IL Licensure LCSW

**As of January 1, 2022, Illinois will no longer require LSW applicants to take an exam to acquire their license.

The examination portion remains for the LCSW application.**

Fillable Certificate of Education

The following directions on how to apply for the Illinois LSW/LCSW have been adapted from the NASW IL website.

Step One: Download the Social Worker Examination Application

Applicants should download the Social Worker Acceptance of Examination Application from the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation (IDFPR) website. In the middle of the page, you will see a drop-down menu entitled "Licensee Application Forms". For those applying for the LSW or LCSW, please select "Social Worker- Examination" from the drop-down menu.

LCSW Applicants:

Select "Clinical Social Worker - Examination" for a detailed packet of instructions and application materials. In May 2015, we prepared Illinois' LCSW-examination packet for easier use, highlighting the important points to follow, including blank application materials for your use. Please review the IL LCSW Licensure Packet thoroughly. It will answer many, if not all, questions you may have. Please note: that packet is not‌ the 25-page packet from the state of Illinois, but it does include the important pages from it.

Step Two: Read the checklist items necessary for the licensure you seek

LCSW applicants, the Certification of Education form must be submitted to Loyola to get processed, which should be included in their licensure application. The Certification of Education Form can be submitted in person, by mail, or via email to the Student Services Office in the School of Social Work. An email request to complete these forms can be sent to SSW-licensure@luc.edu. Please be sure to include your mailing address, phone number, and the verification form attached to your email. The subject of your email should be "Illinois Licensure Request." This form can also be mailed, or dropped off at our office with the following information: 

Loyola University Chicago | School of Social Work

Attention: Amy Greenberg

Mailing Address | 820 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60611

Physical Address | 1 E. Pearson Ave. Office 546, Chicago, IL 60611

Email:SSW-licensure@luc.edu

With all submissions to the office, applicants should include instructions on where to mail the completed form and a contact number if we have any questions during processing or if they would like to pick up the completed form in person. If you have any questions about Certification of Education processing, please contact Student Services at 312-915-7039. Loyola University Chicago has created an Illinois Certification of Education Template that can be downloaded and filled out for submission to Student Services for processing.

Once applicants have submitted their Certification of Education form in person, by email, fax, or by mail, the Student Affairs office has 30–45 business days to process the form. Staff is not available to do same-day processing of submitted forms.

Please note the following:

• When preparing the Certification of Education form for processing by Loyola University Chicago, if you are not sure of the date your degree was conferred (#8 on the form), please leave this field blank and it will be completed for you. *The date your degree was conferred and the date of your graduation may be two different dates*
• Please do not make copies of or use white-out on the form you plan to submit to the State of Illinois: your application could be rejected and sent back to you.
• The application instructions state that the application must be completed in black ink only.
• Write N/A for Part 7 on the 4th page of the application.  There is no exam code when applying for an examination. Please see page one and the reference sheet in the State of Illinois packet, for more information

Step Three: Complete Application Materials

As you wait for the Certificate of Education to be processed, you may take this time to complete the other required materials. Refer to the Reference Sheet in the appropriate packet to determine which forms are required for your licensing application. LCSW applicants will have additional materials to submit.

Step Four: Receive your completed Certification of Education form

Once you have received the completed Certification of Education form, compile all of your application materials, including the Certification of Education form and mail them to the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. The address is included in the packet.

Step Five: Get Approved to Sit for the Exam

Once the IDFPR receives the application and all support documentation, IDFPR notifies the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) when you are approved to sit for the exam. Once an application is approved, you will receive a candidate handbook, a letter of approval, and a test code. (Turn around time is approximately two-three weeks if all documentation is received). You can then contact the ASWB Candidate Registration Center at 888.579.3926 or on their website to schedule your examination. The State of Illinois uses the Clinical Examination for the LCSW license. If unsure about eligibility, or for questions about the licensing procedure, contact the IDFPR Technical Assistance Unit at 217.782.8556. For additional information, please visit the NASW IL website. Also, be sure to check out the MSW Guide.

The Wisconsin Joint Board of Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Counseling, and Social Work credentials social workers who have education at the baccalaureate level or higher. Scope of practice is determined by education, examination, and supervised work experience.

A Social Worker (SW) has education at at least the bachelor’s level. An Advanced Practice Social Worker (APSW) has education at the master’s or doctoral level.

