Individual, Institutional, and Community-Level Determinants of Professional License Exam Outcome

IF 1.7 4区社会学 Q1 SOCIAL WORK

Research on Social Work Practice Pub Date : 2025-03-25 DOI:10.1177/10497315251329521

Joy J. Kim, Michael M. Joo

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objectives: This study reviews the extent and determinants of racial disparities in licensing exam outcomes in regulated professions to contextualize the disparities in social work. Methods: It reviews the empirical literature of ten regulated professions, discussing individual, institutional, and community-level determinants of exam outcomes. Results: All 10 reviewed professions report significant racial disparities in exam outcomes. The groups more likely to pass licensing exams include examinees who (a) are younger, maintain high GPAs, excel on admission tests, promptly take exams, and dedicate ample study time; (b) attend institutions with selective admissions, strong faculty, and well-resourced programs; and (c) reside in socioeconomically integrated communities. Although historically marginalized groups face greater adverse impacts from individual, institutional, and community factors, the net effect of race on exam passage diminishes when these adverse effects are controlled for. Conclusions: The social work profession needs similar evidence on its licensing exam disparities to inform effective interventions.

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来源期刊

Research on Social Work Practice SOCIAL WORK-

CiteScore

3.50

自引率

11.10%

发文量

105

期刊介绍： Research on Social Work Practice, sponsored by the Society for Social Work and Research, is a disciplinary journal devoted to the publication of empirical research concerning the methods and outcomes of social work practice. Social work practice is broadly interpreted to refer to the application of intentionally designed social work intervention programs to problems of societal and/or interpersonal importance, including behavior analysis or psychotherapy involving individuals; case management; practice involving couples, families, and small groups; community practice education; and the development, implementation, and evaluation of social policies.