed, or an inactive license expired; submit a new application satisfying current initial-licensure requirements under 201 KAR 23:051 Section 4 and 23:055 Section 5.
Fees
Pay the $25 nonrefundable application fee, the applicable ASWB examination fee where taking the exam, and the initial license fee: LSW $75, CSW $125, or LCSW $200.
Score Report
The currently offered ASWB category remains a requirement; the Board may accept a prior passing score and request its official report rather than a new sitting.
Extension of inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing License
Existing corresponding license is inactive.
Request
Submit written extension request no sooner than ninety days before expiration, $50, and certificates of CE completed during inactive status satisfying 201 KAR 23:075.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-07-15.

Placement on inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Provide certificates proving required renewal CE (30 hours, with applicable required topics).
Existing License
Hold the corresponding license and request inactive status in writing no sooner than ninety days before expiration.
Fee
Pay $50 inactive-status fee; regular renewal fee is relieved.
Practice Status
Inactive status is not authorization to practice.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-07-15.

Renewal during the three month grace period
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board Page Instructions
The Board Licensure page describes this category as licenses expired three months or less; 201 KAR 23:051 governs the precise grace-period boundary.
Continuing Education
Complete 30 relevant CE hours per three-year period, including three hours on the Kentucky Code of Ethical Conduct; follow the recurring suicide-prevention, domestic violence/elder abuse, pediatric abusive head trauma, and applicable LCSW supervisor-course requirements in 201 KAR 23:075. KRS 335.130(5) additionally requires the stated pediatric controlled-substance ingestion/inhalation training for LSW and LCSW.
Existing License
Hold the corresponding Kentucky license.
Expiration
Apply after expiration but before the three-month grace period ends; cease practice immediately; submit completed CE and official employment/job-description evidence affirming cessation, reconcile reimbursements, and pay the renewal fee plus $100 penalty. After payment the license date is retroactive to expiration.
Military Fee Waiver
KRS 335.130 waives renewal fees during actual Armed Forces service and for six months after honorable discharge, separation or release.
No Automatic Background Check
KRS 335.075(5) prohibits a background check solely for renewal unless otherwise required by law.
Renewal Cycle
Renew every three years from initial issuance with Application for Renewal, current contact information, and required fees; update changed contact information within ten days.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-07-15.

Return to active status within the inactive period
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Documentation
Submit written request, current license renewal fee, and certificates of required CE completed during inactive status under 201 KAR 23:075.
Time Limit
Request reactivation within three years of being granted inactive status.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-07-15.

Regular three year renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Complete 30 relevant CE hours per three-year period, including three hours on the Kentucky Code of Ethical Conduct; follow the recurring suicide-prevention, domestic violence/elder abuse, pediatric abusive head trauma, and applicable LCSW supervisor-course requirements in 201 KAR 23:075. KRS 335.130(5) additionally requires the stated pediatric controlled-substance ingestion/inhalation training for LSW and LCSW.
Existing License
Hold the corresponding Kentucky license.
Military Fee Waiver
KRS 335.130 waives renewal fees during actual Armed Forces service and for six months after honorable discharge, separation or release.
No Automatic Background Check
KRS 335.075(5) prohibits a background check solely for renewal unless otherwise required by law.
Renewal Cycle
Renew every three years from initial issuance with Application for Renewal, current contact information, and required fees; update changed contact information within ten days.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-07-15.

