How To Become Licensed Social Worker
Becoming a licensed social worker is a long and arduous process. It takes time, dedication, and a lot of self-reflection. But if you’re willing to put in the work, it will be worth it!
First things first: you need to get an education. This means going to a school where you can study social work. You can also choose to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or Counseling while earning your Master’s degree in Psychology or related field. You’ll learn how to help people deal with their problems and improve their lives through counseling sessions, therapeutic activities, and other interventions that help them heal themselves mentally or physically.
After graduating from college with your degree(s), you’ll want to find an internship program so that you can gain real world experience before going out on your own as an independent therapist or counselor (or even better yet—a licensed social worker!). This will help you figure out what kind of career path suits YOU best because every person has their own unique strengths and weaknesses when it comes down to working with others on personal issues such as depression or addiction. Once you have this information about yourself
How To Become Licensed Social Worker
If you visit any hospital, school, mental health facility, or nonprofit or human service agency in your community, you’re likely to find that social work plays an integral role in the services provided. Even behind the scenes, social workers fight to protect and improve the lives of vulnerable populations, including children and older adults. Social workers address mental and emotional health issues such as abuse, addiction and poverty.
Are you interested in pursuing a career in clinical social work? If so, you’ll need to become licensed to practice social work. Two common types of licensed social workers are licensed master social workers (LMSWs) and licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs). Each of these has similar responsibilities, but an LMSW is someone who has earned a master’s in social work and can pursue roles such as a caseworker while an LCSW can pursue higher positions and engage in unsupervised clinical practices such as psychotherapy.
If you’re passionate about helping others and believe you have what it takes, this guide has information about common steps for how to become a licensed social worker.
What Does a Social Worker Do?
So, what does a social worker do? Social workers provide essential services to individuals, families and communities. Social workers generally serve at-risk, underprivileged and disadvantaged populations. This can include working in mental health care focusing on victims of abuse, those experiencing substance use disorders, older adults and people who are incarcerated.
Social workers provide support to individuals through therapy, counseling and guidance. Different social work roles require different skills and specializations. Social workers also help people who are struggling with any number of issues navigate these experiences and find the care and support they need.
What Does LCSW Mean?
Earning a social work degree and a social work license are separate matters. A licensed master social worker (LMSW) is someone who has earned a master’s in social work. A degree is a sign of your education. A licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) is allowed to serve certain populations and provide different services as defined by state law. There are different types of social work licensure, including LCSW and LMSW, meaning these roles have different definitions under state law even if their educational requirements are similar.
An LCSW typically is allowed to provide psychotherapy, assessment-based treatment planning and diagnosis without supervision. An LMSW can only provide those services under the supervision of an LCSW, licensed psychologist or a psychiatrist. Both licenses allow social workers to serve individuals, couples, families and other groups. Obtaining an LMSW designation may be a requirement to advance to an LCSW license, depending on the state in which you hope to practice.
How to Become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker
While these are common steps for how to become an LCSW, it is important to research your state’s requirements.
1. Earn a Master’s Degree in Social Work
The first step for how to become a social worker is a degree. You can either complete a traditional Master of Social Work (MSW) program or an advanced standing MSW program to fulfill the licensed social worker education requirements. An advanced standing MSW will require you to have a Bachelor of Social Work. Typically, a traditional MSW will require you to have completed a bachelor’s degree program in any subject before enrolling. Many states also accept or encourage a doctorate in social work (DSW). Either way, confirm your program is accredited by the Council on Social Work EducationExternal link:open_in_new. This accreditation ensures the program follows standards and competencies necessary for post-graduation work and clinical licensure in your state.
2. Complete Additional Coursework
After you earn your master’s degree, you must complete additional coursework if you want to become a licensed clinical social worker. Required courses may discuss law or professional ethics. Though required coursework varies by state, several organizations, including the National Association of Social Workers (NASW),External link:open_in_new can be resources for completing additional coursework.
3. Complete Additional Hours of Supervised Clinical Experience
How to become a licensed social worker requires completing hours of post-MSW supervised clinical work. Completing these hours provides you with valuable clinical experience related to assessment, treatment, advocacy, research and psychotherapy counseling. You’ll learn how to guide in-person therapy sessions for individuals and groups. The number of supervised clinical hours (and other specifics) vary per state.
