I am writing in strong support of requiring persons desiring licensure as an LCSW to have passed the ASWB master's exam as well as meet the requirements for the Commonwealth of Virginia's LMSW prior to being allowed to collect supervision and clinical hours.  

This would bring Virginia in line with the majority of jurisdictions in the US.  As it stands now, other than graduating from an MSW program, there are no safeguards in place to verify that a supervisee in clinical social work commands basic social work knowledge, skills, or abilities.  ASWB exam passage would demonstrate such knowledge.

Respectfully,

Brian Rink