Licensure using transferred Masters scores
ASWB Masters Exam
Age
At least eighteen years old.
Application
Submit the signed Licensure Application Form or electronic application; supply full legal and prior names, SSN, contact details, employment and signed job description if employed, education history, official degree transcripts, and three professional competency references under 201 KAR 23:025 Section 2.
Approval
KRS 335.070 provides application-completeness notice and examination approval within fifteen days and license evaluation/issuance within forty-five days after a complete application, official passing score, and licensure fee.
Attestations
Affirm application truth; confirm reading KRS 335.010–335.160 and 201 KAR Chapter 23 including the Code of Ethical Conduct; consent to investigation and supply further information requested by the Board.
Background Check
KRS 335.075 requires a fingerprint-supported Kentucky State Police and FBI criminal background investigation for initial applicants and reinstatement applicants.
Clinical Practice
A CSW must obtain a written Board-approved LCSW supervision contract before clinical practice, be an employee with no direct or indirect ownership interest beyond employment, and cease clinical practice when the contract terminates.
Disclosures
Declare Kentucky and other-jurisdiction licensure, denied applications, professional discipline, and felony or no-contest history; supply license verifications, final disciplinary orders, court and probation records, releases, and payment evidence where applicable under 201 KAR 23:025 Section 2.
Education
Master’s degree or doctorate in social work from a CSWE-accredited graduate school of social work under KRS 335.080 and 201 KAR 23:070 Sections 1–2.
Exam Timing
The current ASWB category remains a requirement when a qualifying passing score was obtained before applying. Official scores must reach the Board; prior qualifying results need not mean a new sitting.
Fees
Pay the $25 nonrefundable application fee, the applicable ASWB examination fee where taking the exam, and the initial license fee: LSW $75, CSW $125, or LCSW $200.
Out Of State License
Provide official verifications of licenses held or previously held elsewhere, a Masters-category ASWB Official Score Transfer Report, and the official graduate transcript. The Board has no reciprocal agreement; ordinary requirements apply.
Board approval of supervised clinical practice
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing License
Hold a Kentucky CSW license.
Supervision
Contract in writing with a qualified LCSW and obtain Board approval before beginning clinical practice; remain an employee without ownership interest, cease immediately if the contract terminates, then apply for LCSW or request contract extension.
Training And Contract
Complete the one-hour Board-approved supervisee training; submit the clinical contract and job description required by 201 KAR 23:070 Sections 4–5 and 12. This is approval of practice under an existing CSW license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-07-15.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

Clinical social work license requiring qualifying graduate education and supervised post-master experience.

Licensing authority: Kentucky Board of Social Work · Application information

Reinstatement after disciplinary action
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Background Check
KRS 335.075 requires the fingerprint-supported state and national investigation for reinstatement.
Board Discretion
Board investigates and may reinstate after finding compliance with imposed terms and competence to practice; comply with the individual order and applicable requirements of 201 KAR 23:051 Section 5.
Fees And CE
The Board may require the initial-application fee; applicable expired-license CE is 30 hours in the preceding three years, or conditional six-month completion under 201 KAR 23:075 Section 10.
Former License
Previously held the corresponding Kentucky license; for revocation, petition no sooner than five years after revocation.
Other Assessment
Any health/competence examination by a psychologist, physician or alcohol/drug counselor under 201 KAR 23:150 Section 12 is an applicant condition, not a registered social-work licensing examination.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-07-15.

