SOCIAL WORKERS play a vital role in addressing child welfare, housing security, student well-being in schools, and substance use, among many other issues. According to a 2022 Bureau of Labor Statistics estimate, there are approximately 728,600 social workers in the United States, comprising the majority of the nation’s mental health professionals.

The demand for social workers is expected to grow faster than the average for all professions over the next decade. This increasing demand underscores the importance of regulatory bodies, such as the Board of Registration of Social Workers in Massachusetts, which ensures that social workers are well-trained and qualified.

An economic development bill approved by the Massachusetts House of Representatives includes a proposed amendment that seeks to eliminate the examination requirement for social work licensure. While the amendment is intended to support social workers, the Association of Social Work Boards strongly opposes this proposal.

Eliminating the examination requirement would undermine the quality of care provided by social workers to the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable residents. This change would place Massachusetts outside the standard set by nearly every other state. There are better ways to support social workers without reducing professional standards.

Licensing exams provide a uniform, objective measure of social work knowledge and skills. These exams, administered by the Association of Social Work Boards to its 64 members, including the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Social Workers, are crucial to the system that educates, prepares, licenses, and regulates social workers. Like doctors, nurses, lawyers, and teachers, social workers must demonstrate baseline competence and knowledge to deliver services to clients.

The push to remove the exam requirement stems from the association’s 2022 analysis showing demographic disparities in exam pass rates, particularly between Black and White test takers. The association published this data to start conversations about supporting test takers from all backgrounds. However, some have wrongly concluded that the exams are racially biased and should be eliminated.

For decades, the Association of Social Work Boards has collaborated with practicing social workers who represent the diversity of the profession in age, gender, race, ethnicity, and practice setting. Exam questions are developed by diverse groups of subject matter experts and undergo rigorous reviews, including anti-bias evaluations. The exams evolve to reflect current social work practices and needs, guided by diverse stakeholders who represent the communities served by social workers.

Licensing exams mirror broader social issues but are not the cause of disparities. Candidates bring varied experiences to the exams, reflecting inequities in society. Addressing these inequities requires policy solutions, not the elimination of professional standards.

A national survey by the Association of Social Work Boards found broad support for maintaining licensing exams. Among surveyed social workers, 78 percent agree that new social workers should take a licensing exam, and 73 percent believe removing the requirement would be a mistake. Support is particularly strong among people of color, with 82 percent agreeing that new social workers should be required to take an exam, and 75 percent strongly supporting the exam requirement.

The conversation about disparities in exam pass rates is important and necessary. However, eliminating the licensing exam requirement is not the solution. Instead, we should focus on providing additional support to licensure candidates, such as test preparation resources, mentorship programs, and addressing broader systemic inequities that affect educational and professional opportunities.

Maintaining licensing exams is crucial for ensuring that social workers are prepared to meet the diverse needs of Massachusetts residents. We urge the Massachusetts Legislature to reconsider the proposed elimination of this requirement and to support alternative measures that address systemic inequities in exam pass rates without compromising professional standards. By upholding rigorous licensure standards, we can ensure that all social workers are equipped to provide the highest quality care to those who need it most.

Stacey Hardy-Chandler is the CEO of the Association of Social Work Boards.