On January 20, 2026, the Latino Social Work Coalition (LSWC) joined Social Workers for Justice at the New York State Capitol in Albany to advocate for the Social Work Workforce Act (SWWA – S988/A701), a critical bill designed to strengthen and expand the social work workforce by eliminating the ASWB entry-level licensure exam. This exam has created inequitable barriers for MSW-trained professionals—barriers already removed in 17 states and Washington, D.C.—and its repeal would open pathways for more qualified social workers to serve communities in need.

 

    LSWC strongly supports Assembly and Senate bill A00701 (González-Rojas)/S00988 (Brouk), which aims to remove the examination requirement for Licensed Master Social Workers in New York State. Data from the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) shows the urgent need for reform: between 2011–2021, first-time pass rates in New York were 86% for white graduates, but only 49% for Black graduates and 62% for Latinx graduates, with subsequent attempts revealing persistent disparities. As a result, only slightly over half of Black graduates and two-thirds of Latinx graduates obtain licensure.

 

    LSWC opposes the ASWB licensing exams due to these inequities, which disproportionately affect prospective social workers of color, older adults, and those for whom English is a second language. We are actively advocating for the passage of A5291/S5975 in the 2024 legislative session and continue to fight for policies that remove systemic barriers and expand access to the social work profession. This is what collective power looks like—and the momentum is growing.

 

Read our memo in support of the legislation HERE.