Choosing to enter the social work field is a huge decision, especially as social workers continue to be in increased demand across the United States. As of 2024, social workers were the country’s number one provider of mental health services, accounting for more than 60% of all mental health treatment. With that in mind, it should be no surprise that social work is one of the fastest-growing employment fields, and there are more than 700,000 social work opportunities in the United States alone.
Professional social workers are required to maintain a board certification status, and the ASWB exam offers aspiring social workers the chance to solidify their professional status and begin applying for jobs in the field. But before you prepare to take this exam, there are a few important things you need to know:
The ASWB exam was created by the Association of Social Work Board as an official licensing and certification exam for anyone looking to get into social work. Despite being headquartered in Virginia, the ASWB provides, develops, and maintains exams in the United States, Canada, and abroad. Ultimately, these exams are used to test social workers’ overall aptitude and determine whether they are suited to provide services to the community.
Because of the critical role social workers play in the lives of those they serve, ensuring that professional social workers have the skills needed to perform their duties isn’t just important; it’s vital. Without proper licensing and regulations, the community may be impacted by a lack of high-quality care. The ASWM exam was designed to protect local communities from harm and ensure that families and individuals are able to receive the support and resources they deserve.Â
Since the ASWB exam is a licensing tool, this test is a requirement for anyone looking to start a career in social work. This includes individuals who have recently graduated from a social work program from an accredited college or university.Â
Although you only need an associate’s degree to complete the ASWB exam registration, most successful test-takers have either a bachelor’s or a master’s degree in a related field. Last year, the ASWB exam was administered to more than 20,000 master’s degree students, while less than 500 were given to students with associate’s degrees.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that students with a 2-year degree can’t be successful while taking their licensing exam. Instead, it’s an indication of the exam’s comprehensive nature, which is why planning and taking the time to study thoroughly are essential.
That being said, it’s important to remember that social work is an incredibly rewarding field, and it is well worth taking the time to prepare for your ASWB exam.Â
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First and foremost, you’ll need to make sure that you have all the necessary qualifications to take the ASWB exam. Since slots for testing are limited, participants will need to be approved for testing before they can complete the registration process. These requirements can include:
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Once you gather all of your required documents, you can schedule an appointment at the nearest testing center. The ASWB exam is administered in person at select locations, which means you should be prepared to arrive at least 30 minutes before your testing time with a valid ID. Participants with learning disability and other medical conditions will also be given the opportunity to apply for accommodations prior to test day. This ensures that all applicants are treated with equal consideration, giving you the best chance to succeed.
Once you’ve finalized your appointment details, you’ll be asked to pay for your testing fees. On average, the ASWB exam costs around $230.Â
We recommend investing in high-quality exam preparation materials and taking practice exams before you schedule your test appointment, so you can increase your likelihood of passing and prevent yourself from needing to pay for multiple exams.Â
Despite being among the most rigorous professional licensing exams on the market, the average ASWB exam pass rate is a healthy 65%, even for participants with an associate’s degree. Typically, the pass rate for test-takers with a bachelor’s or master’s is higher, with these participants enjoying a pass rate of up 72%.
If you want to ensure you are fully prepared to pass the ASWB exam on the first try, there are exceptional resources available online to test-takers of all levels. Participants who invest in a pre-exam study program are significantly more likely to pass their ASWB exam and join the social work field with the insight they need to thrive.Â
At Social Work Exam Strategies, we’re committed to empowering the next generation of social workers with the support they need to pass their ASWB exam with flying colors. Our online study guides and exam preparation programs were designed with the ASWB exam in mind, giving you unparalleled insight into the challenging questions you’ll encounter during your test.
Most importantly, our exam prep materials were created by a practicing social worker with extensive experience in a wide range of clinical settings, and our exam study guides are packed with real-world exercises you can reference before, during, and after you’ve passed your ASWB exam.
To learn more about our ASWB exam preparation materials to kickstart your journey in the social work field, visit our online ASWB Comphrehensive Study Materials page today.
