Application Processing Changes

The Massachusetts Board of Registration of Social Workers would like to take this opportunity to inform you of some recent changes in the application processing of Social Work licenses. For anyone who began or wrapped up the licensing process over the past 9 months, you unfortunately, but most likely had to endure some frustrations along the way in your dealings with our former application processors, Experior. For this, we at the Board would like to express our apologies. We continue to work diligently to rectify any outstanding issues and to expedite the licensure process as much as is possible. We are extremely happy to announce that ASWB, whom many of you are already familiar with, as the agency that has been providing the licensing examinations, has taken over the processing of all Massachusetts social work applications. While the transition is ongoing, ASWB has picked up where Experior left off with amazing speed and ability.

For those of you just in the midst of your application process, have no fear, the application process itself has not changed and while the look of the application has, there are no additional requirements. Please note that Experior applications will be accepted. ASWB will process the applications for all four levels of licensure in the same manner as any other qualified agent would, with the ultimate authority remaining with the Board. When the application, fee and all supporting documentation is received at ASWB it is logged and processed with-in one week to ten business days. Once approved the applicant is notified of his/her eligibility to test along with instructions on how to register for the exam and a study guide. After passing the appropriate examination, initial license fees are collected and processed. At this point that ASWB will notify both the new licensee and the Board of the requirements having been fully met and a license number is issued.

You can now download the application both on our website (www.mass.gov/dpl/boards/sw) and on ASWB’s website (www.aswb.org). You can reach the Massachusetts application processing division of ASWB at:

P.O. Box 1508
Culpeper, VA. 22701
ATTN: Massachusetts Applications
1-866-527-2384
mass.sw.pp@aswb.org

Also to note, is a new service being offered at a discounted rate by ASWB to Massachusetts’ applicants, is their registry service. The Social Work Registry provides a repository for social workers’ credential information while serving as a verification for social work licensing boards. The Registry allows you to establish a permanent file containing primary source records important to your social work career. Supervision records, academic transcripts and licensure history will be collected, verified and stored by ASWB. At your request, this information can then be supplied to any regulatory boards to which you may apply to for licensure. Please contact ASWB for further information.

The Massachusetts Board of Registration of Social Workers is hopeful that this new vendor will ultimately ease the stressful process for all applicants. As a membership organization of Social Work Regulatory Bodies across the United State and Canada, the mission of ASWB is to assist social work regulatory bodies in carrying out their legislated mandates, and to encourage jurisdictional efforts to protect a diverse public served by social workers who are regulated through common values, ethics, and practice standards. ASWB’s integral knowledge of regulations, the various levels of licensing framework and the importance of the integrity of the licensing process makes them an ideal application processing agent. Among other things, ASWB has developed, maintains, and administers the licensure examinations for social workers in most jurisdictions in the United States and Canada. ASWB began administering examinations for social work licensure in Massachusetts in 1985 and has since then continued to develop and refine the all levels of the exam, through continual analysis and evaluation.

As a membership organization, ASWB provides valuable input regarding the legal regulation of social work, as well as a place for the many jurisdictions to share information and work together. It is for all of these reasons that we at the Board feel that ASWB is a natural fit to perform this very important service to the future Social Workers of the Commonwealth. ASWB’s extensive knowledge base and experience in the regulatory field has shown that they are not only capable, but also full equipped with the necessary resources.