As described in “Child services fires 10 who failed to obtain social work licenses’’ (Metro, Dec. 17), state law enacted last year requires all Department of Children and Families workers to pass a licensing test within nine months of employment. Yet as Maria Mossaides, head of the state Office of the Child Advocate, says, “there’s a larger discussion around what are the core competencies needed to do this work.’’

Per current law, to be a social worker in Massachusetts, one does not need to attend an accredited school of social work or to take classes in human behavior, assessment, or cultural competency. One just has to pass a test. Yet DCF workers must ensure the safety, permanency, and well-being of vulnerable at-risk children.

DCF workers make a valid complaint that, as reporter Michael Levenson writes, “the exam focuses on social work generally . . . and not on the specific skills needed to serve as a child protection worker.’’ They should receive specialized training as child protection workers and be certified as such.

Let’s change the law and pass House Bill 157, which would establish minimum professional standards for the workforce in both public and private agencies.

Consumers have a right to expect that licensed social workers are, in fact, educated and trained as professional social workers.

Kristina M.

Whiton-O’Brien

Kingston

The writer, a licensed independent clinical social worker, is first vice president of the Massachusetts chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.