Requirements for social worker license

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To become eligible for the ASWB clinical exam, social workers must provide documentation of their qualified work experience and supervision hours. This guide provides general information about how to get a social work license. However, licensure levels and requirements differ significantly by state. Some states grant licenses to seasoned human service professionals with an associate degree or high school education. Other states only grant licenses to master's-level social workers.

Due to the significant differences among states, each candidate should research social work licensure in their intended state of practice. We cover the most common levels of licensure below. In most states, there is no on-the-job training or work experience required to become an LBSW. LBSWs often work in entry-level human services jobs and do not provide clinical services directly to clients.

To obtain a higher level of licensure, LBSWs must continue their education by attending graduate school. Some states require additional education in certain topics, such as social work ethics.

Students typically do not need to complete supervised postgraduate work experience to become LMSWs. Candidates can obtain this license immediately upon graduation from a CSWE-accredited MSW program with successful completion of all necessary testing and coursework. LMSWs work in many different settings, including schools, hospitals, nonprofit organizations, and human service agencies.

These social workers often progress into management roles and can provide services to individual clients, groups, and communities. In some states, the LMSW is the highest level of licensure for social workers interested in providing non-clinical services.

Most master's-level social workers interested in clinical work obtain LMSWs after graduation before pursuing roles that offer the appropriate supervised experience in preparation for seeking a clinical license in the future. Provisional License. Applicants with Health History. Applicants with Discipline History.

Applicants with prior disciplinary actions are required to submit the following: Board Actions — Certified copies of document s relative to any disciplinary action taken against any license. Applicants with Criminal History. Any such conviction or plea shall exclude the applicant or candidate from licensure, examination, certification, or registration, unless the sentence and any subsequent period of probation for such conviction or plea ended: For the felonies of the first or second degree, more than 15 years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation; For the felonies of the third degree, more than 10 years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation; For the felonies of the third degree under section The section above does not apply to candidates or applicants for initial licensure or certification who were enrolled in an educational or training program on or before July 1, , which was recognized by a board or, if there is no board, recognized by the department, and who applied for licensure after July 1, Within 30 days of submitting your application and fee for licensure, you will receive a written review of your application and supporting documents from the Board Office staff.

This review will be sent to your email, if listed on the application, or to your mailing address on record. If your application is missing items, you will receive a deficiency letter. If your application was submitted with all requirements and you meet the qualifications, you will receive an approval letter. Your application will not be processed until we have received a complete application and fee.

Upon submitting your application, you will be issued a file number to help track and reference your documents through the process. This number will not be the same as your license number and should not be used as such. Please understand that Chapter For the most expedited process, submit your application in 3 simple steps: 1. Certificate of completion of an 8-hour laws and rules course completed through a board approved provider listed on CE Broker.

Certificate of completion of a 2-hour domestic violence course from a board approved provider listed on CE Broker within six months of licensure. After the board has approved your application, you can take the ASWB advanced generalist exam , which takes four hours to complete and contains multiple-choice questions.

The board will receive your exam scores approximately two weeks after you complete the test. Upon determining that your application is complete, the board will issue your CMSW license.

Applicants must demonstrate that 24 credits covered clinically oriented human behavior and practice methods, including one course in psychopathology. This program must also have included a clinical practicum.

Once you have earned this degree, you can follow the steps below to become an LCSW:. Before submitting any application materials to the board, you first need two years at least weeks of clinical social work experience under the supervision of an LCSW. During these two years, you must complete at least 1, hours of direct clinical work with clients and receive at least hours of face-to-face supervision.

In addition to the graduate coursework, you must also complete three supplemental courses for LCSW licensure in Florida. The first of these is an eight-hour course on social work laws and rules, which you must complete before applying for your license.

If you do not complete these two courses by the time you apply for your license, you must submit additional paperwork stating that you will take them within six months of receiving your license. You can complete all required coursework through CE Broker. After you have completed your supervised clinical work and the supplemental coursework, you can submit an application to the board for an LCSW license. You can complete the application online or by mail. In addition to the application form, you must include the following materials:.

After the board reviews your application, you must take the ASWB clinical exam. This is a four-hour, item multiple choice exam. Once you have completed this exam, the ASWB reports your scores to the board in approximately two weeks. After the board receives your passing score, you will receive your LCSW license.

If you hold a social work license in another state, you can apply for a license in Florida through the "Applying by Endorsement" process. Applicants for LCSW licensure by endorsement must complete the domestic violence course within six months of achieving Florida state licensing.