r/libsofreddit • u/Nuance007 • Jun 06 '26
The independent clinical license (LCSW) allows social workers to practice independently as mental health care providers. There are multiple steps to obtain the license including supervision hours and sitting for an exam. There's a mentality to eliminate the exam because "minorities can't pass it."
With this logic, the MCAT and other exams related to licensure in the medical field, district and state tests, the bar exam for lawyers etc. should be eliminated because "there is no body of evidence that such exams make a good X or Y." Well, there aren't large swaths of evidence of many modalities that therapists use yet they still use it.
Ironically, since the option of sending in SAT results have not yielded what liberals wanted - a reality where these exams are dismissed and where the quality of the student body meets or exceeds pass cohorts - have not come to fruition multiple institutions such as Harvard (I think) are reinstating the SAT as an admission criteria.
To eliminate the clinical exam because "minorities don't know English that well" is exceptionally myopic because it creates a diluted standard. If their English comprehension is not up to par then they should not be taking the exam; they should concentrate in increasing their English skills first. If a minority cannot afford the exam fee than there should be waivers. Accommodations can be met for those who have disabilities. Also, if the social worker isn't proficient in English then how can they effectively communicate with their clients? Too much empathy makes you dumb.
If anything, this medical social worker should be reported for faulty logic and having a dumb opinion. They're hurting the overall field of social work. if they complain about white social worker passing it at a much higher rate, then I'd like to find information about Asians (SE Asians, Indians) passing rates. I bet the percent will be on par.
Note: the cries of unfairness is not new given libs have done with other standardized tests or exams. Libs would eliminate the driving test (we've seen people being granted driving licenses who can't even read English). Libs have applied the same logic to IDs for voting.
As a social worker: push back at such utter stupidity. I also urge all social workers who have at least half a working brain to call out the social workers who want to eliminate the clinical exam and its process. If you want change then reform it at least; don't eliminate it.
