Apgar - Social work ASWB clinical exam guide: a comprehensive study guide for success

i The following guides by Dawn Apgar are available from Springer Publishing to assist social workers with studying for and passing the ASWB examinations necessary for licensure.

Bachelors

The Social Work ASWB Bachelors Exam Guide: A Comprehensive Guide for Success, Second Edition

Test focuses on knowledge acquired while obtaining a Baccalaureate degree in Social Work (BSW). A small number of jurisdictions license social workers at an Associate level and require the ASWB Associate examination. The Associate examination is identical to the ASWB Bachelors examination, but the Associate examination requires a lower score in order to pass.

Masters

The Social Work ASWB Masters Exam Guide: A Comprehensive Guide for Success, Second Edition

Test focuses on knowledge acquired while obtaining a Masters degree in Social Work (MSW). There is no postgraduate supervision needed.

Clinical

The Social Work ASWB Clinical Exam Guide: A Comprehensive Guide for Success, Second Edition

Test focuses on knowledge acquired while obtaining a Masters degree in Social Work (MSW). It is usually taken by those with postgraduate supervised experience.

Advanced Generalist

The Social Work ASWB Advanced Generalist Exam Guide: A Comprehensive Guide for Success, Second Edition

Test focuses on knowledge acquired while obtaining a Masters degree in Social Work (MSW). It is usually taken by those with postgraduate supervised nonclinical experience.

ii Dawn Apgar, PhD, LSW, ACSW, has helped thousands of social workers across the country pass the ASWB examinations associated with all levels of licensure. In recent years, she has consulted in numerous states to assist with establishing licensure test preparation programs.

Dr. Apgar has done research on licensure funded by the American Foundation for Research and Consumer Education in Social Work Regulation and has served as chairperson of her states social work licensing board. She is a past President of the New Jersey Chapter of NASW and has been on its National Board of Directors. In 2014, the Chapter presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Apgar has taught in both undergraduate and graduate social work programs and has extensive direct practice, policy, and management experience in the social work field.

iii Social Work ASWB Clinical Exam Guide

A Comprehensive Study Guide for Success

Second Edition

Dawn Apgar, PhD, LSW, ACSW

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Apgar, Dawn, author. | Association of Social Work Boards.

Title: Social work ASWB clinical exam guide : a comprehensive study guide for success / Dawn Apgar, PhD, LSW, ACSW.

Description: Second edition. | New York, NY : Springer Publishing Company, [2018] | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2017034877 | ISBN 9780826147134

Subjects: LCSH: Social workersCertificationUnited States. | Psychiatric social workUnited StatesExaminationsStudy guides. | Social serviceUnited StatesExaminationsStudy guides. | Social serviceUnited StatesExaminations, questions, etc.

Classification: LCC HV40.52 .A736 2018 | DDC 362.2/0425076dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017034877

Printed in the United States of America by Gasch Printing.

v To Bill, Ryan, and Alex

You remind me what is important, support me so I can do it all, and always inspire me to be a better person vi

vii Contents

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xix Preface

Congratulations on getting to this point in your social work career. The decision to become licensed is significant, and passing the licensing examination demonstrates that you have the basic knowledge necessary to safely practice. Social workers are employed in all kinds of settings including hospitals, correctional facilities, mental health and addictions agencies, government offices, and private practices. It is essential that those served have some assurance that these practitioners are competent to provide the services that they are charged with delivering.

Regulation through certification and licensure helps to assure that social workers will interact in an ethical and safe manner, and there is oversight to address actions that are not consistent with this standard.

Passing the licensing exam is only one step in becoming certified or licensed, but it is usually the most difficult challenge faced after graduating with your degree.

This guide aims to assist in helping you through this process in several important ways. It will:

1. Increase your knowledge of the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) examination, including the new blueprints used for all tests taken on or after January 2, 2018

2. Provide valuable test-taking strategies that will assist in developing a good study plan and in analyzing question wording in order to select the correct answer

3. Summarize content areas that may be included on the examination as per the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) statements published by ASWB, which are used by test developers to formulate actual questions

xx 4. Supply sample questions that can be used to simulate an actual examination experience

Although there are other test preparation materials produced, this guide provides all these essential elements in a single, manageable, easy-to-use guide.

Individuals who are studying for the social work licensing examination have a primary concern and request. They are worried that they do not know important information about the tests that will prove to be a barrier to passing, and they want a place to go that will have all the necessary materials in a single location. They want to focus their efforts on studying for the examnot hunting around for what needs to be studied!