Becoming a Licensed Social Worker

1
Becoming a Licensed Social Worker

• Jessica C. Smith
• March 30, 2007

2
Agenda

• Application Process
• Application and licensing information for
  graduate level licensure in different
  jurisdictions
• Requirements for advanced licensure
• Exam Information
• Test content
• Study tips and review guides

3
Application Process

• Different rules apply for different states.
• Each state has a state board of social work that
  can provide valuable information.
• Alabama www.socialwork.alabama.gov
• Maryland www.dhmh.state.md.us/bswe
• D.C. www.dchealth.dc.gov

4
Alabama, LGSW

• Licensed Graduate Social Worker
• Requires MSW from accredited school and passing
  exam score
• Application includes Application form (including
  work history), transcript showing degree
  conferred, and 75 fee
• Complete and submit application
• Receive permission to take national Masters
  level exam

5
Alabama, LCSW

• Alabama, Licensed Certified Social Worker
• Requires 2 years full time or 3 years part time
  supervision
• 4 hours per month of supervision for a total of
  48 hours per year
• Supervisor can be an LCSW in agency or a PIP
  (private independent practice) out of agency

6
Maryland, LGSW

• Maryland, Licensed Graduate Social Worker
• Requires MSW from accredited school and passing
  exam score
• Application includes application form, 3
  professional references, a letter from the school
  indicating academic status and pending
  graduation, and 100 fee
• Complete and submit application
• Receive permission to take national Masters
  level exam

7
Maryland, LCSW and LCSW-C

• Maryland, LCSW (Advanced Generalist, Licensed
  Certified Social Worker)
• 3000 hours work experience over 2-6 consecutive
  years
• 144 hours direct supervision, individual or group
  (group may not exceed 72 hours)
• Supervisor must be LCSW/LCSW-C and board approved
• Maryland, LCSW-C (Clinical, Licensed Certified
  Social Worker, Clinical)
• Same as LCSW except 1500 of 3000 work hours must
  be direct face-to-face client contact

8
District of Columbia, LGSW

• District of Columbia, Licensed Graduate Social
  Worker
• Requires MSW from accredited school
• Application must be submitted after applicant
  passes national Masters level exam
• Application includes application form, 2
  passport type photos, 3 character reference forms
  (2 professional), transcript showing degree
  conferred, an official copy of exam scores, and
  176 fee

9
District of Columbia, LISW and LICSW

• District of Columbia, LISW (Advanced Generalist,
  Licensed Independent Social Worker)
• 3000 work hours over 2-4 years
• 1 hour of supervision (individual or group) for
  every 32 practice hours
• LISW supervisor
• District of Columbia, LICSW (Clinical, Licensed
  Independent Social Worker, Clinical)
• Same as LISW, except supervisor must be an LICSW

10
The Masters Level Exam

• This is a national exam that applies to all
  states except California. It costs 175.
• The exam is administered through ACT centers
  across the country.
• There are 5 exam levels
• Associate
• Bachelor
• Master
• Advanced Generalist
• Clinical

11
Exam Format

• 170 multiple choice questions
• 150 questions count towards score
• Questions are pulled randomly from a large bank
  of questions
• Computer testing
• You have 4 hours to take
• the exam

12
Scoring the Exam

• Different scores for different states
• Calculating your score is not so simple

13
Masters Exam Content

• Human Development and Behavior in the Environment
  (18)
• Theories and concepts
• Application of knowledge
• Diversity and Social/Economic Justice (7)
• Diversity
• Social/economic justice and oppression
• Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment Planning
  (11)
• Biopsychosocial history and collateral data
• Assessment methods and techniques
• Assessment indicators, components, and
  characteristics
• Indicators of abuse and neglect
• Intervention planning

14
Masters Exam Content (cont.)

• Direct and Indirect Practice (22)
• Intervention models and methods
• The intervention process
• Intervention techniques
• Intervention with couples and families
• Intervention with groups
• Intervention with communities and larger systems
• Consultation and interdisciplinary collaboration
• Communication (7)
• Communication principles
• Communication Techniques
• Professional Relationships (5)
• Relationship concepts
• Social worker and client roles
• Ethical issues within the relationship

15
Masters Exam Content (cont.)

• Professional Values and Ethics (11)
• Professional Ethics
• Legal and ethical issues
• Confidentiality
• Supervision, Administration, and Policy (8)
• Supervision and staff development
• Human resources management
• Finance and administration
• Practice Evaluation and the Utilization of
  Research (2)
• Data collection
• Data analysis
• Utilization of research

16
Masters Exam Content (cont.)

• Service Delivery (9)
• Service delivery systems
• Obtaining services
• Effects of policies and procedures on service
  delivery

17
Studying and Exam Tips

• Spend the most amount of time on
• Areas with largest percentage of questions
• Areas you are weakest
• Pay attention to qualifying words like
• MOST and FIRST
• Always read the stem carefully!
• Flag questions for review

18
Study Aids

• www.socialworkexam.com
• www.aatbs.com
• www.ebay.com
• www.licensingprep.com
• www.socialworksearch.com/jewell
• Books!
• Study guides through ASWB
• Books from school

19
References

• Alabama Board of Social Work Examiners.
  www.socialwork.alabama.gov. Accessed March 26,
  2007
• Association of Social Work Boards. (2004). Study
  Guide, 5th ed. Virginia Author.
• Association of Social Work Boards. (2006).
  Candidate Handbook, 2006-2007. Virginia Author.
• Association of Social Work Boards. www.aswb.org.
  Accessed on March 26, 2007.
• District of Columbia Board of Social Work.
  www.doh.dc.gov. Accessed on March 26, 2007.
• Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners.
  www.dhmh.state.md.us/bswe. Accessed on March 26,
  2007.