Reapplication after expiration of the grace period
ASWB Clinical Exam
Application
Submit the signed Licensure Application Form or electronic application; supply full legal and prior names, SSN, contact details, employment and signed job description if employed, education history, official degree transcripts, and three professional competency references under 201 KAR 23:025 Section 2.
Approval
KRS 335.070 provides application-completeness notice and examination approval within fifteen days and license evaluation/issuance within forty-five days after a complete application, official passing score, and licensure fee.
Attestations
Affirm application truth; confirm reading KRS 335.010–335.160 and 201 KAR Chapter 23 including the Code of Ethical Conduct; consent to investigation and supply further information requested by the Board.
Background Check
KRS 335.075 requires a fingerprint-supported Kentucky State Police and FBI criminal background investigation for initial applicants and reinstatement applicants.
Board FAQConflict
The lower-ranked Board FAQ states: "You will not have to submit any CEUS because you will be applying as a new applicant. Your CEUS will not be due until your first renewal period." The effective CE rule controls; the Board Licensure page itself also describes the preceding-three-year CE requirements.
Continuing Education
201 KAR 23:075 Section 10 requires 30 hours in the preceding three years, with possible conditional six-month reinstatement to complete missing hours; those hours cannot also satisfy renewal.
Disclosures
Declare Kentucky and other-jurisdiction licensure, denied applications, professional discipline, and felony or no-contest history; supply license verifications, final disciplinary orders, court and probation records, releases, and payment evidence where applicable under 201 KAR 23:025 Section 2.
Exam Timing
The current ASWB category remains a requirement when a qualifying passing score was obtained before applying. Official scores must reach the Board; prior qualifying results need not mean a new sitting.
Expired License
More than the three-month grace period has elapsed, or an inactive license expired; submit a new application satisfying current initial-licensure requirements under 201 KAR 23:051 Section 4 and 23:055 Section 5.
Fees
Pay the $25 nonrefundable application fee, the applicable ASWB examination fee where taking the exam, and the initial license fee: LSW $75, CSW $125, or LCSW $200.
Score Report
The currently offered ASWB category remains a requirement; the Board may accept a prior passing score and request its official report rather than a new sitting.
Initial LCSW licensure with Kentucky supervised experience
ASWB Clinical Exam
Application
Submit the signed Licensure Application Form or electronic application; supply full legal and prior names, SSN, contact details, employment and signed job description if employed, education history, official degree transcripts, and three professional competency references under 201 KAR 23:025 Section 2.
Approval
KRS 335.070 provides application-completeness notice and examination approval within fifteen days and license evaluation/issuance within forty-five days after a complete application, official passing score, and licensure fee.
Attestations
Affirm application truth; confirm reading KRS 335.010–335.160 and 201 KAR Chapter 23 including the Code of Ethical Conduct; consent to investigation and supply further information requested by the Board.
Background Check
KRS 335.075 requires a fingerprint-supported Kentucky State Police and FBI criminal background investigation for initial applicants and reinstatement applicants.
Disclosures
Declare Kentucky and other-jurisdiction licensure, denied applications, professional discipline, and felony or no-contest history; supply license verifications, final disciplinary orders, court and probation records, releases, and payment evidence where applicable under 201 KAR 23:025 Section 2.
Documentation
Document two years of experience and 150 hours on the Supervised Experience Documentation Form signed by supervisor of record and each additional supervisor. A Kentucky CSW need not resubmit the graduate transcript or other-jurisdiction verifications specified as exempt by 201 KAR 23:025.
Education
Master’s or doctoral degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited institution.
Exam Timing
The current ASWB category remains a requirement when a qualifying passing score was obtained before applying. Official scores must reach the Board; prior qualifying results need not mean a new sitting.
Fees
Pay the $25 nonrefundable application fee, the applicable ASWB examination fee where taking the exam, and the initial license fee: LSW $75, CSW $125, or LCSW $200.
Older Checklist Conflict
The Board-hosted older checklist states "200 hours" and uses a five-year out-of-state threshold; the 2019 requirements chart also states 200 hours. Effective 201 KAR 23:025 and 23:070 require 150 hours, and Section 3 of 23:025 uses two years. Applicants should note the inconsistent Board materials.
Supervised Experience
At least two years of qualifying post-master clinical experience; 201 KAR 23:070 requires a minimum 150 supervision hours, including 100 individual hours and no more than 50 group hours, with individual supervision at least two hours every two weeks; at least 60% of experience must involve a direct client-professional relationship.
Supervision Contract
Obtain approval of the clinical supervision contract before counting Kentucky experience; complete the one-hour Board-approved supervisee course; supervisors must be qualified under 201 KAR 23:070. Supervision continues after passing the Clinical examination until the LCSW license is issued.
Extension of inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing License
Existing corresponding license is inactive.
Request
Submit written extension request no sooner than ninety days before expiration, $50, and certificates of CE completed during inactive status satisfying 201 KAR 23:075.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-07-15.

Placement on inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Provide certificates proving required renewal CE (30 hours, with applicable required topics).
Existing License
Hold the corresponding license and request inactive status in writing no sooner than ninety days before expiration.
Fee
Pay $50 inactive-status fee; regular renewal fee is relieved.
Practice Status
Inactive status is not authorization to practice.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-07-15.

