Effects of Social Work Licensure Exemptions: Theoretical Propositions, Evidence, and Research Agendas

Abstract

Purpose: This article intends to review the literature to address the concern that prevalent licensure exemptions in social work undermine public safety. Methods: It reviews (1) the rationales for licensure exemptions, (2) the effects of exemptions on the public and the social work workforce, and (3) critical gaps in the extant evidence to recommend future research agendas to fill the gaps. Results: A review of the literature revealed that concerns about duplicated regulations and potential labor shortages justified licensure exemptions but with little empirical evidence. Limited evidence was found to support the claim that exemptions minimize the effects of licensure. Extant evidence, albeit scant, implies that licensure may not eliminate lower-quality services but benefit incumbent social workers with higher earnings. Conclusions: Recognizing the gaps in the literature, it recommends empirical research and discusses available data to assess the effects of exemptions on public safety and socioeconomic (in)equity within the workforce.