An Independent Social Worker (ISW) has met additional requirements and can practice independently. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) is a master’s social worker who has met specific additional requirements; his/her scope of practice includes psychotherapy.

A social worker training certificate is sometimes issued to an individual who is in their final semester of their graduate program.

Wisconsin requires that the university complete the education verification form and return it directly to the state.  Please make sure you include your Social Security number on your education verification form as it makes it easier to locate you in our database.   Your education verification form can be emailed to Amy Greenberg at agreenberg2@luc.edu. If you attended the SSW program at the Carthage Campus in Wisconsin, you should email Valerie Earl to complete your forms for you. Please be sure to include your mailing address and phone number. The SSW has 30-45 days to complete these forms and return them. The subject of your email should be "Wisconsin Licensure Request".

 This form can also be faxed, mailed, or dropped off to our Water Tower Campus office at the following location:

Loyola University Chicago| School of Social Work

Attention Amy Greenberg

Mailing Address| 820 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60611

Physical Address | 1 E. Pearson Ave. Office 548, Chicago, IL 60611

Email agreenberg2@luc.edu   | Fax 312.915.7090 

Search in the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services Website the various types of forms, under professions list, social worker DSPS.WI.GOV:

• SOCIAL WORK APPLICATION FORMS
• SOCIAL WORK –ADVANCED PRACTICE APPLICATION FORMS
• SOCIAL WORK –INDEPENDENT APPLICATION FORMS
• SOCIAL WORK –LICENSED CLINICAL APPLICATION FORMS
• SOCIAL WORK –TRAINING CERTIFICATE APPLICATION FORMS

Whether applying for the LMSW or LCSW, Loyola has to complete an education verification form for New York State.  Once it is complete, we mail it directly to the state.  We have included links to the state of NY website along with the appropriate forms. The LCSW form asks for course transcriptions that have to be completed by a member of student services. We have attached Form 2 that has been prepopulated with information from Loyola University Chicago. Often times, New York requires official transcripts.  These can be requested in LOCUS or through Registration and Records.  The School of Social Work is not responsible for requesting or providing these. 

The SSW has 30-45 days to complete these forms and mail them to New York. 

An email request to complete these forms can be sent to Amy Greenberg agreenberg2@luc.edu. Please be sure to include your mailing address, phone number and the verification form attached to your email. The subject of your email should be "New York Licensure Request".

 This form can also be faxed, mailed, or dropped off at the following location:

Loyola University Chicago| School of Social Work

Attention Amy Greenberg

Mailing Address| 820 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60611

Physical Address | 1 E. Pearson Ave. Office 548, Chicago, IL 60611

Email agreenberg2@luc.edu   | Fax 312.915.7090

LMSW

Licensure as an LMSW requires successful completion of the "Masters" (formerly Intermediate) examination administered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) or an examination determined by the Department to be comparable in content. 

To qualify to take the ASWB examination:

1. Submit an Application for Licensure (Form 1) and fee ($294) to the New York State Education Department.
2. Ask your school to verify your education directly to the New York State Education Department on Form 2.
3. The New York State Education Department must approve your education and all application materials. [NY will notify ASWB when you have satisfied the examination eligibility requirements.]
4. You must register directly with the ASWB to take the Masters examination. Information and the Candidate Handbook for the examination are available on the Web at www.aswb.org or through ASWB (see contact information). No other ASWB examination is acceptable for LMSW licensure.

LCSW

Licensure as an LCSW requires successful completion of the "Clinical" examination administered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) or an examination determined by the Department to be comparable in content.

To qualify to take the ASWB examination:

1. Submit an Application for Licensure (Form 1) and fee ($294) to the New York State Education Department.
2. Request your school to verify your education directly to the New York State Education Department on Form 2.
3. Request your supervisor to submit verification of your supervised experience in diagnosis and psychotherapy on Form 4B to the State Education Department. Applicants for licensure after November 15, 2007 must have the supervised experience approved in order to be admitted to the licensing examination.
4. The New York State Education Department must approve your education, experience and all application materials. [We will notify you and ASWB when you have satisfied the examination eligibility requirements.]
5. You must register directly with the ASWB to take the Clinical examination. Information and the Candidate Handbook for the examination are available on the Web at www.aswb.org or through ASWB (see contact information).

