Please uphold high standards for social workers, Families and Persons with Disabilities

Dear [Lawmaker],

I am writing to express concern about H.279, An Act to Ensure Parity in Social Work Licensure,
which would eliminate the examination requirement for social work licensure in Massachusetts.
The licensing exam is a vital safeguard that ensures every social worker, no matter where they
studied, has demonstrated the minimum knowledge and skills needed to practice safely and
ethically.
Just as physicians, nurses, and attorneys must prove their competence before serving the
public, so too should social workers. Social workers hold an extraordinary responsibility: they
serve vulnerable populations, make critical decisions in crisis situations, and handle issues of
safety, confidentiality, and mental health every day.
Education and supervised experience are important, but they are not substitutes for an
objective, standardized measure of readiness. Removing the exam would erode public
confidence and put clients at risk.
Please oppose H.279 and any similar efforts to eliminate examination requirements for
licensure. Protecting the public must remain the Commonwealth’s top priority.
Thank you for your time and for your commitment to public safety and professional integrity.

Sincerely,
______

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