License Prep Resources

UPCOMING EVENTS OPEN TO ALL BUSSW STUDENTS

2026 Information Coming Soon! 

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ACCESS TO A COMPREHENSIVE LICENSING EXAM PREP STUDY GUIDE: 

The guidebook, Social Work Licensing Masters Exam: A Comprehensive Study Guide by Dawn Apgar, covers the four exam content areas and provides end-of-section questions to test your understanding and retention. The books also include 2 full-length practice exams. To access a copy of the book:

CRC students: Please follow these instructions to borrow a copy of the guidebook. Copies are available at the Welcome Center in the School of Social Work.

OLP, CRC and OCHP students: You can access a digital copy of the Apgar book through the BU library. You can follow this link to connect. You may borrow the book for 7 days. After 7 days the copy of the book gets returned to the digital library. Directions are here.

Download the ASWB Guidebook for free here.

Additional Study Resources:

    Please note: BUSSW does not endorse or recommend these review courses. They are listed in no particular order.

    FOR MASS. STUDENTS ONLY:

    Are you a Mass. community health center employee seeking licensure who identifies as a Person of Color, speaks English as a second language, OR is 32+ years old? If so, apply to LEAP (Licensure Equity Achievement Program).

    LEAP is a partnership with MassGeneral Brigham (MGB) Equitable Care Collaborative and The Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers (Mass League). LEAP’s core mission is to ensure equal access to licensure opportunities by eliminating barriers hindering diverse individuals from becoming licensed behavioral health professionals. The support includes funding for participants to access testing resources, one-on-one coaching from curated list of coaches and facilitated peer support groups for community and encouragement.

    Application process is now open and applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.  Interested applicants should contact leap@massleague.org.

    PAST WORKSHOPS

    I’m a Macro student. Why should I get licensed?  (4/24/25)

    A conversation about licensing considerations for macro students with a macro alum and Diane Crowley, MSW, LCSW – BUSSW Macro Practice Field Education Coordinator

    A recording and presentation slides from the event can be found on Blackboard: Student Resource & Comm Hub > Events & First Thursdays > Career Presentations

    Managing Test Anxiety: Calm and Ready for the Licensing Exam (5/6/25)

    This workshop on managing exam anxiety explored effective tools and techniques to help students feel prepared and confident when facing high-stakes tests. BUSSSW alumni share their personal experiences and strategies for handling exam-related anxiety. Hosted by: Deb Berglin, MSW, LICSW – Cape Cod Campus Director, BUSSW

    A recording and presentation slides from the event can be found on Blackboard: Student Resource & Comm Hub > Events & First Thursdays > Career Presentations

    Social Work Licensing Overview (10/2/25) 

    This First Thursdays presentation offered a general overview of licensing requirements and the opportunity to hear from BUSSW alums about their experiences navigating the licensure process.

    A recording and presentation slides from the event can be found on Blackboard: Student Resource & Comm Hub > Events & First Thursdays > First Thursdays > October 2025 Social Work Licensing Overview

    Social Work Licensing Exam Prep Workshop (11/6/25) 

    This First Thursdays workshop provided an overview of the ASWB licensing exam, which is required in many states for initial licensure. It reviewed exam preparation resources, what to expect when taking the exam, and test-taking strategies.

    Presentation slides from the first portion of the event can be found on Blackboard: Student Resource & Comm Hub > Events & First Thursdays > First Thursdays > November 2025 Social Work Licensing Exam Prep Workshop

    Additional study resources can also be found on the Career Resources webpage here.