The passing score for the LCSW exam in California is set by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), not by the state, and it is a scaled score rather than a fixed percentage. Across all ASWB exam levels, the number of correct answers needed to pass generally falls between 90 and 107 out of 150 scored questions, depending on the difficulty of the version you receive.1Association of Social Work Boards. Exam Scoring
Why There Is No Fixed Cutoff
ASWB does not use a flat percentage like “70% correct” to decide who passes. It uses a process called equating, which adjusts for small differences in difficulty between exam versions. A harder version of the test may require fewer correct answers to pass than an easier one, so every candidate is measured against the same competency standard regardless of which questions they drew.1Association of Social Work Boards. Exam Scoring
Because of that, ASWB does not publish a single raw score that guarantees a pass. The 90-to-107 range is a general guideline across all exam levels, not a promise that 107 correct answers means you passed.1Association of Social Work Boards. Exam Scoring
What to Aim For in Practice
Answering roughly 70% of scored questions correctly puts you in a strong position. There is no magic number to memorize, so study plans built around a specific raw target can be misleading. Treat the range as a floor to clear comfortably, not a line to hit on the nose.
Which Questions Actually Count
The ASWB Clinical exam contains 170 multiple-choice questions, but only 150 count toward your score. The other 20 are unscored pretest items scattered through the exam, and you cannot tell them apart from scored questions. You have four hours to complete the full test, split into two sections of 85 questions.2Association of Social Work Boards. ASWB Examination Guidebook
The scored content is weighted across four areas, and the weighting matters when you plan study time:
- Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment Planning makes up roughly 30% of the exam, the largest single area.
- Human Development, Diversity, and Behavior in the Environment accounts for roughly 24%.
- Psychotherapy, Clinical Interventions, and Case Management covers the application of treatment methods.
- Professional Relationships, Values, and Ethics tests boundaries, confidentiality, and ethical decision-making.
Candidates who spread preparation evenly across all four areas tend to underinvest in assessment and diagnosis, which carries nearly a third of the scored questions by itself.2Association of Social Work Boards. ASWB Examination Guidebook
How and When You Learn Your Score
You get an unofficial result at the testing center as soon as you finish the exam, showing whether you passed or failed.3Association of Social Work Boards. The Examinations ASWB sends official results to the California Board of Behavioral Sciences on a weekly basis, and most candidates see their official results reflected within about 7 to 10 business days.4Association of Social Work Boards. Sending Your Exam Results to Another State or Province
A passing report does not break down your performance by content area. A failing report does, so you can see where to focus before retaking.5Association of Social Work Boards. If You Fail the Exam
If You Fall Short
You must wait at least 90 days before another attempt, and each attempt requires paying the $260 ASWB registration fee again.5Association of Social Work Boards. If You Fail the Exam6Association of Social Work Boards. Exam
One narrow exception exists. If your score fell within 10 correct answers of the passing threshold, you can request a waiver to retake sooner, provided the BBS allows such waivers.5Association of Social Work Boards. If You Fail the Exam Some licensing boards also cap the total number of attempts, so confirm with the BBS whether California imposes a limit before you plan multiple retakes.