Patricia Breslin, MSW, LCSWAssociate Executive Director

Board of Registration of Social Workers

(617) 727-3073Patricia.M.Breslin@state.ma.us revised 1/09

License = GoovernmentAdvocacy = Professional

Assoc. (NASW)

Ask the right person!

Use the web: Use the web: mass.gov/dpl/boards/sw

Do I need a license?

Practice is… professional service… fee… applying SOCIAL WORK

theory and methods.And it’s the LAW!

YES!!!

Do I still need a license if I’m a Macro major?

YES!!

LCSW = Licensed CertifiedCertified Social Worker (not Clinical)

Still required by the LAW!

How do I get a license?

• Education• Supervision• Examination• Moral Character

What’s “Moral Character” ?

• Perception of others (References)• Professional History (Recip Info)• Personal History (Felonies)

What Education is needed?

• LICSW = Master of Social Work• LCSW = Master of Social Work

DEGREE MUST BE EARNED

What Supervision is needed to become

licensed?• LICSW = 2 years post MSW by a

LICSWLICSW!!• LCSW = Field Placement Supervision

What Exam is needed?

• LICSW = ASWB Clinical • LCSW = ASWB Masters

4 hours; 170 multiple-choice questions

Will I pass the test?

Most Pass the First TimeQuality School = Quality Students

$30 Study Guide or $75 on-line practice exam (ASWB 1-800-225-6880, or Online at

www.aswb.org)

YES! YES!

YOU WILL PASS

Additional ResourcesNO ENDORSEMENT INTENDED

NASW live test prep course (members $100, non-members $155 www.naswma.org)

www.SWES.net (800) 933-8802

www.AATBS.com (800) 472-1931

BUT……….????

• Re-takes available in 90 days• $ for Exam only• Exam Approval is good for 1 year

How do I apply?ASWB

Association of Social Work Boards

(866) 527-2384(866) 527-2384www.aswb.org/massachusetts

What is the process?• Call ASWB: 1(866) 527-2384• Apply for pre-approval• Receive approval to test• Apply to register for the exam, via ASWB• PASS!!!!• Pay for license• Receive license**NOT LICENSED UNTIL ACTUALLY PAY

FOR THE LICENSE**

How long will it take?• Approval [2]

• Test Appointment [2-3]

• Official Score [1-2]

• Pay for license [0]

[Approximate number of weeks]

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?• $155 Application fee

($166 as of 7/1/09) --Cert. Check or money order to ASWB

• $175 for Examination• $57 for initial license

fee ($68 as of 7/1/09)

• GOOD NEWS: $68 (LCSW) and $82 (LICSW) every 2 years afterwards (as of 7/1/09. Still one of the lowest in the country!!

Seeking Licensure in Another State?www.ASWB.ORG

• Requirements are often similar• Most states will recognize exam scores if

taken in MA• For more info about specific state

requirements, visit www.aswb.org and check out the Laws and Regulations section.

I don’t wanna wait !!!“Nothing...shall prevent the practice of social work

by students…or interns or persons preparing for the practice of social work who have been approved to take the examination, so long as they are under qualified supervision in a recognized educational institution or facility so long as they are designated by such titles as "social work student", "social work trainee", or "social work intern”…”

Now that you are licensed…

Other Important Issues: MAILING ADDRESS

• PUBLIC RECORD!!!!PUBLIC RECORD!!!!• Current

– On-line change is the easiest www.mass.gov/dpl/boards/sw

– By mail– Acceptable to USPS

Other Important Issues: THE RULES

• First set of regulations is free and provided automatically when you request application from ASWB

• KNOW THE RULES!!

• Regulations are also on our website www.mass.gov/dpl/boards/sw

Other Important Issues: SCOPE OF PRACTICE

• LCSWs may not provide PRIVATE/ INDEPENDENT clinical services; may provide such services ONLY as an employee.

• LCSWs may provide clinical social work services ONLY under LICSW supervision.

Other Important Issues: SUPERVISION:

FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE

1 hour per week (or pro-rated), individual, face-to-face, by LICSW.

Supervision is required to Maintain your LCSW, it is not just for moving up to the LICSW.

SUPERVISION: NON -Clinical LCSW

No Supervision Required to MAINTAIN License

LCSWs may:Provide non-clinical social work services, as

defined in 258 CMR 8.05, including case management services of a non-clinical nature, autonomously in any practice

setting;

What is Clinical Social Work?• Use of your social work knowledge & training

to assess, diagnose, prevent or treat disorders, conditions, or addictions.

• Doing so through the provision of therapy to improve, restore or enhance…

• Includes: Individual, Family, Group, (etc.) counseling and performance of related collateral contacts and record keeping.

What is Non-Clinical Social Work?

• Use of your social work knowledge & training to improve, restore or enhance through the provision of services other than Counseling.

• Includes: Case management, community organization, program planning & dev., assessment of needs for non-clinical services…

Other Important Issues: CONTINUING ED*

– (a) LICSWs – thirty (30) continuing education hours– (b) LCSWs – twenty (20) continuing education

hours– (c) LSWs – fifteen (15) continuing education hours– (d) LSWAs – ten (10) continuing education hours

* Social Workers employed by the state, county or municipal government, shall be exempt from the continuing education requirement

Other Important Issues: CONTINUING ED

Criteria for Continuing Education Programs

• ALL CONTINUING ED PROGRAMS MUST BE REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY A RECOGNIZED SOCIAL WORK ENTITY*

Other Important Issues:

RENEWALS

• Approved C.E. is required per renewal cycle (be sure to review the Regs for any changes!)

• Renewals require certification• Random audits are performed after

renewal Timetable

RENEWAL TIMETABLE

{- 90 days} Renewal SentShould be locating all CEU documents now {- 3 days} Check in the mail - ? OK{+2 days} $57 late fee{+One year} PAIN, CEUs!{+Two years} TORTURE, RE-TEST!

Use the web: Use the web: mass.gov/dpl/boards/sw