4. Pass the Required Licensing Exams
Each state has an independent licensing board that is responsible for regulating clinical social work within its borders and determines the licensure requirements. It’s essential that you check with your state board to ensure you have completed all prerequisites before registering for your social work licensing exam,External link:open_in_new which is done through the ASWB.
The ASWB currently requires a $230 fee for the master’s exam and a $260 fee for the advanced generalist or clinical exam. Note that these fees are independent from any fees required by your state licensing board.
5. Apply for LCSW Licensing in Your State
If you’re wondering how to become a social worker, you must learn the requirements outlined by your state licensing board. Though licensure application requirements vary, most states require that you meet clinical experience expectations, complete social worker education requirements, pass the ASWB exam, complete additional coursework and submit an application fee. State-specific social work licensing requirements are addressed in the next section.
6. Continued Learning and Clinical Licensure Renewal
The number of CE units required to renew an LCSW license varies by state, as does the number of units permitted from online sources. In addition to continued education units, states generally require a license renewal fee. Check your state board to confirm continued education and license renewal requirements.
How to Become a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
While these are common steps for how to become an LCSW, it is important to research your state’s requirements.
1. Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor’s degree is often required for anyone pursuing a career in social work.
A bachelor’s in social work (BSW) is a common first step toward a social work career.External link:open_in_new Graduates with this degree may work in entry-level social work administration positions. A BSW may prepare students for direct-service positions as case workers or mental health assistants. BSW programs are valuable in teaching students about diverse populations, human behavior and the basics of working in social work. These programs require students to complete undergraduate-level internships.
Some students may choose to get a bachelor’s degree in a related field. Most master’s programs will accept students with a liberal arts background; however, a bachelor’s degree in a related field such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, public health, education or women’s studies will provide a good foundation.
2. Earn a Master’s Degree in Social Work
A career in social work almost always requires a master’s degree or higher. Though there are some entry-level and support positions available to those without a master’s, the options are very limited. A master’s in social work (MSW) is required to become a licensed master social worker (LMSW) in most states.
There are a variety of MSW programs available. These programs generally require a bachelor’s degree with a liberal arts foundation or a BSW. Students with a BSW can often apply to an advanced standing program, which may require fewer credit hours and internship hours, accelerating the process.
Another option for those considering social work is an online MSW degree. Many schools offer both on-campus and online MSW programs. There are well-respected programs with high-quality resources available in an online format. This could provide a level of greater flexibility for students with busy schedules.
3. Complete Post-Graduate Hours
An essential component of any MSW program is an internship. In order to get experience, students must work directly with the public. These internship experiences provide essential training with real-world social work. Most master’s programs in social work require students to do around 900 hours of field workExternal link:open_in_new before graduation. Both online and on-campus programs require in-person fieldwork. Social work internships can occur in a number of different settings. These include schools, hospitals, community service agencies, correctional facilities and therapy practices.
In addition to educational internships, supervised clinical work after graduation is generally required to become a licensed master social worker (LMSW). Some states may require upward of 3,000 postgraduate supervised hours. Check with your state’s social work licensing board for more detailed information.
4. Pass the Required Licensing Exams
A major component in becoming an LMSW is passing a formal licensing exam. However, before you begin the test application process, you need to check with your local licensing board regarding laws, regulations and fees.
The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) administers licensing exams that are accepted in every state and in the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia and Manitoba. For exam registration, content outline, scoring and security information, visit the ASWB website.External link:open_in_new
5. Apply for Social Work Licensure in Your State
Social workers are required to have a license to practice in a clinical setting. A license allows social workers to practice as a licensed social worker or licensed clinical social worker, depending upon the state.
When pursuing social work licensure,External link:open_in_new graduates have multiple options. Graduates with an MSW can pursue a clinical license, which generally requires two years of supervised experience after completing a master’s in social work program. The LCSW designation is often required to work directly with clientele without supervision.
Alternatively a licensed master of social work (LMSW) does not require post-graduation experience. With this type of licensing, social workers cannot provide direct psychotherapy independently. They may work with an LCSW or as a macro social worker. In this role an LMSW may engage in community organizing, political advocacy and more large-scale work.
Requirements for different roles and social work licensure vary substantially by state. It is important to research the requirements in your state.
6. Continued Learning and License Renewal
Lifelong learning is essential to social work. It helps you stay current with regulations and is required to renew your license. License renewal is typically required every two years. To renew your license, you’ll likely need to take formal continuing education (CE) courses in social work,External link:open_in_new though CE requirements vary by state.
