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United States · Licensing exam

ASWB passing score, results and pass rates

There’s no single ASWB passing score. The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) uses several versions of each exam, called forms, and sets the number of correct answers needed on each one by how hard it is. ASWB says the pass mark generally falls between 66 and 78 of the 110 scored questions. Every board that uses the exams recognizes the same passing standard, and you see pass or fail on the screen when you finish.

  • 66 to 78Correct answers you generally need
  • Pass or failHow ASWB reports your result
  • About 24 hoursUntil the report is in ASWBCentral
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Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

How is the ASWB passing score set?

Each category has a passing standard, the level of competence an entry-level social worker needs for that category. ASWB keeps several forms in use at once for security, so if you retake the exam you’ll get different questions. Psychometricians, experts in testing science, judge the difficulty of each form and set how many correct answers it takes to meet the standard. The number you need goes up or down with the form’s difficulty, and ASWB says no one gains or loses from the form they get.

For the 2026 exams, a panel of 65 social workers from the United States and Canada met in San Antonio, Texas, with psychometricians to help set the passing standards, ASWB reported on April 13, 2026. The 12 unscored pretest questions on your exam don’t count toward the result.

What your score report shows

Your result is pass or fail, with the number of correct answers you needed and the number you got. If you don’t pass, the report also breaks your score down by content area, showing how many you got right out of the questions in each.

You see the result on the testing computer after a short exit survey. The unofficial score report reaches your ASWBCentral dashboard about 24 hours later and stays there. Your official result goes to ASWB and your board, and ASWB says the board can take between two weeks and two months to process it. No one can change a score: not ASWB, not Pearson and not your board.

ASWB exam pass rates

ASWB publishes pass rates for first-time test-takers every year. For 2025, across all its member jurisdictions:

CategoryExamsPass rate
Associate40771.5%
Bachelors2,74170.4%
Masters20,63673.9%
Advanced Generalist11765.0%
Clinical26,43975.7%

“Exams” is the number of first-time exams ASWB counted. It says pass rates are most representative for groups of more than 200 candidates, so read the Advanced Generalist figure with that in mind. These 2025 results come from the exams ASWB gave before its August 3, 2026 update. ASWB also has 2022 to 2025 reports for each state and each social work degree program, as PDFs on its pass rates page.

ASWB: Exam pass rates ↗

If you don’t pass

Start with your content area breakdown, which ASWB calls a valuable resource for a later attempt. You can’t review the exam itself, and ASWB says it’s highly unlikely you’d see the same questions again. ASWB says to wait 7 to 10 days after your exam before registering again, and to check with Candidate Services whether your board needs to approve the retake. The 90-day waiting rule and waivers are covered in the guide’s FAQ.

ASWB exam retake rules →ASWB practice exams and prep courses →

Sending your score to another state

If you move or want a second license, apply to the new state’s board first, then buy a score transfer in ASWBCentral under the passed exam’s menu. ASWB sends the score to the board within 7 to 10 business days, though some boards take longer to process it. If your name has changed, upload proof of the change with the request. The fee is in the table on the dates and fees page.

ASWB: Sending your exam results to another state or province ↗ASWB exam fees →ASWBCentral login →
Sources: ASWB and 5 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

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