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Virginia Board weighs alternative licensure pathways after large exam survey
Summary
The Board reviewed survey data showing broad support to keep the ASWB exam but also substantial backing for alternative pathways; the committee agreed to refer a proposal to the full board to allow at least one failed attempt and an additional supervised‑practice option.
The Virginia Board of Social Work ad hoc committee reviewed Healthcare Workforce Data Center survey results that show mixed but substantial support for the ASWB licensing exam and for alternative licensure pathways.
Dr. Barbara Hodgdon presented findings from the LCSW survey administered in late June–early July 2025 that attracted 9,044 responses and from LMSW/LBSW surveys in mid‑late August that drew 2,532 responses. Slides shown to the committee reported that roughly 70% of respondents supported maintaining the ASWB exam, while about 66% supported some form of an alternative pathway (options ranged from allowing an alternative with no failed exam required to allowing one or two failed attempts before an alternative). The presentation also noted that respondents under age 30 were less likely to support keeping the exam.
Committee chair Sherwood Randolph Jr. outlined provisional recommendations after the presentation, including continuing the exam while creating a supervised‑practice alternative and increasing transparency from ASWB about exam reliability and fairness. The committee agreed to advance a proposal to the full board to permit at least one failed exam attempt and to consider an alternative that would include an additional 3,000 hours of clinical supervision.
The presentation materials stated a majority of respondents want ASWB to provide documentation on exam reliability, validity and fairness and showed variations in views by age, supervisory status and race/ethnicity. The committee did not adopt a final rule at the meeting but set a next step to return the proposal to the full board for consideration.
