As We Head Into Summer, Where Does Social Work Licensure Modernization Stand?
Over the course of the past few months we have heard countless stories from NASW members and social workers across the state on how the current licensure structure impacts them and their hopes for change. Tomorrow, June 25th, we hope you join us for a longer-winded update on the Social Work Licensure Modernization Act and plans for continuing to advocate for a more equitable path towards licensure for social workers in Michigan. Register by clicking the button to the right.
In the meantime, a few of the major updates:
1. Through consultation with LARA and literature on equitable strategies for measuring safe and competent practice (such as Jenn Hirsh’s research that was discussed in my previous communication), t
he Social Work Licensure Modernization Act, House Bills 5184 & 5185 have been updated to include a Jurisprudence Exam to replace the ASWB exam.
What is a jurisprudence exam?
Jurisprudence exams are generally open book and their content is focused solely on the state specific laws and regulations that social workers need to be competent to identify and follow on a day to day basis.
Jurisprudence exam questions are not situational - they are not ‘gotcha’ like many of the ASWB exam questions are known to be.
Jurisprudence Exams are not new!
Other states such as Colorado, Indiana, New Mexico, Texas, Vermont, California, and Wisconsin already include a jurisprudence exam requirement for their social work licensure.
Additionally, several professions in Michigan already require jurisprudence exams for their licensure process, including physical therapists, podiatrists, optometrists, and occupational therapists.
2. The Behavioral Health Committee met Thursday, June 13th, and heard testimony from NASW-Michigan Executive Director, Duane Breijak, LMSW-Macro, as well as supporters of the bill. The Committee was engaged in these conversations and had useful questions and points of clarification that generated an exciting conversation about the bills and the hopes of the future of this licensure process. To view the recording, visit https://house.mi.gov/VideoArchive
3. Nationally there have been some exciting wins for new and improved paths towards licensure - of most recent was in Minnesota. They were able to pass their amended path towards licensure that took away the ASWB requirement. Click here to learn more.
We would look forward to sharing more about the above updates on licensure in Michigan at the Community Conversation Tuesday, June 25, from 5:30-6:30pm.
We will explore next steps, ways to get involved, and answer any questions you may have about what, why and how we are working to improve this process
for social workers in Michigan. Click here to RSVP.
If you have been impacted by the current licensure process and the ASWB exam in Michigan and are interested in sharing your story, you can utilize our Op-Ed Toolkit by clicking here.
You can also always reach out to NASW-Michigan Program Manager for Social Work Workforce, Jordan Freeman LMSW-Clinical, directly for support, help with sharing your story, and/or information on getting involved by emailing her at jfreeman.naswmi@socialworkers.org.
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