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Licensing exam proposal draws opposition amid push for licensure compact and workforce solutions
Summary
Supporters of parity and alternative pathways for social‑work licensure argued the exam is a barrier for historically underrepresented groups; the Association of Social Work Boards and compact advocates opposed removing the exam, citing public protection and compact implementation concerns.
The committee heard competing views on social‑work licensure reform.
Christian King, a social worker with three decades at DCF and a leader in SEIU Local 509, urged inclusion of S.135, which would create alternative licensure pathways to address disparities in exam passage rates and help retention. King cited ASWB findings that Black and Latino examinees and multilingual candidates have much lower pass rates and said that licensure barriers contribute to staffing problems.
Representatives of the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) opposed S.135 and related House proposals to eliminate the licensing exam. Dr. Stacy Hardy Chandler, ASWB CEO and a licensed clinical social worker, said an objective exam is a core public‑protection safeguard and cautioned that removing an exam would create a “second class” level of licensure.
Jennifer Henkel, ASWB’s senior director for member engagement, noted the Social Work Licensure Compact (an interstate compact to enable practice across states) requires a universal competence assessment to ensure portability and public trust; she said eliminating the exam would hinder compact implementation and discourage states from joining.
Several witnesses suggested alternative workforce strategies — loan repayment, supervision credits, targeted grants — rather than removing the exam outright. SEIU and provider witnesses urged the committee to include parity measures and compact planning alongside workforce investments.
Ending: The committee received written and oral testimony on both sides and was asked to balance licensure portability goals, public protection and equity in licensure outcomes.