Renewal during the three month grace period
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board Page Instructions
The Board Licensure page describes this category as licenses expired three months or less; 201 KAR 23:051 governs the precise grace-period boundary.
Continuing Education
Complete 30 relevant CE hours per three-year period, including three hours on the Kentucky Code of Ethical Conduct; follow the recurring suicide-prevention, domestic violence/elder abuse, pediatric abusive head trauma, and applicable LCSW supervisor-course requirements in 201 KAR 23:075. KRS 335.130(5) additionally requires the stated pediatric controlled-substance ingestion/inhalation training for LSW and LCSW.
Existing License
Hold the corresponding Kentucky license.
Expiration
Apply after expiration but before the three-month grace period ends; cease practice immediately; submit completed CE and official employment/job-description evidence affirming cessation, reconcile reimbursements, and pay the renewal fee plus $100 penalty. After payment the license date is retroactive to expiration.
Military Fee Waiver
KRS 335.130 waives renewal fees during actual Armed Forces service and for six months after honorable discharge, separation or release.
No Automatic Background Check
KRS 335.075(5) prohibits a background check solely for renewal unless otherwise required by law.
Renewal Cycle
Renew every three years from initial issuance with Application for Renewal, current contact information, and required fees; update changed contact information within ten days.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-07-15.

LCSW licensure using transferred Clinical scores
ASWB Clinical Exam
Application
Submit the signed Licensure Application Form or electronic application; supply full legal and prior names, SSN, contact details, employment and signed job description if employed, education history, official degree transcripts, and three professional competency references under 201 KAR 23:025 Section 2.
Approval
KRS 335.070 provides application-completeness notice and examination approval within fifteen days and license evaluation/issuance within forty-five days after a complete application, official passing score, and licensure fee.
Attestations
Affirm application truth; confirm reading KRS 335.010–335.160 and 201 KAR Chapter 23 including the Code of Ethical Conduct; consent to investigation and supply further information requested by the Board.
Background Check
KRS 335.075 requires a fingerprint-supported Kentucky State Police and FBI criminal background investigation for initial applicants and reinstatement applicants.
Board Page Conflict
The lower-ranked Board Licensure page additionally says: "documents that show you have been licensed in another state at the clinical level and/or your resume that shows you have been engaged in the active practice of clinical social work for five (5) years." The effective rule uses two years under Section 3(3), which governs this route.
Disclosures
Declare Kentucky and other-jurisdiction licensure, denied applications, professional discipline, and felony or no-contest history; supply license verifications, final disciplinary orders, court and probation records, releases, and payment evidence where applicable under 201 KAR 23:025 Section 2.
Documentation
If licensed elsewhere for less than two years, document two years post-master clinical practice and 150 supervision hours. The LCSW supervisor must have held clinical licensure for at least two years when supervising; provide official supervisor verification and resume, using Kentucky or equivalent detailed other-jurisdiction documentation.
Education
Master’s or doctoral degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited institution.
Exam Timing
The current ASWB category remains a requirement when a qualifying passing score was obtained before applying. Official scores must reach the Board; prior qualifying results need not mean a new sitting.
Fees
Pay the $25 nonrefundable application fee, the applicable ASWB examination fee where taking the exam, and the initial license fee: LSW $75, CSW $125, or LCSW $200.
Older Checklist Conflict
The Board-hosted older checklist states "200 hours" and uses a five-year out-of-state threshold; the 2019 requirements chart also states 200 hours. Effective 201 KAR 23:025 and 23:070 require 150 hours, and Section 3 of 23:025 uses two years. Applicants should note the inconsistent Board materials.
