Social work licensing requirements massachusetts

Each license has specific requirements and a different scope of practice. Below are more details about each level of social work licensure in the state. The requirements to earn a Licensed Social Worker Associate LSWA credential are the least stringent of all the licenses administered by the Board, but this credential still allows a licensee to gain meaningful social work employment.

To be eligible for an LSWA license, you must meet at least one of the following criteria:. Once you have met one of these requirements, you can follow the steps below to earn an LSWA license.

You must also request a sealed transcript of the highest degree you have received so that you can include it with your application.

The test consists of multiple-choice questions and must be completed in four hours or less. Once you have successfully completed the Associate exam and all other requirements for licensure have been met, you will be eligible to receive your LSWA license.

This license allows individuals to independently provide some basic social work services e. However, if you do not hold this degree, you can instead establish eligibility by completing a certain amount of supervised social work experience.

After you have met the educational and training requirements for LSWs, you can follow the steps below to earn your license. Once you are ready, you can begin the licensure process by completing the Social Worker Licensure Application. For this application, you will need to request a sealed transcript from the school where you earned your highest degree.

You must also provide information for three professional references including at least one LCSW or LICSW and documentation from a supervisor verifying your social work experience if applicable. Once you have gathered these materials, submit the application to the ASWB.

You will not be able to register for the exam until the ASWB reviews your LSW application and has determined that you are eligible to take the test. After satisfying the educational requirement, LCSW candidates can become licensed by completing each of the steps below. With this application, you will need to provide three professional references; at least one must be an LCSW or LICSW and one should be from the social worker who supervised your second-year field placement. You must also submit a sealed graduate transcript.

You can find out the expiration date of your license by searching for your name or license number here or by looking at the expiration date on your license card. You must complete your CEs by your expiration date.

At its meeting on March 24, , the Board of Registration of Social Workers voted to issue the following policy. At its meeting on March 24, , the Board of Registration of Social Workers voted to issue the following policy:. This form only gathers feedback about the website. Would you like to provide additional feedback to help improve Mass.

How much do you agree with the following statements in the scale of 1, Strongly Disagree, to 5, Strongly Agree? If you would like to continue helping us improve Mass. An official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Here's how you know Official websites use. Board of Registration of Social Workers. I want to Phone Fax Social work professionals without licensure can find employment as case workers or social and human services assistants.

LCSWs offer therapy to individuals, groups, and families. They can also diagnose and treat various mental and behavioral disorders. LSWs offer guidance and connect clients with mental health and community resources, but they do not provide the same therapeutic services as LCSWs.

Professionals that have earned a master of social work MSW degree have completed their graduate level training but have not obtained licensure. In order to earn clinical licensure, social workers need two years of supervised experience. Yes, LCSWs can open their own practice. Setting up an independent business usually demands financial investment and plenty of administrative work. Because of the added strain of opening a business, LCSWs might benefit from gaining a few years of experience before setting up their own practice.

Some states offer exceptions that allow social work licensure for human service professionals with an alternate bachelor's degree. BSWs typically take four years to complete and comprise credits. Social work majors take classes in case management, social justice, human behavior, and social welfare policy to gain an understanding of the field.

Beyond the classroom, BSW programs allow undergraduates to gain experience as supervised interns at local hospitals, nonprofits, schools, and social service agencies. Advanced standing allows social workers to complete an MSW in as little as one year. All CSWE-accredited MSW programs follow a similar curriculum, including clinical and non-clinical components, to combine classroom education with field experience. Some states require additional educational requirements for social work licenses.

For example, some candidates for licensure must complete additional coursework in social work ethics, substance abuse, child abuse, or cultural competence.

However, candidates looking to pursue higher-level licenses must gain qualified work experience. For eligibility as an LMSW-AG, most states require two years of supervised non-clinical work experience post graduation. To gain this experience, social workers seek out positions providing non-clinical social work services to clients, organizations, and communities.

Each state licensing board specifies the necessary amount of hours or years of work experience to apply for the advanced generalist examination. Many states require candidates to gain qualified work experience while under the supervision of senior social workers.