Breaking Barriers: Why Michigan's Social Work Licensure Exam Needs Reform

My name is Dewand Guyton, and I have been in the social work and human services field since 1991, starting as a community intern at Wayne State University. After 14 years out of school, I returned in 2009 to pursue my associate’s degree, knowing I needed further education to advance in my career. I graduated from Oakland Community College in 2011 with my Associate of Liberal Arts, entered the BSW program at Spring Arbor University in 2012, and completed my MSW there in 2016 all while working full-time. Since that first position in 1991, I have worked in a range of different areas within the field, including working with people with developmental disabilities, at residential facilities, and in hospitals. 

After earning my MSW, I worked with my LLMSW doing therapy under my supervisor, completing supervision hours and studying for the licensing exam. Once I completed my supervision hours, I went to take the exam and found it was nothing like I’d expected. It felt like a trick test with multiple correct answers, which did not feel fair! I failed the exam by just a couple of questions. They don’t provide any insight into what questions test takers answered wrong, so I wasn’t sure where I needed to focus or what I needed to spend time on to prepare to take it again. Since then, I have taken this exam four times, spending about $1200 on testing fees alone - not to mention an additional $2500 for supervision as an LLMSW. 

This test has held me back from getting my full license and has cost me valuable career opportunities. After graduating from an accredited social work program, an exam like this should not be the only deciding factor of whether I’m a qualified social worker. If I don't pass, I am not sure what my future will be in this field. I have struggled and overcome a lot both personally and academically to get my education. It is not right for myself and others, who have met all of the requirements from our respective colleges and universities to obtain our degrees, to then have to take a racially biased exam that is set up for Black and other people of color to fail. 

If Michigan’s licensure modernization legislation passes, I will be able to receive my full social work license, which would allow me to expand in this field and fulfill my hopes of working in private practice. This will also allow other social workers who have been eliminated out of the field to resume their careers. Passing this law will show us that we are essential and do not have to pass this faulty exam to prove ourselves...It is time to eliminate the test as a barrier to licensure! Passing this law is not just for me - it is for all my fellow social workers who deserve respect and support for the work we do in this field. While I fully support annual training and CEU requirements, this test is nothing more than another form of revenue for ASWB, which is disrespectful to social workers. 

I am a person who has been in this field for 33 years and has worked very hard to obtain all three of my degrees. I have worked in many areas of this field and feel that social work is a job that is not respected by society or by ASWB. I am fully invested in this field and am an advocate for my profession and other social workers. Every social worker who has met their educational requirements should be licensed, and those excluded by this exam should be reinstated and recognized for the essential work they do. It’s time to eliminate this test as a barrier to licensure!