Score Transfer
Submit the Clinical-category ASWB Official Score Transfer Report and official verification of all licenses held elsewhere; no reciprocal agreement is currently implemented.
Supervised Experience
At least two years of qualifying post-master clinical experience; 201 KAR 23:070 requires a minimum 150 supervision hours, including 100 individual hours and no more than 50 group hours, with individual supervision at least two hours every two weeks; at least 60% of experience must involve a direct client-professional relationship.
LCSW licensure using transferred Clinical scores
ASWB Clinical Exam
Application
Submit the signed Licensure Application Form or electronic application; supply full legal and prior names, SSN, contact details, employment and signed job description if employed, education history, official degree transcripts, and three professional competency references under 201 KAR 23:025 Section 2.
Approval
KRS 335.070 provides application-completeness notice and examination approval within fifteen days and license evaluation/issuance within forty-five days after a complete application, official passing score, and licensure fee.
Attestations
Affirm application truth; confirm reading KRS 335.010–335.160 and 201 KAR Chapter 23 including the Code of Ethical Conduct; consent to investigation and supply further information requested by the Board.
Background Check
KRS 335.075 requires a fingerprint-supported Kentucky State Police and FBI criminal background investigation for initial applicants and reinstatement applicants.
Board Page Conflict
The lower-ranked Board Licensure page additionally says: "documents that show you have been licensed in another state at the clinical level and/or your resume that shows you have been engaged in the active practice of clinical social work for five (5) years." The effective rule uses two years under Section 3(3), which governs this route.
Disclosures
Declare Kentucky and other-jurisdiction licensure, denied applications, professional discipline, and felony or no-contest history; supply license verifications, final disciplinary orders, court and probation records, releases, and payment evidence where applicable under 201 KAR 23:025 Section 2.
Documentation
If licensed elsewhere for at least two years, document that two-year period using an official signed and dated job description or qualifying federal civilian or Armed Forces employment records under 201 KAR 23:025 Section 3(3).
Education
Master’s or doctoral degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited institution.
Exam Timing
The current ASWB category remains a requirement when a qualifying passing score was obtained before applying. Official scores must reach the Board; prior qualifying results need not mean a new sitting.
Fees
Pay the $25 nonrefundable application fee, the applicable ASWB examination fee where taking the exam, and the initial license fee: LSW $75, CSW $125, or LCSW $200.
Older Checklist Conflict
The Board-hosted older checklist states "200 hours" and uses a five-year out-of-state threshold; the 2019 requirements chart also states 200 hours. Effective 201 KAR 23:025 and 23:070 require 150 hours, and Section 3 of 23:025 uses two years. Applicants should note the inconsistent Board materials.
Score Transfer
Submit the Clinical-category ASWB Official Score Transfer Report and official verification of all licenses held elsewhere; no reciprocal agreement is currently implemented.
Supervised Experience
At least two years of qualifying post-master clinical experience; 201 KAR 23:070 requires a minimum 150 supervision hours, including 100 individual hours and no more than 50 group hours, with individual supervision at least two hours every two weeks; at least 60% of experience must involve a direct client-professional relationship.
Return to active status within the inactive period
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Documentation
Submit written request, current license renewal fee, and certificates of required CE completed during inactive status under 201 KAR 23:075.
Time Limit
Request reactivation within three years of being granted inactive status.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-07-15.

