How many total questions are on the ASWB Social Work Licensing Exam given since August 3, 2026?

122 questions. Since August 3, 2026 the exam has 122 questions: 110 scored items that count toward the pass/fail result and 12 unscored pretest items being tried out for future exams, delivered as two 61-question sections. The 170-question format was retired when the 2026 exams launched.

What is the general passing range on the ASWB exams given since August 3, 2026?

66-78 correct of 110 scored questions. ASWB reports pass/fail. The number of correct answers needed depends on the difficulty of the exam form and generally ranges from 66 to 78 out of 110 scored questions. Every jurisdiction that uses the exams recognizes the same passing standard for a category.

Which testing vendor currently administers the ASWB exam?

Pearson VUE. ASWB moved exam administration from PSI back to Pearson VUE in March 2025; the first day of testing at Pearson VUE test centers was March 31, 2025. Candidates schedule through ASWBCentral and test at Pearson test centers.

How long is the mandatory waiting period between ASWB exam retake attempts?

90 days. ASWB requires a 90-day waiting period between exam retake attempts. However, candidates whose score was within 10 points of passing may request a waiver of the wait if their jurisdiction allows waivers.

How many of the 122 questions on the ASWB exam given since August 3, 2026 are unscored pretest items?

Of the 122 questions, 12 are unscored pretest items being tested for possible use on future exams. They are mixed in with the 110 scored questions and look the same, so answer every question seriously.

ASWB Exam Overview — Free Study Guide 2026

Key Takeaways

Since August 3, 2026 the ASWB exam has 122 multiple-choice questions: 110 scored and 12 unscored pretest items, in two 61-question sections
Candidates have 4 hours (two hours per section) to complete the exam at a Pearson test center
The exam fee is $230 for the Associate, Bachelors, and Masters exams and $260 for the Advanced Generalist and Clinical exams
2025 first-time pass rates ranged from 65.0% (Advanced Generalist) to 75.7% (Clinical)
ASWB moved test administration from PSI back to Pearson VUE in March 2025
You cannot tell which questions are scored and which are pretest items, so treat every question seriously
You see an unofficial result on screen and an unofficial score report in ASWBCentral about 24 hours later; boards can take two weeks to two months to process the official score
A 90-day waiting period is required between attempts; a waiver may be requested if you scored within 10 points of passing and your jurisdiction allows it

ASWB Social Work Licensing Exam Overview

The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) develops and maintains the social work licensing examinations used across the United States and Canada. Passing the ASWB exam is a critical step toward obtaining your social work license, whether you are pursuing a BSW-level license, MSW-level license, or the coveted Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential.

The ASWB exam is a standardized, criterion-referenced examination, meaning your performance is measured against a fixed passing standard rather than compared to other test-takers. The exam tests your ability to apply social work knowledge, skills, and values to real-world practice scenarios.

Exam Details at a Glance

Detail	Information
Exam Developer	Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
Format	Multiple-choice, a mix of three- and four-option questions
Total Questions	122 items, in two 61-question sections
Scored Questions	110 items
Unscored Pretest Items	12 items (indistinguishable from scored items)
Time Limit	4 hours (two hours per section, with an optional 10-minute scheduled break between sections)
Exam Fee	$230 (Associate/Bachelors/Masters), $260 (Advanced Generalist/Clinical)
Testing Vendor	Pearson VUE (transitioned from PSI in March 2025)
Test Centers	Pearson test centers (ASWB suspended its online-proctoring pilot as of July 31, 2026)
2025 First-Time Pass Rates	65.0% (Advanced Generalist) to 75.7% (Clinical)
Results	Unofficial result on screen; unofficial score report in ASWBCentral about 24 hours later
Retake Waiting Period	90 days (waiver may be requested if within 10 points and your jurisdiction allows waivers)

Question Format

Every question on the ASWB exam follows the same format: a stem (the question or scenario) followed by three or four answer options. You must select the single best answer. There is no penalty for guessing, so you should never leave a question blank.

Many questions are presented as clinical vignettes — short case scenarios describing a client, situation, or ethical dilemma. You are expected to apply your knowledge of social work theory, practice methods, and ethics to select the most appropriate response. The exam tests application of knowledge, not rote memorization of facts.

Scoring and Passing

Results are reported as pass/fail. ASWB uses several exam forms, so the number of correct answers needed to pass depends on the difficulty of your form; it generally falls between 66 and 78 correct out of 110 scored questions. Every jurisdiction that uses the exams recognizes the same passing standard for a category. Your score report shows the number of questions needed to pass and the number you answered correctly.

If you do not pass, your unofficial score report also shows how many questions you answered correctly in each content area, which helps you focus your studying for a retake.