Note: Applicants who have passed the ASWB examination for licensure in another jurisdiction must have ASWB submit the score directly to the Department. We will not accept examination scores from third-parties, including the candidate or other jurisdictions.

Reasonable Testing Accommodations

If you have a disability and may require reasonable testing accommodations for the examination, you must complete ASWB's Disability Accommodation Form and submit it with supporting documentation directly to ASWB (see contact information). If your application for a reasonable accommodation is denied, or you have any complaints about your accommodations, please contact the New York State Board for Social Work (see contact information).

Note: New York State will not accept an examination given under non-standard conditions such as the use of a dictionary or extra time for applicants whose primary language is other than English. A candidate will be required to retake the examination under standard conditions.

Minnesota issues four different types of social work license: Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW), Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW), and Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW). LSW is the designation for baccalaureate level social workers. The other licenses require a master’s.

A person can apply for LGSW without work experience. The LGSW moves up to LISW or LICSW after a period of supervised experience. An LISW can go into independent practice in nonclinical social work. In order to go into independent clinical practice, though, the candidate must have an LICSW (http://www.socialwork.state.mn.us/).

The Application Process

Minnesota requires official transcripts.  These can be requested in LOCUS or through Registration and Records.  The School of Social Work is not responsible for requesting or providing these. 

The SSW has 30-45 days to complete these forms and mail them to Minnesota.

A background check is conducted at first application. Application fees are currently $45 for candidates at all levels (except for those applying by reciprocity – in this instance, the fee is $85). There is a fee of $15 for the background check. Temporary licenses are available for $50.

Candidates who were born in another country and speak English as a second language may apply for a provisional license if they don’t pass the ASWB exam. 2,000 hours of supervised work may be accepted in lieu of the exam. The candidate’s supervisor will need to evaluate the candidate every six months and attest to their competence at the end. Licenses are renewed every two years.

Form 2, (click here‌ for prefilled Loyola University Chicago PDF of Form 2), must be completed by Loyola University Chicago, and sent to the State. An email request to complete these forms can be sent to Amy Greenberg agreenberg2@luc.edu. Please be sure to include your phone number and the verification form attached to your email. The subject of your email should be "Minnesota Licensure Request". This form requires our department to do course transcriptions. 

For this reason, please submit your form via email, fax, mail, or drop off to the following:

 Loyola University Chicago| School of Social Work

Attention Amy Greenberg

Mailing Address| 820 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60611

Physical Address | 1 E. Pearson Ave. Office 548, Chicago, IL 60611

Email agreenberg2@luc.edu   | Fax 312.915.7090 

Becoming a LSW in Minnesota

A prospective social worker can begin by enrolling in a bachelor’s program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) or the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work. The candidate may submit a license application before graduation – this will allow the candidate to take the baccalaureate level licensing exam through the ASWB.

The LSW will work under a supervision plan until the candidate has accrued at least 4,000 hours of work experience. A supervisor must be a more experienced social worker (an LGSW, LISW, or LICSW, or LSW who has completed experience requirements). The Board may approve alternate supervision for a portion of the required hours.

The LSW needs 100 total hours of consultation/ supervision at a rate of four hours per 160 hours worked. At least 50 hours must be individual as opposed to group. At least 25 hours of individual supervision must be face-to-face with supervisor and supervisee in the same setting; the others may involve electronic communication devices so long as there is eye contact.

When it’s time for license renewal, the supervisee and supervisor will jointly fill out verification paperwork.

LISW Requirements in Minnesota

A prospective LISW (nonclinical social worker) should enroll in an accredited social work graduate program. As the candidate approaches graduation, the candidate will apply to take the master’s level exam and become an LMSW. As an LMSW, the LMSW will need a supervision plan. The LMSW must have 100 hours of supervision during the first 4,000 hours of practice. The supervision must be provided by a social worker with a higher level of licensing or, at the minimum, by an LGSW who has completed supervision requirements. (Alternate supervisors require board approval.)

Minnesota has both an online and paper application.  Please visit Minnesota's site.

for more information.  Minnesota requires official transcripts.  Please visit Registration and Records website to request these. 

Before the candidate can be awarded the higher license, LISW, the social worker must pass the ASWB advanced generalist examination.

