L.S.W./L.C.S.W. Exam Preparation
$140 per session | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. ET | Virtual
Session Dates
2026 dates coming soon.
Course Overview
A recent survey of past participants of the prep course revealed a 92.5% exam pass rate after taking this course.
- Designed for anyone seeking to prepare themselves for the social work license exam.
- Special attention is given to practice theory, therapeutic strategies, social work values, D.S.M., and diversity sensitive practice.
- Free-standing one-day course that addresses both the master’s (L.S.W.) and clinical (L.C.S.W.) social work license exams.
- Students will explore effective learning techniques that can be applied in studying of exam material.
- Course includes actual practice test questions designed by A.S.W.B.
- NOTE: The ASWB test questions we use are the same as those that a license applicant can purchase from ASWB.
- ASWB does not permit our distribution of the test questions used in this workshop.
- NOTE: The ASWB test questions we use are the same as those that a license applicant can purchase from ASWB.
- Students will have the opportunity to apply various exam strategies to A.S.W.B. test questions and identify which strategy works best for them.
- Course includes opportunity for answer determination discussion.
- Course will discuss managing test anxiety.
- An electronic study manual is provided.
Note: Payment for License Exam Prep course trainings is expected at time of registration. No discounts available for multiple registrations in the prep course.
Course Information
Ruth Feinblum Conviser, M.S.S., L.C.S.W., has a post-master's Certificate in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy from Bryn Mawr College Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research. She worked in the public mental health system for a number of years in residential treatment, family-based mental health, and as an outpatient clinician with children and families. She founded Growth Solution Counseling, located in Center City Philadelphia, in 2008. She specializes in helping individuals and couples manage anxiety, improve communication skills, and thrive after divorce.
Carmen Moedano, Ph.D., L.C.S.W. is the Associate Director of Clinical Services at a University Counseling Center. She has extensive experience working with diverse populations in a variety of clinical settings that include community behavioral health, hospital inpatient and outpatient care, private practice, and over a decade working in university counseling centers. She has taught as an adjunct instructor for courses that include Clinical Social Work I & II at the Bryn Mawr Graduate School of Social Work & Social Research. Carmen received her Ph.D. in Social Work from Bryn Mawr’s GSSWSR, her master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania, and her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Community Health from Brown University. She received additional training through the National Group Psychotherapy Institute at the Washington School of Psychiatry.
If a session date is marked as full, send an email to swprodev@brynmawr.edu to request your name be added to the session waitlist.
- Email must include name, email, phone, and session date(s).
- Payment is not required to add your name to the waitlist.
- Waitlist individuals will be contacted if, and/or when, an opening develops in the session of their choice.
- Waitlist individuals are not guaranteed a seat in the waitlist session.
- Waitlist individuals are encouraged to register for an alternate open date to ensure a seat.
- If an opening develops in a waitlist session, payment made for an alternate date can be 100 percent transferred.
- Once materials have been sent to a registrant, no refund is available.
- If a registrant needs to change their session date they should email swprodev@brynmawr.edu with as much advance notice as is possible to inquire into options.
- If a seat is available in registrant's alternate session, 100% of tuition paid will be applied.
- Please provide a minimum of 7 days notice to request a change of session.
To participate, you will need a stable Internet connection and Zoom. Please visit the Zoom System Requirements site for the technical requirements that you will need. You will receive an email with an invitation to register for the Zoom meeting approximately two weeks prior to your registered session. Once you register on Zoom, you will immediately receive the link to join the meeting on the day/time of the course. You can also visit the Zoom Help Center to learn usage before your scheduled course.
Applying for Your Initial Social Work License
To be eligible to take the Master’s licensing exam, the applicant must be in their final semester of a master’s or doctoral degree program, or hold a master’s or doctoral degree in social work. Below are resources to aid you in demystifying the license process:
- ASWB Examination Handbook
- Handout on Understanding the Steps to Apply to Take the Master’s License Exam in Pennsylvania
It is important that you follow the registration steps outlined by each of the following organizations in the application process:
- PA State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors
- PA Licensing System (PALS)
- Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
- Pearson Vue Testing Center
Missing a step, or making a mistake during registration, may result in additional fees and can delay your examination or prevent you from taking it entirely.
Note that the social work license exam is a national one and will be accepted in all states, regardless of the state in which it is formalized.
Other Application/Study Resources
- ASWB Examination Guidebook (pdf)
- PA DHS – Clearances and Background Checks
- Child Abuse CE requirement – University of Pittsburgh Online Training
Application/Exam Costs as of 2020
(fees are payable during the licensure process)
Application Fee for LSW - $25
Licensing Exam Fee for LSW - $230
Application Fee for LCSW - $45
Licensing Exam Fee for LCSW - $260
*fees are payable during the licensure process
- FBI Identity History Summary Check
- For individuals who have lived or worked outside of Pennsylvania during the past 10 years, in lieu of obtaining individual state background checks, you may choose to obtain BOTH an FBI Identity History Summary Check and a state Criminal History Records Check (CHRC) from the state in which you currently reside
- Social Work License Requirements by State
- Additional exam preparation materials via BMC libraries