Regular three year renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Complete 30 relevant CE hours per three-year period, including three hours on the Kentucky Code of Ethical Conduct; follow the recurring suicide-prevention, domestic violence/elder abuse, pediatric abusive head trauma, and applicable LCSW supervisor-course requirements in 201 KAR 23:075. KRS 335.130(5) additionally requires the stated pediatric controlled-substance ingestion/inhalation training for LSW and LCSW.
Existing License
Hold the corresponding Kentucky license.
Military Fee Waiver
KRS 335.130 waives renewal fees during actual Armed Forces service and for six months after honorable discharge, separation or release.
No Automatic Background Check
KRS 335.075(5) prohibits a background check solely for renewal unless otherwise required by law.
Renewal Cycle
Renew every three years from initial issuance with Application for Renewal, current contact information, and required fees; update changed contact information within ten days.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-07-15.

Licensed Social Worker (LSW)

Nonclinical social work license; accredited BSW or Board-determined equivalent baccalaureate education.

Licensing authority: Kentucky Board of Social Work · Application information

Initial licensure by examination
ASWB Bachelors Exam
Application
Submit the signed Licensure Application Form or electronic application; supply full legal and prior names, SSN, contact details, employment and signed job description if employed, education history, official degree transcripts, and three professional competency references under 201 KAR 23:025 Section 2.
Approval
KRS 335.070 provides application-completeness notice and examination approval within fifteen days and license evaluation/issuance within forty-five days after a complete application, official passing score, and licensure fee.
Attestations
Affirm application truth; confirm reading KRS 335.010–335.160 and 201 KAR Chapter 23 including the Code of Ethical Conduct; consent to investigation and supply further information requested by the Board.
Background Check
KRS 335.075 requires a fingerprint-supported Kentucky State Police and FBI criminal background investigation for initial applicants and reinstatement applicants.
Disclosures
Declare Kentucky and other-jurisdiction licensure, denied applications, professional discipline, and felony or no-contest history; supply license verifications, final disciplinary orders, court and probation records, releases, and payment evidence where applicable under 201 KAR 23:025 Section 2.
Early Application
The Board FAQ allows examination application six weeks before graduation with an unofficial transcript; no license issues until the official transcript confirming the awarded degree arrives directly from the school.
Education
At least eighteen years old; baccalaureate degree from a CSWE-accredited social work or social welfare program under KRS 335.090(1).
Exam Timing
The current ASWB category remains a requirement when a qualifying passing score was obtained before applying. Official scores must reach the Board; prior qualifying results need not mean a new sitting.
Fees
Pay the $25 nonrefundable application fee, the applicable ASWB examination fee where taking the exam, and the initial license fee: LSW $75, CSW $125, or LCSW $200.
Licensure using transferred Bachelors scores
ASWB Bachelors Exam
Application
Submit the signed Licensure Application Form or electronic application; supply full legal and prior names, SSN, contact details, employment and signed job description if employed, education history, official degree transcripts, and three professional competency references under 201 KAR 23:025 Section 2.
Approval
KRS 335.070 provides application-completeness notice and examination approval within fifteen days and license evaluation/issuance within forty-five days after a complete application, official passing score, and licensure fee.
Attestations
Affirm application truth; confirm reading KRS 335.010–335.160 and 201 KAR Chapter 23 including the Code of Ethical Conduct; consent to investigation and supply further information requested by the Board.
Background Check
KRS 335.075 requires a fingerprint-supported Kentucky State Police and FBI criminal background investigation for initial applicants and reinstatement applicants.
Disclosures
Declare Kentucky and other-jurisdiction licensure, denied applications, professional discipline, and felony or no-contest history; supply license verifications, final disciplinary orders, court and probation records, releases, and payment evidence where applicable under 201 KAR 23:025 Section 2.
Education
At least eighteen years old; baccalaureate degree from a CSWE-accredited social work or social welfare program under KRS 335.090(1).
Exam Timing
The current ASWB category remains a requirement when a qualifying passing score was obtained before applying. Official scores must reach the Board; prior qualifying results need not mean a new sitting.
Fees
Pay the $25 nonrefundable application fee, the applicable ASWB examination fee where taking the exam, and the initial license fee: LSW $75, CSW $125, or LCSW $200.
Out Of State License
Hold or have held a social work license elsewhere and provide current official verifications directly from each issuing board, plus the ASWB Bachelors Official Transfer Score Report and official degree transcript.
Reciprocity
KRS 335.120 permits licensure without examination only where a reciprocal agreement exists. The Board Licensure page states: "Kentucky does not have reciprocity with any other states at this time." This application uses the regular Kentucky requirements with transferred scores.
Reinstatement after disciplinary action
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Background Check
KRS 335.075 requires the fingerprint-supported state and national investigation for reinstatement.
Board Discretion
Board investigates and may reinstate after finding compliance with imposed terms and competence to practice; comply with the individual order and applicable requirements of 201 KAR 23:051 Section 5.
Fees And CE
The Board may require the initial-application fee; applicable expired-license CE is 15 hours in the preceding three years, or conditional six-month completion under 201 KAR 23:075 Section 10.
Former License
Previously held the corresponding Kentucky license; for revocation, petition no sooner than five years after revocation.
Other Assessment
Any health/competence examination by a psychologist, physician or alcohol/drug counselor under 201 KAR 23:150 Section 12 is an applicant condition, not a registered social-work licensing examination.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-07-15.

