Racial Disparities in Social Workers’ Licensing Rates

Abstract

Objectives This study aimed at examining how racial disparities in social workers’ licensing rates are explained by the major sources of the disparities: racial differences in educational eligibilities, the field of practice, and demographic vulnerabilities of social workers. Methods Drawing a nationally representative sample of 3990 social workers from the Current Population Survey, this study tested how the probabilities of their licensing were explained by the major sources of racial disparities. Results For master’s level social workers, African American–White differences in the field of practice and the type of employers explained away the disparity in required licensing rates. The Hispanic–White and other race–White disparities were largely due to non-White social workers’ limited educational eligibilities and the states of residence that might have imposed varying occupational regulations. Conclusions As licensing disparities reflect socioeconomic injustice that confronts many non-White social workers, they call for more purposeful research and interventions within the profession.