Certified Professional Guardian License in Washington

Washington did not return a direct match in the COS regulatory database for a standardized social work license, resulting in lower confidence for this entry. However, Washington does license social workers through the Department of Health, offering Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA), Licensed Advanced Social Worker (LASW), Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), and Agency Affiliated Counselor credentials. Washington's licensing structure may differ from the standard national pattern, potentially explaining the database mismatch. The ASWB exam is generally required for the LASW and LICSW levels. Washington was one of the most active states in the ASWB exam controversy, with the state legislature passing significant legislation to address exam equity concerns. The University of Washington has a highly regarded social work program. Seattle, Tacoma, and other Puget Sound communities have strong demand for social workers, while eastern Washington faces rural workforce shortages. Washington has explored the Social Work Licensure Compact.