An LISW may choose, at a later date, to do clinical work and pursue LICSW credentialing. The candidate will need to submit an LISW Clinical Supervision Plan.

Minnesota LICSW Requirements

Those interested in independent clinical work should make sure their graduate program includes 24 semester hours (or 360 clock hours) in clinical knowledge areas. Minimum hours for each of the six knowledge areas can be found on the board site. Social workers whose programs do not meet these standards will be allowed to make deficiencies up later through a combination of graduate level courses and continuing education.

The prospective LICSW will apply to the board for LGSW status. The master’s level exam will be a part of the licensing process.

The graduate social worker will work under supervision until the candidate has received 200 hours of clinical supervision. The candidate must receive this supervision at a rate of four to eight hours for every 160 hours worked. The total period of supervised experience will be 4,000 to 8,000 hours. During this time, the candidate must do at least 1,800 hours of work that involves direct client contact. Passing scores on the ASWB clinical exam will eventually be required.

LCSW Requirements in Florida

Degree programs should include at least 24 semester hours of clinically focused human behavior and social work practice methods courses; at least one course should be in psychopathology. There should be clinical fieldwork as well. However, candidates who do attend accredited nonclinical social work programs may make up clinical coursework deficiencies later.

LCSW candidates must work under supervision for at least two years (or 100 weeks) after completing their degrees. Before beginning the supervised clinical experience, a social work graduate must register with the Florida Board. The candidate must find a supervisor and put together a supervision plan. Any time the candidate adds or changes supervisors, the candidate will again need board approval.

Intern registration costs $150 and requires submission of an application packet or online registration. (http://flhealthsource.gov/mqa-services).

Before the candidate can apply for licensure, the intern must spend at least 1,500 hours providing face-to-face psychotherapy. The Board has strict rules about clinical supervision. The intern must have an hour of supervision for every 15 hours of psychotherapy the candidate conducts; at least one hour of supervision must be provided every two weeks. Some of the supervision may be in a group setting; group supervision sessions, however, must alternate with individual. (If there are two interns in session, the Florida Board will accept the supervision as individual – this is not the case with all states.)

The licensing exam may be taken before or after completing the supervised practice requirement. Board approval is required. If a candidate had clinical coursework or practicum deficiencies at the time the candidate began the internship, the candidate will need to remove them before the candidate will be allowed to test. Once approved, the candidate may register with the ASWB to take the exam. The candidate will pay examination fees directly to the ASWB.

An endorsement candidate or an in-state candidate who has completed internship requirements may work under a provisional license while fulfilling examination requirements. The provisional license is good for 24 months.

Florida requires a few additional classes before awarding professional licensure. They can be taken as continuing education. Among the requirements are an eight hour Board-approved jurisprudence (laws and rules) course and a two hour course in the prevention of medical errors. Candidates must take approved HIV/AIDS and domestic violence courses within 6 months of the time they are licensed if they have not done so already.

Professional licensure requires a $100 application fee and a $105 licensing fee. Application Packet: (http://flhealthsource.gov/mqa-services).

Licenses must be renewed biennially.

CMSW Requirements in Florida

Master social workers should have degrees from CSWE-accredited schools and be able to demonstrate coursework in eight specific areas including agency administration, advocacy, and research.

Three years of experience is required; at least two must be post-master. If the social worker enrolls in a doctoral program, experience hours earned during this period may be counted. The two years of post-master experience may be supervised by a clinical social worker or by a person who meets the education and experience requirements for certification as a CMSW.

Both clinical and administrative work may be included. Rules and forms are available from the Florida Board in Microsoft Word format (http://flhealthsource.gov/mqa-services).

MCSWs must pass the ASWB’s advance generalist exam.

Florida offers the following types of licensure:

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Registered Clinical Social Worker Intern

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist

Registered Marriage & Family Therapist Intern

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern

Dual Licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist

Limited Licensure

Certified Master Social Worker

Qualified Supervisor

Becoming a Social Worker in Arizona

All applicants for social work licensing must have a degree from a program that is accredited by CSWE or from a foreign program that the Foreign Equivalency Determination Service of CSWE judges equivalent. Arizona requires official transcripts.  Transcripts can be requested in LOCUS or through Registration and Records.  The School of Social Work is not responsible for requesting or providing these.

