The issue of licensure has been a serious conflict in social work organizations.
I can’t remember which podcast I initially heard the complaints of racism of the ASWB license exam, but here are some sources that get into it:
- https://www.insocialwork.org/locking-the-door-the-social-work-licensing-exam/
- https://www.socialworkers.org/News/News-Releases/ID/2531/ASWB-social-work-licensing-exam-pass-rate-data-confirm-concern-over-racial-disparities
- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/is-the-aswb-exam-racist/id1459188130?i=1000575413774
- https://www.hppr.org/hppr-news/2022-11-10/a-social-work-licensing-exam-that-people-of-color-fail-more-often-is-under-scrutiny-in-kansas
- https://dointhework.com/56-addressing-racism-in-social-work-licensing-stopaswb-charla-yearwood-lcsw-cassandra-walker-lcsw-cctp-alan-dettlaff-phd-msw/