Recasting Licensing in Social Work: Something More for Professionalism

ABSTRACT

Abraham Flexner contended that “something more than a degree or claim” is needed to make a profession. He further asserted that the definitions of a profession require recasting over time. This article critically considers recasting licensing as something more for social work. Analysis of past and present discourse on licensing in social work revealed three overarching themes: (a) advocacy and rationale for licensing, (b) scrutiny and critique of licensing, and (c) the disconnect and dissonance between professional licensing and social work education. Moving forward, we suggest recasting social work’s professional paradigm in the common framework of competency, with licensing part of the continuum of professionalization. This recasting can promote critical congruence between social work education and ongoing professional competency.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Erlene Grise-Owens

Erlene Grise-Owens is Professor at Spalding University. Larry W. Owens is Associate Professor at Western Kentucky University. Justin Jay Miller is Assistant Professor at University of Kentucky.

Larry W. Owens

Erlene Grise-Owens is Professor at Spalding University. Larry W. Owens is Associate Professor at Western Kentucky University. Justin Jay Miller is Assistant Professor at University of Kentucky.

Justin Jay Miller

Erlene Grise-Owens is Professor at Spalding University. Larry W. Owens is Associate Professor at Western Kentucky University. Justin Jay Miller is Assistant Professor at University of Kentucky.