Initial licensure by examination
ASWB Bachelors Exam
Application
Submit the signed Licensure Application Form or electronic application; supply full legal and prior names, SSN, contact details, employment and signed job description if employed, education history, official degree transcripts, and three professional competency references under 201 KAR 23:025 Section 2.
Approval
KRS 335.070 provides application-completeness notice and examination approval within fifteen days and license evaluation/issuance within forty-five days after a complete application, official passing score, and licensure fee.
Attestations
Affirm application truth; confirm reading KRS 335.010–335.160 and 201 KAR Chapter 23 including the Code of Ethical Conduct; consent to investigation and supply further information requested by the Board.
Background Check
KRS 335.075 requires a fingerprint-supported Kentucky State Police and FBI criminal background investigation for initial applicants and reinstatement applicants.
Disclosures
Declare Kentucky and other-jurisdiction licensure, denied applications, professional discipline, and felony or no-contest history; supply license verifications, final disciplinary orders, court and probation records, releases, and payment evidence where applicable under 201 KAR 23:025 Section 2.
Early Application
The Board FAQ allows examination application six weeks before graduation with an unofficial transcript; no license issues until the official transcript confirming the awarded degree arrives directly from the school.
Education
At least eighteen years old; baccalaureate degree with Board-determined equivalent coursework under KRS 335.090(1)(b)2 and 201 KAR 23:120. Required content: human behavior/social environment, social welfare policy/services, research, social work practice, and educational practicum. Section 2 specifies course-credit requirements, at least 450 practicum hours and two supervision hours weekly.
Exam Timing
The current ASWB category remains a requirement when a qualifying passing score was obtained before applying. Official scores must reach the Board; prior qualifying results need not mean a new sitting.
Fees
Pay the $25 nonrefundable application fee, the applicable ASWB examination fee where taking the exam, and the initial license fee: LSW $75, CSW $125, or LCSW $200.
Licensure using transferred Bachelors scores
ASWB Bachelors Exam
Application
Submit the signed Licensure Application Form or electronic application; supply full legal and prior names, SSN, contact details, employment and signed job description if employed, education history, official degree transcripts, and three professional competency references under 201 KAR 23:025 Section 2.
Approval
KRS 335.070 provides application-completeness notice and examination approval within fifteen days and license evaluation/issuance within forty-five days after a complete application, official passing score, and licensure fee.
Attestations
Affirm application truth; confirm reading KRS 335.010–335.160 and 201 KAR Chapter 23 including the Code of Ethical Conduct; consent to investigation and supply further information requested by the Board.
Background Check
KRS 335.075 requires a fingerprint-supported Kentucky State Police and FBI criminal background investigation for initial applicants and reinstatement applicants.
Disclosures
Declare Kentucky and other-jurisdiction licensure, denied applications, professional discipline, and felony or no-contest history; supply license verifications, final disciplinary orders, court and probation records, releases, and payment evidence where applicable under 201 KAR 23:025 Section 2.
Education
At least eighteen years old; baccalaureate degree with Board-determined equivalent coursework under KRS 335.090(1)(b)2 and 201 KAR 23:120. Required content: human behavior/social environment, social welfare policy/services, research, social work practice, and educational practicum. Section 2 specifies course-credit requirements, at least 450 practicum hours and two supervision hours weekly.
Exam Timing
The current ASWB category remains a requirement when a qualifying passing score was obtained before applying. Official scores must reach the Board; prior qualifying results need not mean a new sitting.
Fees
Pay the $25 nonrefundable application fee, the applicable ASWB examination fee where taking the exam, and the initial license fee: LSW $75, CSW $125, or LCSW $200.
Out Of State License
Hold or have held a social work license elsewhere and provide current official verifications directly from each issuing board, plus the ASWB Bachelors Official Transfer Score Report and official degree transcript.
Reciprocity
KRS 335.120 permits licensure without examination only where a reciprocal agreement exists. The Board Licensure page states: "Kentucky does not have reciprocity with any other states at this time." This application uses the regular Kentucky requirements with transferred scores.
Reapplication after expiration of the grace period
ASWB Bachelors Exam
Application
Submit the signed Licensure Application Form or electronic application; supply full legal and prior names, SSN, contact details, employment and signed job description if employed, education history, official degree transcripts, and three professional competency references under 201 KAR 23:025 Section 2.
Approval
KRS 335.070 provides application-completeness notice and examination approval within fifteen days and license evaluation/issuance within forty-five days after a complete application, official passing score, and licensure fee.
Attestations
Affirm application truth; confirm reading KRS 335.010–335.160 and 201 KAR Chapter 23 including the Code of Ethical Conduct; consent to investigation and supply further information requested by the Board.
Background Check
KRS 335.075 requires a fingerprint-supported Kentucky State Police and FBI criminal background investigation for initial applicants and reinstatement applicants.
Board FAQConflict
The lower-ranked Board FAQ states: "You will not have to submit any CEUS because you will be applying as a new applicant. Your CEUS will not be due until your first renewal period." The effective CE rule controls; the Board Licensure page itself also describes the preceding-three-year CE requirements.
Continuing Education
201 KAR 23:075 Section 10 requires 15 hours in the preceding three years, with possible conditional six-month reinstatement to complete missing hours; those hours cannot also satisfy renewal.
Disclosures
Declare Kentucky and other-jurisdiction licensure, denied applications, professional discipline, and felony or no-contest history; supply license verifications, final disciplinary orders, court and probation records, releases, and payment evidence where applicable under 201 KAR 23:025 Section 2.
Exam Timing
The current ASWB category remains a requirement when a qualifying passing score was obtained before applying. Official scores must reach the Board; prior qualifying results need not mean a new sitting.
Expired License
More than the three-month grace period has elapsed, or an inactive license expired; submit a new application satisfying current initial-licensure requirements under 201 KAR 23:051 Section 4 and 23:055 Section 5.
Fees
Pay the $25 nonrefundable application fee, the applicable ASWB examination fee where taking the exam, and the initial license fee: LSW $75, CSW $125, or LCSW $200.
Score Report
The currently offered ASWB category remains a requirement; the Board may accept a prior passing score and request its official report rather than a new sitting.
Extension of inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing License
Existing corresponding license is inactive.
Request
Submit written extension request no sooner than ninety days before expiration, $50, and certificates of CE completed during inactive status satisfying 201 KAR 23:075.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-07-15.

