BHT Bytes – The ASWB Exam Is Changing: Here's What Every Social Worker Needs to Know – Episode 433

About this episode

This episode discusses the upcoming changes to the ASWB exam and their implications for social workers preparing for licensure.

August 2026 is closer than you think, and the changes could work in your favor or catch you off guard. Whether you're deep in exam prep or just starting your licensure journey, this conversation will help you decide whether to test now or wait and why that decision matters more than you think. In this episode, Peter Fenger and Sharlee Dixon break down exactly what's shifting, from fewer questions and a new three-area content structure to a heavier emphasis on ethics over academic memorization. We dig into what it really means that Values and Ethics is now the most heavily weighted section, how the shorter exam format creates both opportunity and new traps for overthinking, and how to honestly assess whether the current exam or the new version plays to your natural strengths. We also tackle the bigger picture, from racial and socioeconomic pass rate disparities to the push for universal licensing, and why this shift may signal that the profession is finally being tested the way it's actually practiced. Walk away with a clear strategy, honest self-reflection questions, and the confidence to take your next step toward licensure. Follow Behavioral Health Today on Instagram at…

People in this episode

Guests: Peter Fenger, Sharlee Dixon

Topics covered

• ASWB Exam
• social work licensure
• ethics in social work
• exam preparation
• racial disparities
• socioeconomic disparities

Keywords

• ASWB Exam
• social work
• licensure
• ethics
• exam changes
• preparation strategy

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: ASWB

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