NASW-Michigan's Statement on the Release of the 2022 ASWB Exam Pass Rate Analysis Report

Last week the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) released a long-awaited report on first-time pass rates (with demographics) for social workers who have taken their licensure test. This has been a long process resulting from years of advocacy from social work organizations (including NASW-Michigan), schools of social work, and advocates to force a report in which ASWB was not initially willing to release. In fact, Michigan schools of social work have been one of the leading voices nationally in pushing for this data release, and our schools have been conducting their own data review over the last year in order to best assist our Michigan social work community. 

The data presented shows the disparity in pass rates for people that have been historically oppressed, particularly for Black test-takers. The ASWB report particularly exposes the inherent bias within the test while showing, in data form, the harm being done to the profession and marginalized communities. The harm that historically oppressed communities have been reporting for years is now confirmed. Older social workers and social workers of color have been sounding the alarm on the potential bias in this exam, and ASWB has for decades stated that the information that was included in this report did not exist.  

ASWB graphic of eventual overall pass rates for the clinical exam

The report itself is not enough; unfortunately, ASWB’s proposed remedies fall woefully short of correcting the wrongs perpetrated by an organization that knew about these disparities but, for various reasons (including financial), appears to have looked away. All aspects of the social work community must now come together and propose meaningful changes on how licensure in this profession in Michigan is acquired. The road ahead specifically for Michigan social workers is not clear at this time, but it is unmistakable that we will need your help determining how we move forward as a state. 

ASWB provided Michigan specific data on first-time test taker pass rates by demographic group

NASW-Michigan has two scheduled community listening sessions to hear from social workers across the state and to build a plan of collective action. NASW-Michigan has also been in contact with the Michigan Board of Social Work to make sure they are a part of any future conversations and solutions. Our efforts together will need to be collaborative, inclusive, multi-year, multi-pronged, and will need to intersect the educational, practice, policy, and statute (licensure) levels of our profession. 

Please consider joining us at an upcoming community listening session:

• ASWB Exam Data Community Listening Session #1 (In Person) | Wednesday, October 19th from 6:30-7:30 PM
• ASWB Exam Data Community Listening Session #2 (Virtual) | Tuesday, November 15th from 5:30-7 PM

To view the data and read the full report from ASWB, click here>>>

Thank you for your continued membership, advocacy, and support of the social work profession.

Duane Breijak, LMSW-Macro

Executive Director | NASW-Michigan

Read NASW's Full Statement>>>