A licensing exam is required at each licensing level. All applicants need to apply to the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners for permission to take the exam. The notarized application must include the supplemental forms required at that practice level. Application forms are available on the Board website (http://www.azbbhe.us/node/557). At first application, the prospective social worker must send fingerprints or a clearance card; s/he has the option, on subsequent application, of noting that the documentation is already on file. The application fee is currently $250.

Candidates may apply to work under a temporary license ($50) while they are going through the testing process. The Arizona Board allows two examination attempts over a twelve month period. Candidates must re-apply if they don’t pass in the allotted time but still desire licensing. Temporary licenses expire after examination failure.

LBSW Requirements in Arizona

Graduates from baccalaureate programs may be licensed on the basis of either the ASWB baccalaureate level examination or a higher level examination. Baccalaureate social workers must work under direct supervision (in an employer-employee capacity), but, under most circumstances, do not need to demonstrate that they’ve served a minimum number of hours. Those that wish to practice non-clinical social work independently must demonstrate 3,200 hours of supervised social work experience gained over at least a two year period. Baccalaureate social workers carry out clinical duties only under direct supervision.

LMSW Requirements in Arizona

Graduates of master’s or doctoral level social work programs should take the master level exam given by the ASWB. Master social workers who desire clinical status must put in 3,200 hours of supervised work experience over at least a two year period. At least 1,600 must involve direct client contact. During the period of supervised work experience, the master social worker must have 100 hours of clinical supervision. At least 50 hours of supervision is to come from a social worker who holds independent licensing. The remaining 50 may come from another qualified professional. Although Arizona has strict rules regarding the qualifications of clinical supervisors, exemptions may be granted in cases of hardship.

If there is no suitable professional employed at the agency, the Board may allow someone from outside to supervise. However, there will be additional requirements. The supervisor and agency must enter into a written contract that meets Board mandates.

The supervisor will evaluate the social worker’s skills and conduct and submit this as part of the application for clinical level licensing.

Licensed are renewed every other year and require 30 hours of continuing education.

Licensed Baccalaureate or Master Social Worker

Application for LBSW / LMSW

Resource Guide LBSW / LMSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Application for LCSW

Resource Guide - LCSW

Social Work Licensure Requirements in Michigan

Michigan credentials social workers and social service technicians. Bachelor’s Social Workers (abbreviated as BSW or LBSW) and Master Social Workers (MSW or LBSW) are licensed; job duties at these levels of practice can only be performed by licensed individuals. Workers at the lower level are registered. Duties at this level are not reserved, by law, for individuals with credentialing; still it can be an advantage to have state recognition.

There are two types of MSW license: (Macro and Clinical). Macro social workers carry out tasks like community organization, program planning, administration and evaluation, and social welfare policy. They may assess client’s service needs from a service-oriented standpoint. Clinical social workers may conduct psychotherapy and do case management for high risk individuals.

Getting fingerprints done and having a criminal background check is part of the licensure process at any level. Currently, the application fee is $40 and there is no exam. 

SST Requirements in Michigan

Social Service Technician is the entry level license in Michigan. It is for individuals with associate’s degrees or comparable experience. There are several eligibility paths for technicians. An associate’s degree in social work leads to immediate eligibility – so long as the program and/or GPA meet the Board’s minimum standards.

Individuals with at least 60 total units of college and at least 4 courses that are relevant to human service work may apply for the credential – provided they find a job in human or social services. If they have no college, they must first work a year under the supervision of a BSW or MSW.

BSW Requirements

After receiving a degree one should apply for the limited BSW license. Click here to download the application.

This will allow one to get a job doing baccalaureate level social work; it will also allow one to complete their licensing requirements. After one receives their limited license, they will be eligible to take the baccalaureate level exam through the ASWB.

A limited license holder must work under supervision while accruing the 4,000 experience hours. The Board notes that a supervisor is not the same thing as an administrator; the supervisor must offer guidance as well as licensing-oriented review. The supervising professional should be an MSW. If there is not an appropriate professional at the agency where the person works, he can contract with one. Sometimes the Michigan Board allows supervision by someone other than an MSW, but permission must be sought beforehand.

The BSW limited license holder may work part-time or full-time (16 – 40 hours per week). He should have four hours of supervision a month. At least 1 hour must be devoted to individual review. His supervisor(s) will verify the experience later.

