The ASWB exam
The Association of Social Work Boards writes the licensing examinations that US and Canadian jurisdictions use to license social workers. There are five, they share one structure, and which one you sit is decided by your jurisdiction and your degree — not by you.
How the exam is built
- 122 questions
- 110 scored and 12 unscored pretest items. You are not told which are which.
- 2 sections of 61
- With a scheduled break between them. Once a section is submitted you cannot return to it.
- 240 minutes
- Four hours in total for the whole exam.
Pretest questions are being validated for future use. They have met every other standard a scored question meets, which is why they are indistinguishable during the exam — and why the only sensible approach is to treat every question as if it counts.
Exams are delivered at Pearson VUE test centers and scheduled per candidate. There is no central sitting calendar: you book when your board authorises you to test. Some jurisdictions require pre-approval through ASWB Licensing Services first — the Guidebook names Colorado, Maine, Texas, Utah.
ASWB sets the passing standard for each category and does not publish it as a percentage. Be wary of any preparation provider that tells you a percentage you need — including any that quotes a 0–200 scaled score, which is not how these exams are reported.
The content outline
Every category is built on the same 3 content areas and the same 10 competencies. What changes between them is the weighting and which applied knowledge statements are in scope.
I. Values and Ethics
Ethical Principles and Responsibilities · Ethical Service Delivery · Diversity and Social Justice
II. Assessment and Planning
Assessment Concepts · Assessment Methods and Techniques · Assessment Practices
III. Intervention and Practice
Practice Concepts · Intervention Methods and Techniques · Practice Evaluation and Research · Supervision and Administration
The five categories
Associate and Bachelors share one content outline and one question bank, and differ only in the passing standard. The other three each have their own.
- AssociateSWA · LSWA110 lessons · 2,004 practice questions · 35%/33%/32%
- BachelorsLBSW · LSW · LSWA110 lessons · 2,004 practice questions · 35%/33%/32%
- MastersLMSW · LGSW · LAMSW109 lessons · 1,987 practice questions · 35%/33%/32%
- Advanced GeneralistLISW · LMSW-AP · LCSW (non-clinical track)115 lessons · 2,051 practice questions · 35%/33%/32%
- ClinicalLCSW · LICSW · LCSW-C · LISW-CP116 lessons · 2,063 practice questions · 36%/32%/32%