Last Updated: May 12, 2025

Introduction: A Critical Moment for New York's Social Work Workforce

New York State Senate Bill S00988, a crucial piece of legislation introduced in January 2025, aims to eliminate the examination requirement for Licensed Master Social Workers (LMSWs). The bill, sponsored by Senator Samra Brouk and co-sponsored by Senators Comrie, Fernandez, Jackson, Liu, Ramos, Rivera, Salazar, Sepulveda, and Webb, represents a significant effort to address systemic barriers that have long prevented qualified social workers from entering the field.

Recent Update: On January 24, 2025, a coalition of social workers rallied in Albany to support the Social Work Workforce Act, highlighting the urgent need for this reform.

What Does S00988 Propose?

The bill is straightforward yet transformative: it seeks to repeal paragraph (d) of subdivision 1 of section 7704 of the education law, which currently requires applicants to pass an examination to qualify as a licensed master social worker. If enacted, this legislation would take effect immediately, removing a significant hurdle for aspiring social workers across New York State.

The Problem: Disparate Impact of the LMSW Exam

The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam has been shown to have significantly disparate pass rates across racial, linguistic, and age demographics. According to data from a 2022 ASWB report:

• Black social workers: Only 51.9% eventually passed (45% on first attempt)

• Latino social workers: 71.2% eventually passed (65.1% on first attempt)

• White social workers: 90.8% eventually passed (83.9% on first attempt)

• Social workers over 50: Only 61.6% eventually passed

• Non-native English speakers: Only 63% passed compared to 80% of native English speakers

Real Impact on Real People

The exam's impact extends beyond statistics. As reported by the Jackson Heights Post, social workers like Liz Conde and Tara Alameda have shared their experiences with the testing process:

"I cried because I knew that there was nothing wrong with me and I knew that there was everything wrong with this exam." - Tara Alameda, who lost her job after failing the exam 11 times

Many qualified social workers have had to leave the profession entirely or take significant pay cuts to remain in related fields, simply because they couldn't pass an exam that critics argue doesn't accurately measure their ability to provide quality care.

The Case for Change

Addressing Multiple Crises

New York State faces several interconnected crises that require a robust social work workforce:

• Mental health and overdose epidemic

• Increasing homelessness

• Growing immigrant populations needing culturally competent services

• Critical shortages in school social workers

Education vs. Examination

Supporters of the bill argue that the rigorous education social workers receive should be sufficient qualification. As Melissa Begg, dean of Columbia University's School of Social Work, noted: "Through extensive practicum learning, each student in New York State is required to obtain at least 900 hours of supervised, hands-on experience."

National Context and Precedents

New York would not be alone in making this change. Several states have already eliminated exam requirements:

• Illinois: Saw 3,000 more social workers become licensed after eliminating the requirement

• Rhode Island: Recently passed similar legislation

• Colorado: Has also removed exam requirements

Key Supporters and Opposition

Supporting Organizations

The Social Workers for Justice Coalition leads the advocacy effort, including:

• National Association of Social Workers

• NAMI-NYC

• Latino Social Work Coalition

• National Association of Puerto Rican and Hispanic Social Workers

Opposition Perspective

The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) opposes the legislation, arguing that the exam provides "uniform, objective measures of social work knowledge and skills" and brings legitimacy to the profession. They maintain that they've implemented multiple layers of anti-bias review in response to concerns about disparate pass rates.

Training Solutions from T&E

As the social work field evolves, Training & Etracking Solutions offers comprehensive professional development courses tailored for social workers. Our curriculum includes Direct Support, Senior Care, and Child and Youth Care training that can help social workers enhance their skills and stay current with best practices. Whether the exam requirement remains or is eliminated, continuous professional development remains crucial for effective social work practice.

What's Next?

S00988 has been referred to the Committee on Higher Education in the New York State Senate. As advocacy efforts continue, including the January 2025 rally in Albany, supporters hope to build momentum for the bill's passage. The immediate effective date clause means that if passed, the change would take effect right away, potentially opening doors for thousands of qualified social workers to enter the field.

Conclusion

NY S00988 represents a pivotal moment in addressing systemic barriers within the social work profession. By eliminating the exam requirement, New York could potentially increase its social work workforce significantly while promoting greater diversity and cultural competency. As the state grapples with multiple social crises, the question becomes whether maintaining an exam with documented disparate impacts serves the public interest or hinders the delivery of essential services to communities in need.

The debate over S00988 ultimately centers on a fundamental question: Should a standardized exam be the gatekeeper to a profession that requires cultural sensitivity, empathy, and the ability to connect with diverse communities? As New York lawmakers consider this legislation, the voices of affected social workers, communities in need, and educational institutions will all play crucial roles in shaping the future of social work licensure in the state.

Breaking Down NY S00988: The Push to Eliminate the LMSW Exam