MSW Requirements in Michigan

Prospective MSWs should enroll in CSWE-accredited master’s programs. After the degree has been conferred, the prospective MSW will fill out an application for limited licensure (LL) as a macro or clinical social worker. Application materials can be viewed online by clicking here.

Approved macro applicants will take the advanced general exam, clinical applicants, the clinical exam.

The MSW should seek a job in their intended practice area (clinical or macro). They will need a supervisor who is in the same area of practice. They will work under supervision until they have accrued at least 4,000 hours. They may work between 16 and 40 hours a week and accrue up to 2,000 hours in a year. (The initial license is granted in just one practice area, but a social worker may eventually earn both designations; to do so, he will need to work under supervision 2,000 hours in the second area.)

At the end of supervision, supervisors will fill out verification forms.

Additional Information

The renewal period is generally three years; initial/ limited licenses may be issued for a shorter period. Continuing education is required of baccalaureate and master’s level social workers. Technicians are encouraged, but not required, to take continuing education.

Application for Master's Social Worker or Bachelor's Social Worker License or Social Service Technician Registration

Many of our Social Work Alumni relocate to the United Kingdom. The UK Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) requires that Loyola University Chicago- SSW must complete a Course Information Form for every course taken while enrolled in the program. In order to use it, you will need to download it, and email it to Amy Greenberg at agreenberg2@luc.edu. We will then fill it in electronically, print it out and stamp it, and then mail it back to you. You will then need to include it with the rest of your application.  The SSW has 30-45 days to complete these forms and return them back to you. 

An email request to complete these forms can be sent to Amy Greenberg agreenberg2@luc.edu. Please be sure to include your mailing address and phone number and one copy of the Course Information Form attached to your email. The subject of your email should be "UK Licensure Request".

 This form can also be faxed, mailed, or dropped off to our office at the following information:

Loyola University Chicago| School of Social Work

Attention Amy Greenberg

Mailing Address| 820 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60611

Physical Address | 1 E. Pearson Ave. Office 548, Chicago, IL 60611

Email agreenberg2@luc.edu   | Fax 312.915.7090 

Please visit the links below for the most up to date application materials and instructions.

Information Regarding International Applications

Pennsylvania requires official transcripts.  These can be requested in LOCUS or through Registration and Records.  The School of Social Work is not responsible for requesting or providing these. Applicants applying for the Social Worker license can apply during their final semester of the program.  There is a form that will need to be completed by Loyola. The SSW has 30-45 days to complete these forms and mail them to Pennsylvania. An email request to complete this form can be sent to Amy Greenberg agreenberg2@luc.edu. Please be sure to include your mailing address, phone number and the verification form attached to your email. The subject of your email should be "Pennsylvania Licensure Request".

 This form can also be faxed, mailed, or dropped off to our office at the following information:

Loyola University Chicago| School of Social Work

Attention Amy Greenberg

Mailing Address| 820 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60611

Physical Address | 1 E. Pearson Ave. Office 548, Chicago, IL 60611

Email agreenberg2@luc.edu   | Fax 312.915.7090

LSW Requirements in Pennsylvania

Licensure requires either a doctoral degree or a master's degree that has been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. If the program has candidacy status with the ASWB (a status granted to new programs) a graduate cannot be licensed until accreditation is granted. Foreign programs may be accepted if deemed equivalent.

Licensure as an LSW also requires a passing score on the ASWB master's level exam. A candidate must apply to the Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors for permission to test. This may be done during the final semester of the master’s program. At the LSW level, the application fee is $25. The fee for testing is steeper: $230. It is paid to the ASWB once permission has been granted. A candidate then schedules his own exam at his convenience.

LCSW Requirements

In order to move up to an LCSW license, the LSW will need to complete 3,000 hours of work experience that meets Board requirements. He will not be able to do so in less than two years. At least half of the credited hours must be spent in particular duties: assessment, consultation, therapy, and other psychosocial-therapeutic interventions. All hours must be in a setting that is appropriate for the delivery of clinical social work services.

After completing experience requirements, the social worker will need to take a clinical exam, again administered through the ASWB.

At the LCSW level, the application fee is $45.

