When someone thinks about a social worker’s job, a common image that is conjured up is that of a therapist, focusing on individual, family or group therapy, to help people in crisis resolve issues and move forward with their lives. But the beauty of social work is that it encompasses many specialties and practices, and populations that can be served.
Many times, however; a license is required to work in certain capacities as a social worker and some jobs can only be held by licensed practitioners. This guide covers social work licensing, why it is important, the differences between social work licenses, examples of state requirements and instructions on how to begin the social work licensing process.
In this guide- What is a licensed social worker
- Why is licensing important
- Differences between licenses
- BSW licenses
- MSW and DSW licenses/a>
- State requirements
- Licensing process
- Summary
What does it mean to be a licensed social worker?
A license indicates that the individual has completed strict requirements demonstrating knowledge and competency. In some fields, such as in social work, because practitioners work so closely with individuals and families, licensing applicants must also demonstrate ethical practices (as verified by supervisors).
Once a license is granted, social workers must regularly complete ethics training. A licensed social worker has shown that they are experienced, knowledgeable, and trustworthy enough to work with vulnerable populations and will do so in a professional manner.
Why is licensing important?
Licensing is important because it assures the public that social workers have the necessary education and training to provide ethical and competent services. In order to obtain a license, social workers must pass an exam that tests their knowledge and skills.
For the highest levels of social work licensing, the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) as it is called in some states, the practitioner must also complete thousands of hours of supervised practice before even being eligible to apply for the license.
Social workers in all states must complete continuing education hours and topics on a regular basis to continue demonstrating competence in order to maintain their license.
For example, Arizona requires licensed social workers to complete 30 continuing education hours every two years. Connecticut requires 15 continuing education hours each year, with at least two hours required in mental health treatment topics and at least one hour a year in culture-focused topics. Louisiana requires 20 hours of continuing education annually for licensing requirements, with three of these hours required in professional ethics.
If a serious complaint is lodged against a licensed social worker that is found to be substantiated, the state social work board must investigate. The board may revoke the practitioner’s social work license, rendering them unable to practice.
This is another way in which the public can be protected from a practitioner acting in an unethical way. Fortunately, this is rare, as the majority of licensed social workers have long careers of serving the disadvantaged and truly making a difference in others’ lives.
Primary differences between social work licenses
The biggest difference between social work licenses are their requirements and the levels and types of social work that can be practiced.
Social work licenses typically do not exist for social workers with solely an Associate in Social Work (ASW) degree. This is because the ASW is a degree that prepares students for assistant-level positions, and not practitioner level roles.
It is intended to prepare students for continuing on and completing a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree. Thus, if one wants to become a licensed social worker, the minimum degree to be earned is a BSW.
However, though many states have already or are phasing out this level of license, sometimes a Social Worker Associate license is available. These roles are primarily assistant-level roles. Everything, both clinical and nonclinical work must be supervised at this level by a highly licensed professional.
Licenses available with a BSW degree
While the names of these licenses may change from state to state, social work licenses available to BSW graduates are very similar. Each license requires supervision from highly licensed professionals, as social workers at this level have not had the necessary education, experience, or skill development to practice independently. Some of the licenses that BSW graduates can earn are:
- Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW): these licensees can perform general social work services, but only under supervision.
- Licensed Social Work Associate (LSWA): for nonclinical service provision only, LSWAs also always require supervision by a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
- Certified Social Worker (CSW): Depending on the state, this license may require a BSW with a year of post-degree experience or an MSW degree to be eligible. Either way, supervision is required for both clinical and nonclinical service work.
Licenses available with an MSW or DSW degree
Again, the names of these licenses may vary from state to state. The most common social work licenses for those with an MSW or DSW degree include:
- Licensed Social Worker (LSW): Often reserved for new MSW graduates without any prior license, the LSW is for new practitioners in nonclinical settings. These licensees will for example, refer clients to community services and assist in community development-type work, but no clinical services are allowed to be practiced under this license.
- Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW): this mid-level license allows licensees to practice both clinical and nonclinical social work under supervision. Clinical social work must be supervised by an LICSW or LCSW. Many MSW graduates become licensed as a LGSW while working on their supervised hours for eventual higher licensing levels.
- Licensed Social Worker – Administration (LSW-ADM): For those wanting to work in administration, a few states offer this license that demonstrates advanced practice skills and experience in management, in order to oversee a staff of licensed social workers.
