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LICENSE EXAM NEWS
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CALIFORNIA LCSW LICENSE EXAM CHANGES
Effective January 1, 2014 the California Board of Behavioral Sciences is planning to change the structure of the LCSW License Exams . This change will occur only if the Board determines, by December 31, 2013, that "the national exam" (that is, the license exam developed by the ASWB, Association of Social Work Boards) meets the prevailing standards for validation and use that currently apply to licensing and certification tests in California.
If the new exam structure is adopted in 2014 the BBS will eliminate the two step process of taking a California specific Standard Written Exam and Clinical Vignette Exam. Instead it will implement a new two step process in which applicants for the LCSW license will be required to pass...
- The ASWB Clinical Level Exam
- A California jurisprudence and ethics exam
Click here to review the full text of the legislation that calls for these changes, AB2167.
For related information see "2011 Changes in the ASWB Exam Content Outline" below.
CHANGES IN THE ASWB EXAM CONTENT OUTLINE
The ASWB Clinical Level license exam is currently used in all US states except California. In 2014 this exam is likely to be used in California as well. The ASWB has adopted a new Content Outline for this exam. The exam will retain its structure of 170 questions to be answered in a four hour exam session. The new Content Outline is as follows.
THE ASWB EXAM CONTENT OUTLINE
1. HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, DIVERSITY, AND BEHAVIOR IN THE ENVIRONMENT (31%)
This involves understanding the development and dynamics of individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities with regard to both normal and abnormal behavior. It includes theories of development and behavior, the life cycle, impact of crises and changes, family functioning, addictions, and the dynamics and effects of abuse and neglect.
- Human Development in the Life Cycle
Includes personality theories, growth and development theories, child and adolescent development, the biopsychosocial interplay, attachment, bonding, and basic human needs.
- Human Behavior in the Environment
Includes Person in Environment theory, normal and abnormal behavior, family dynamics., dynamics of abuse and neglect, characteristics of perpetrators of abuse, effects of abuse and neglect on victims, and the effects of life events and crises on individuals and the family.
- Effects of Diversity
This includes the effects of culture, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and/or gender, age and/or disability.
- Addictions
Includes substance use and abuse, effects of substance use on behavior and relationships, and addiction theories.
2. ASSESSMENT, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT PLANNING (26%)
This issue covers the content and process of social work assessments. It includes information gathering, diagnostic classifications, and indicators of abuse, neglect, and danger to self and/or others.
- Information Gathering
Includes interviewing principles and techniques, use of collaterals to obtain relevant information, and use of standardized instruments in practice.
- Assessment and Diagnosis
Includes the use of observation, methods used to assess a client's strengths and weaknesses, indicators of motivation and resistance, psychopathology, DSM, co-occurring disorders, mental status exam, and medications.
- Treatment Planning
Includes criteria for selecting intervention modalities, components of intervention and treatment plans, methods used to develop an intervention or treatment plan, and the application of research to practice.
3. PSYCHOTHERAPY, CLINICAL INTERVENTIONS AND CASE MANAGEMENT (25%)
This content area includes intervention theories and models; the intervention process, treatment planning, intervention techniques, and interventions with couples, families and groups.
- Therapeutic Relationship
Includes therapeutic communication, empathy, acceptance, relationship building, transference, countertransference, and professional objectivity in the social worker - client relationship.
- The Intervention Process
Includes various models of counseling and psychotherapy, group work and group therapy, differential use of therapeutic techniques, and use of objectives to guide interventions.
- Management of Cases
Includes case recording, performance evaluation, effects of policies, procedures, regulations and laws, effects of agency functioning on service delivery, and client advocacy.
- Consultation and Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Includes supervision, service coordination, team approaches.
4. PROFESSIONAL VALUES AND ETHICS (18%)
- Ethical Issues
Includes informed consent, professional boundaries, dual relationships, ethical dilemmas, other ethical and legal issues.
- Confidentiality and its Limits
Includes legal and ethical issues and mandatory reporting of abuse.
- Value Issues
Includes professional values and ethics, client self-determination, stages of professional development, respect for client values and beliefs.
LICENSE EXAM PASSING RATES
The most recent reporting period released by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences shows the following overall pass rates for its January through June, 2010 license examinations.
MFT Standard Written Exam ' 64% (down from 69% in the previous 6 month period)
MFT Clinical Vignette Exam ' 67% (up from 61% in the previous 6 month period)
LCSW Standard Written Exam ' 47% (down from 59% in the previous 6 month period)
LCSW Clinical Vignette Exam ' 70% (up from 54% in the previous 6 month period)
Click here for more information about the mercurial passing rates on BBS administered examinations.
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