ASWB Licensure Exam Pass Rate | Columbia School of Social Work

The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) owns and maintains the social work licensing examinations that are used to test a social worker’s competence to practice ethically and safely. Below are the results of ASWB exam pass rates for first-time test-takers of both the ASWB Master’s and Clinical examinations.

Master’s examination (required for licensure as an LMSW in New York)*

School: Columbia University
2022: 90%
2021: 88%
2020: 91%
2019: 85%
2018**: 88%
2017: 93%
2016: 89%
2015: 93%
2014: 93%
2013: 89%
2012: 93%

School: All NY Schools
2022: 67%
2021: 66%
2020: 75%
2019: 71%
2018**: 74%
2017: 78%
2016: 80%
2015: 79%
2014: 81%
2013: 80%
2012: 82%

School: National Rate
2022: 72%
2021: 73%
2020: 76%
2019: 76%
2018**: 76%
2017: 81%
2016: 81%
2015: 81%
2014: 82%
2013: 82%
2012: 84%

*Entry to Master’s ASWB exam in NY requires application for licensure and an MSW degree (macro or clinical).

**We are top in the state this year for the Masters exam.

Clinical examination (required for licensure as an LCSW in New York)*

School: Columbia University
2022: 86%
2021: 90%
2020: 87%
2019: 87%
2018: 83%
2017: 87%
2016: 87%
2015: 93%
2014: 93%
2013: 89%
2012: 93%

School: All NY Schools
2022: 76%
2021: 77%
2020: 76%
2019: 76%
2018: 76%
2017: 80%
2016: 82%
2015: 78%
2014: 81%
2013: 80%
2012: 77%

School: National Rate
2022: 74%
2021: 76%
2020: 75%
2019: 73%
2018: 73%
2017: 78%
2016: 78%
2015: 76%
2014: 78%
2013: 78%
2012: 77%

*Entry to Clinical exam in NY requires application for licensure, clinical MSW or sufficient clinical coursework as part of the MSW, and completion of 36 months of supervised experience, acceptable to SED.

Learn more about licensing here.