Placement on inactive status
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Provide certificates proving required renewal CE (15 hours, with applicable required topics).
Existing License
Hold the corresponding license and request inactive status in writing no sooner than ninety days before expiration.
Fee
Pay $50 inactive-status fee; regular renewal fee is relieved.
Practice Status
Inactive status is not authorization to practice.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-07-15.

Renewal during the three month grace period
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Board Page Instructions
The Board Licensure page describes this category as licenses expired three months or less; 201 KAR 23:051 governs the precise grace-period boundary.
Continuing Education
Complete 15 relevant CE hours per three-year period, including three hours on the Kentucky Code of Ethical Conduct; follow the recurring suicide-prevention, domestic violence/elder abuse, pediatric abusive head trauma, and applicable LCSW supervisor-course requirements in 201 KAR 23:075. KRS 335.130(5) additionally requires the stated pediatric controlled-substance ingestion/inhalation training for LSW and LCSW.
Existing License
Hold the corresponding Kentucky license.
Expiration
Apply after expiration but before the three-month grace period ends; cease practice immediately; submit completed CE and official employment/job-description evidence affirming cessation, reconcile reimbursements, and pay the renewal fee plus $100 penalty. After payment the license date is retroactive to expiration.
Military Fee Waiver
KRS 335.130 waives renewal fees during actual Armed Forces service and for six months after honorable discharge, separation or release.
No Automatic Background Check
KRS 335.075(5) prohibits a background check solely for renewal unless otherwise required by law.
Renewal Cycle
Renew every three years from initial issuance with Application for Renewal, current contact information, and required fees; update changed contact information within ten days.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-07-15.

Return to active status within the inactive period
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Documentation
Submit written request, current license renewal fee, and certificates of required CE completed during inactive status under 201 KAR 23:075.
Time Limit
Request reactivation within three years of being granted inactive status.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-07-15.

Regular three year renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing Education
Complete 15 relevant CE hours per three-year period, including three hours on the Kentucky Code of Ethical Conduct; follow the recurring suicide-prevention, domestic violence/elder abuse, pediatric abusive head trauma, and applicable LCSW supervisor-course requirements in 201 KAR 23:075. KRS 335.130(5) additionally requires the stated pediatric controlled-substance ingestion/inhalation training for LSW and LCSW.
Existing License
Hold the corresponding Kentucky license.
Military Fee Waiver
KRS 335.130 waives renewal fees during actual Armed Forces service and for six months after honorable discharge, separation or release.
No Automatic Background Check
KRS 335.075(5) prohibits a background check solely for renewal unless otherwise required by law.
Renewal Cycle
Renew every three years from initial issuance with Application for Renewal, current contact information, and required fees; update changed contact information within ten days.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-07-15.

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 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