American Association of Social Workers (AASW)

A membership organization of professional social workers founded in 1921 and merged into the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) in 1955. American Association of State Social Work Boards (AASSWB) An organization formed in 1979 comprising social workers and those public members who serve as members of the boards of state licensing bodies in those states that regulate social work. Usually, board membership is achieved by gubernatorial appointment. AASSWB enables those who serve on such boards to communicate with their counterparts in other states about such matters as developing competency tests, continuing education requirements, recertification policies, reciprocity, and other mutual concerns.