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Bill to remove social work exam for BSW/MSW licensure frames workforce equity debate
Summary
Delegate Jamila Woods presented HB1521 to remove bachelor and master social work licensure examination requirements, citing racial disparities in pass rates and workforce shortages; opponents including the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) and the State Board raised concerns about safeguards and compact participation.
The Health and Government Operations Committee heard extended testimony on House Bill 15 21 (HB1521), which would eliminate the standardized ASWB examination requirement for Licensed Bachelor Social Workers (LBSW) and Licensed Master Social Workers (LMSW) while maintaining supervised practice and other safeguards.
Sponsor Delegate Jamila Woods said the multiple-choice exam has produced racially disparate pass rates and is not empirically linked to competent or…
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