Press Releases and Statements

NASW-RI Statement on the Passing of Senate President Ruggierio

April 22, 2025

On behalf of our social worker members, NASW-RI sends our condolences to the friends, colleagues, and loved ones of Senate President Dominick Ruggierio on this sad occasion of his passing. Public service is an essential way to uphold the values of our democracy. It is an important calling and one Senator Ruggierio did with integrity and good will.

NASW-RI Statement on ASWB Exam Data

The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) just released new data on pass rates related to social work licensing exams. The data show glaring disparities in pass rates between white people and people of color – particularly Black test-takers in RI and nationwide. This is unacceptable and we must act. NASW-RI is committed to supporting a diverse social work field and we must continue to remove barriers that clinicians of color face when choosing the social work profession. This year we worked with @RICSSW and @SenDimario and @Repshallcross smith to remove the licensure test at the Master’s level. We knew based on anecdotal information that there were disparities in outcomes. Removing this testing requirement at the master’s level is one essential way to eliminate the perpetuation of systemic failures. We will continue to demand solutions to assure equitable access to the field.

Rhode Island (2011-2021):
First time Test Takers Clinical Exam

Overall # of test-takers: 783
Overall Pass Rate: 82.1%
Breakdown passing rate by ethnicity:

• White: 88.2%
• Native American/Indigenous Peoples: No%
• Multiracial: 80%
• Hispanic/Latino: 60%
• Black: 51%
• Asian: 58.3%

Data Found: www.aswb.org/exam/contributing-to-the-conversation/aswb-exam-pass-rates-by-state-province/