The social work licensure exam is developed and administered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) and it is a comprehensive, reliable, competency-based practice exam for the social work profession. It is a registration and licensure requirement administered throughout Canada, the USA and other countries. The exam that you will take is determined by your verified highest academic credential: social work diploma, bachelor or master of social work degree, or clinical advanced practice.
The social work licensure exam is administered through Pearson Professional Assessments. In Alberta, the exam is administered at test centre locations in Calgary and Edmonton. There is a fee to take the exam. Registrants are responsible for all costs associated with taking the exam, including the exam fee and any personal travel expenses incurred to take the exam at one of the test centre locations.
Who must take the Social Work Licensure Exam?
The social work licensure exam is a registration requirement for several application pathways, re-entry to practice and for the advanced practice clinical designation. The social work licensure exam is used to test a social worker’s competence to practice ethically and safely.
The following registrants are required to take the social work licensure exam:
- First Time Applicant: Three years post academic credential and never registered or licensed
- Internationally Educated Applicant: Qualifying academic credential completed in a country outside of Canada or the United States of America
- Reinstatement Applicant: Three years or longer since previous registration
- Inactive Registrant: Three years or longer with inactive registration status
- Substantial Equivalence Applicant: Applicants with a qualifying non-social work academic credential
The Exam Candidate Process
The social work licensure exam must be completed and passed within one year of receiving the exam requirement.
To begin the exam process, ACSW submits your name to the ASWB to become an exam candidate. You will receive a confirmation from ACSW.
Next, review the ASWB website and join the ASWB Central exam portal. Register to take the exam and pay the exam fee.
Once you have registered for the exam, visit the Pearson Professional Assessments website and schedule your exam.
Preparation
Preparing in advance to take the exam will be key to your success and help to reduce stress on exam day. ASWB provides valuable resources to help you prepare and are available in ASWB Central. Exam candidates are encouraged to review the ASWB Examination Guidebook and can purchase an online practice test. Candidates can take an online interactive tutorial to learn more about the exam platform used by Pearson Professional Assessments. ASWB provides support for exam candidates to develop a test-taking mastery mindset through the free Fifth-Theory Test Mastery Inclusion Program.
ASWB provides support and accommodations for candidates who may have a medical condition or disability, or if English is not your primary language. Accommodations are provided through a process called Nonstandard Testing Arrangements, which must be requested in advance of exam day. Candidates must submit requests in ASWB Central.
On exam day, you will receive your results before leaving the test centre. If your result did not achieve a passing score, you will be eligible to re-take the exam following the 90-day waiting period.
If you did not pass the exam, ACSW requires you to submit an exam preparation plan before a re-take will be scheduled. This plan will help you to reflect and prepare for a successful re-take.
ACSW permits candidates to take the social work licensure exam a maximum of three times.