ASWB Exam Resources in Washington State

I make no guarantee to the qualifications or competence of those listed below. I do not endorse, approve of, or make any warranties or representations as to accuracy of the information contained in any site to which any user may be linked. I do not receive compensation for the referrals below.

Liberation Healing Seattle is intended to be used for informational purposes only.

Please do not treat Liberation Healing Seattle as a substitute for professional mental health advice. Liberation Healing Seattle will not be held responsible for your use or application of the information you obtain from Liberation Healing Seattle.

Person filling out an answer sheet with a pencil during a multiple-choice test.

aswb exam

ASWB Exam

Click on each box below to expand and see more ASWB exam resources.

    1. Graduate from an accredited MSW program

    2. Apply for a LSWAIC/LICSWA license

    3. Receive a LSWAIC/LICSWA license

    4. Apply for liability insurance

    5. Complete all required continuing education credit requirements annually for your LSWAIC/LICSWA

    6. Renew your LSWAIC/LICSWA annually and pay appropriate fees

    7. Accrue the appropriate and adequate amount of hours, experience and supervision toward your LICSW

    8. Submit your LICSW application online or physically via email to the Department of Health

    9. Wait for Authorization to Test email from ASWB

    10. Check processing times here

    11. Receive an email from ASWB with your individual registration numbers/ID

    12. Register for the exam and pay appropriate fees (as of 2024, this was $260)

    13. Review the: 1) ASWB Exam Guidebook, 2) Review the Candidate Rules Agreement, 3) Review the Confidentiality Statement, 4) Review your testing center rules

    14. Locate a testing center near you and schedule your testing appointment

    15. Study for the exam

    16. Take the exam

    17. Pass the exam

    18. Wait several more weeks for the Department of Health to issue you your LICSW. You can check the Provider Search. Usually about 4-12 weeks depending on time of season and other factors.

  • Test administration changes coming January 2, 2024

    ASWB is excited to be partnering with PSI for test administration beginning January 2, 2024.

    ASWB previously partnered with Pearson Vue.

    Read more here.

  • Sending your exam results to another state or province.

    You can do this virtually online or via fax.

    Click here to learn more.

  • Association of Social Work Boards

  • There are no “tricks” to passing the ASWB exam. Refer to my tips section.

    I personally did not enroll in a paid course, but know colleagues who did and found it helpful.

    Courses (Fee Based)

    YouTube Channels (Free)

    Flashcards (Free)

    • Quizlet (look at others and/or create your own deck)

    Reddit (Free)

    1. Review the ASWB course outline here.

    2. Review and study areas you are weaker/have challenges/lack adequate knowledge and experience in (starts on page 81 on the course outline above).

    3. Review the Social Work Code of Ethics.

    4. Review Social Work Laws in Washington State and nationwide.

    5. Consider what the question is asking (context and specificity). Not what you might actually do in practice in real life.

      1. For example, ethics question will usually ask, “What should you do?” while legal/law questions usually ask, “What do you have to/must do?”

      2. With ethical questions, there could be many correct answers, but they are asking what you should ethically do in this given context.

      3. With legal questions, there is only one correct answer based on the law.

    6. Pay for the sample ASWB exam here (as of 2024, costs $85) and take it to understand and experience what the exam is like, how it’s structured, what questions are asked.

    7. When taking the sample ASWB exam, try to emulate your workspace at home similar to how the workplace will be at the exam center at PSI.

    8. Have a study plan.

    9. Have a study partner or an accountability partner.

    10. I recommend studying for the exam 1-3 months prior. Anything longer than 3 months seems to be overwhelming and your recall may be lower, but this is up to you.

    11. Take good care of yourself before the exam, during, and after. Get a good night’s sleep, use relaxation techniques, affirmations, slow down and take your time, eat nutritious foods, drink water, move your body, treat yourself.

    12. Manage test anxiety. Slow down and breathe. Have a plan in place.

    13. If you feel like you need extra help, you can hire a reputable tutor or find a reputable exam prep course through an established organization like the NASW-WA or WSSCSW.

  • DOH contact

  • ASWB contact

  • The Social Work Licensing Exams are changing on Monday, August 3, 2026.

    These changes are part of the ongoing cycle of research and updates that ensure the licensing exams reflect current social work practice.

    Essentially, the exam will be easier than before.

    The 2026 exams will:

    • Be based on the 2026 blueprint, found in the ASWB Examination Guidebook

    • Test three content areas rather than four

    • Feature fewer questions overall

    • Increase the proportion of three-option multiple-choice questions

    • Include a higher proportion of questions that rely on the application of professional knowledge

    Some elements of the exam experience will not change:

    • Four-hour time limit

    • Exam fees

    • Exam scoring

    • Registration and scheduling procedures

    Read more here.