Upcoming Changes to the Social Work Licensing Exams
The social work licensing exams determine whether an aspiring social worker is ready to practice as a member of a profession that serves vulnerable client populations. Because the stakes are high — for licensure candidates and for the communities they hope to serve — ASWB adheres to rigorous exam development standards.
ASWB works regularly with a team of psychometricians and hundreds of volunteer social workers serving as subject matter experts to ensure the exams incorporate best practices and reflect current professional practice. In August 2026, ASWB will launch updated exams as part of its ongoing commitment to meeting and exceeding industry standards.
Developing the content and designing the structure of the 2026 social work licensing exams began in 2024 with an analysis of the practice of social work. A rigorous research process that gathers data through a survey of thousands of social workers, the practice analysis is required to ensure the exam remains current and relevant.
The 2026 exams will feature a new structure centering candidates’ experiences and a renewed focus on applied knowledge rather than simple recall of information.
The new exams will:
- Test three content areas rather than four, reflecting the consolidation of knowledge statements as determined through the practice analysis
- Feature fewer questions overall, reducing the number of both scored and pretest questions
- Increase the proportion of three-option multiple-choice questions
- Include a higher proportion of questions that rely on the application of professional knowledge through the use of problem-solving and reasoning
- Retain the four-hour time limit to complete an exam
- Continue to follow psychometric standards for valid, reliable, and fair exams
| 2018 exam format | 2026 exam format | |
| Four content areas | Three content areas | |
| 3- and 4-option multiple choice, with most questions having four options | 3- and 4-option multiple choice, with more questions having three options | |
| 150 operational questions | 110 operational questions | |
| 20 pretest questions | 12 pretest questions | |
| 4-hour time limit | 4-hour time limit |
ASWB will implement these changes in August 2026. Candidates who are currently registered for an exam should reference their Authorization to Test email. For questions related to board approval and exam registration, contact the Candidate Services Center.
In spring 2026, ASWB will provide additional information about the updates to the exams. This will include updated exam resources and a revised ASWB Examination Guidebook. Please stay tuned to the ASWB website and social media channels for the latest and most accurate information about updates to the social work licensing exams.
Read more about the exam development process behind these changes.