examination to certify them for private practice in Bermuda.

The exam was sponsored by the Bermuda Social Work Council in conjunction with the Academy of Certified Social Workers in Washington.

The Bermuda Clinical Social Work Council, consisting of 15 to 20 members, was formed two years ago to ensure local standards and to encourage certification of Bermuda Social Workers.

Council president Mrs. Sharol Simmons said: "All practising Bermudian social workers have Master's degrees but not all have licences and certificates. The point of the National Social Work Certification Exam is to provide certification and to standardise social work skills.'' Mrs. Simmons said the exam was held so that more Bermudian social workers could be certified to go into private practice. Most social workers not in private practice work in the hospital, in schools or for Government.

In order to take the four-hour examination, candidates must first have two years of post-graduate practice.

The candidates for this exam have been meeting as a group on a regular basis to prepare for this exam. The four-hour exam covers clinical theory, clinical practice application and social welfare policy.