This paper addresses the state‐tracking model reference adaptive control problem for a class of switched systems with parametric uncertainties, where switchings between subsystems and designed adaptive controller are asynchronous. First, we establish a stability criterion for a switched reference model and convert the state‐tracking problem into the stability problem of an error switched system. Then, an adaptive law is designed, and the global practical stability of the error switched system is guaranteed under a class of switching signals characterized by a dwell‐time condition. An electrohydraulic system is given as an example to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed design method. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.