- Licensed Social Work Associate & Independent Clinical (LSWAIC): This license is unique in that it is another ‘stepping stone’ type license obtained after the MSW or DSW degree to provide supervised clinical services, but some states require a letter of intent to be signed that indicates the licensee will actively be gaining the required number of hours in order to progress to a higher level of licensure. Licensees are not expected nor encouraged to stay at this licensing level any longer than necessary, rather, they are to gain the necessary hours of experience and gain skills to become an independent social work practitioner.
- Licensed Master Social Work (LMSW): After completing a requisite number of hours in nonclinical, post-MSW practice, licensees work in case management, policy, and community development arenas.
- Licensed Master Social Work Advanced Generalist (LMSW-AG): This license is often considered to be the terminal license for nonclinical social workers. Building upon the LMSW license, these practitioners have 2+ years of additional nonclinical, macro-level work after the LMSW.
- Licensed Advanced Practice Social Worker (LAPSW): Licensees that have extensive post-masters supervised experience can provide more complex services including counseling, administration, and case management, but cannot provide independent psychotherapy.
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW): The LCSW or LICSW is the terminal license for social workers in clinical practice. These practitioners have demonstrated extensive knowledge and skills in providing direct clinical services to clients. LCSWs or LICSWs may have an independent practice, and can diagnose and treat behavioral and mental health disorders.
State requirements
Every state has its own licensing board that oversees licensed social workers. The state licensing board sets the application requirements for the various levels of licensing available to a social worker in that state.
The board also approves or rejects licensing applications. For those who do become licensed by the state, the board tracks continuing education hours and as mentioned previously, investigates allegations of unethical behavior by licensed social workers. The board has the authority to revoke one’s social work license if found to be in violation of their code of conduct.
We have a handy guide on social work licensing requirements and processes by state. This guide links directly to the social work board websites of each state, making it easy to determine the steps involved in applying for a license. You’ll want to bookmark this guide and refer back to it often if you’re interested in embarking upon the path of becoming licensed.
How to begin the licensing process
For those considering becoming a licensed social worker, first check out our guide on how to become a social worker. You’ll want to ensure your degree will be earned from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
The CSWE is the only organization in North America that evaluates schools of social work and their degree programs to make sure they meet strict criteria. Accreditation means that the school provides a high-quality education that meets standards for educating and preparing competent social work practitioners.
Each state licensing board requires LCSW applicants to have graduated from an accredited program, because this confirms that the applicant has had the necessary education and training to safely and effectively help people in need without causing them harm. Graduates from an unaccredited program are not eligible to apply for a license in social work.
Next, read up on the licensing requirements of your state. It is recommended that one becomes licensed in one state first before applying for licensure in another state, as many states offer reciprocity in accepting licenses. This means that the process may be much easier and faster to earn licensure in another state once the first license has already been completed.
After the requisite degree has been earned and if supervised clinical hours are required and have been completed, it is time to take the licensing exam.
The Association of Social Work Boards (AWSB) is the organization that develops and maintains social work licensing examinations. They offer online practice tests to prepare for one of their five available licensing exams. Exams are held at testing centers around the world, and results sent to the state licensing board that you designate.
Each state indicates which ASWB exam is required for their various levels of licensure. The ASWB exams include:
- Associate: This is for the few, if any, states that still allow licensure for those without a BSW degree.
- Bachelors: This exam is for licensing BSW degree holders for basic generalist practice.
- Masters: This exam requires an MSW or MSSW degree and evaluates the applicants’ ability to practice master’s level social work, which includes applying specialized knowledge and advanced practice skills.
- Advanced Generalist: Requiring an MSW/MSSW, plus two years of experience in a nonclinical setting, this exam evaluates the preparedness of the applicant for advanced generalist practice in nonclinical settings, including macro-level social work practice.
- Clinical: This exam requires an MSW/MSSW, plus two years of experience in a clinical setting. The exam evaluates preparedness for practicing clinical social work that utilizes advanced clinical skills and specialized clinical knowledge.
Once the examination is passed, the applicant can complete the necessary paperwork at their state level to become licensed. Licensing can be a long and arduous process, but the end result is well worth it.
Summary
Numerous licensing options exist for social workers with bachelors and masters degrees. Differences exist in the education and experience requirements to earn the license as well as the type of work allowed when practicing under a specific license. A licensed social worker has demonstrated that they have the extensive knowledge, skills and experience to safely and competently work with vulnerable members of the community.
The highest level of licensure is the LCSW or the LICSW. An individual with this license can provide psychotherapeutic services in their own practice, without needing additional supervision. These social workers also tend to make the highest salaries.
If this career path is for you, this guide will be of immense assistance in making those dreams come true.