Provisional Requirements in PA

The provisional social work license requires a CSWE-accredited bachelor's degree and three years of supervised work experience. It also requires a passing score on the ASWB bachelor's exam. The application fee is just $25, but candidates can expect to pay a $230 examination fee to the ASWB if they have not passed the exam in another municipality.

While working as a provisional licensee, a practitioner must be under the supervision of a licensed social worker.

Provisional licenses are good for two years and can be issued up to three times. The provisional social worker must surrender his license, however, if he discontinues master's level studies in social work.

The Licensing Process

Candidates can download applications for licensure from the Board site.

LSW and LCSW licenses are renewed biennially. Social workers need to obtain 30 clock hours of continuing education.

Colorado Social Work Licensure Requirements

Colorado requires official transcripts.  Transcripts can be requested in LOCUS or through Registration and Records.  The School of Social Work is not responsible for requesting or providing these. Colorado makes a distinction between clinical and non-clinical social work. Colorado’s practice act states that graduates of social work programs at either the baccalaureate or master’s level may call themselves social workers.

What they can’t do is practice clinical social work – or use that job title. In order to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state, a prospective social worker must fulfill a supervised practice requirement and take a licensing exam and a jurisprudence exam. While working toward this status, he is registered as a Licensed Social Worker (LSW).

Becoming an LSW in Colorado

LSW requirements in Colorado include completing an accredited master’s program.

Post-graduation, a social worker will begin the licensing process as an LSW (Click Here to go to the Colorado State Board of Social Work Examiners website). There are a few steps that need to be carried out in advance. Applicants need to obtain official transcripts. They should also go online to take the Colorado Mental Health Profession’s Jurisprudence Examination. They may make more than one attempt, but must wait ten days in between. When a candidate passes, he should print out the results to include in his application packet.

The application packet must be accompanied by a processing fee. It should be sent to the Division of Professions and Occupations, Office of Licensing-Social Worker (Click Here for the Social Work Licensure application.). The fee is currently $60 at the LSW level, $70 at the LCSW level.

The next step, after application, is to fill out a Healthcare Professions Profile. Applicants will need to wait at least a few days for their information to be entered into a database, but the process should not take more than two weeks.

After the application has been approved, the social worker can register for a licensing exam with the ASWB. At this stage, he can opt for either the master, clinical, or advanced generalist test. (Before being licensed as a clinical social worker, however, he will need either the clinical or advanced generalist exam under his belt.)

Although the LCSW license is the usual credential, some candidates work under a provisional license. In order to be eligible, they must work at residential childcare facilities. They can only get credit for hours they work if they are meeting the requirements set by the board for LSWs.

Social workers who are practicing under supervision should be aware that they need to be registered in Colorado’s Registered Psychotherapist Database before they begin accruing hours unless they already hold a license that allows for the practice of psychotherapy.

Becoming an LCSW in Colorado

In order to attain full licensure, social workers must accrue 3,360 hours of supervised work experience over a period of no less than 24 months. At least 1,680 of the hours must be spent in a role that includes testing, diagnosis, assessment, treatment, or counseling. Up to 1,200 hours may be credited for the teaching of social work or psychotherapy.

Supervision is to be provided by a clinical social worker. 96 hours of clinical supervision is required; it should be spread out over the course of the supervision period. At least 48 of the supervision hours should be individual.

At the end of the supervision period, the supervisor will submit verification to the Colorado Board. If the social worker took the master examination for LSW status, he must take one of the higher level exams before he can get his LCSW license.

The social worker must again submit an application and processing fee. Colorado requires professional development during each renewal period.

Links to the appropriate forms for the State of Colorado are below:

Licensed Social Worker (LSW) Applications and Forms

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Applications and Forms

Provisional Social Worker (SWP) Applications and Forms

Jurisprudence Resources

Summary of Mental Health Credential Requirements

Requirements

The Canadian social work regulatory board requires that social work degrees must be obtained from programs of social work that are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE), or other nationally recognized accrediting agencies. Degrees earned outside the U.S. and Canada must be determined to be equivalent. One widely used equivalency service is the CSWE International Social Work Degree Recognition and Equivalency Service.

Non-social work degrees are accepted in some instances for Bachelors licenses. Some jurisdictions regulate only one of these practice categories, while most regulate two or more categories of social work practice. A summary table containing the licensing requirements may be accessed through ASWB’s social work regulation database.

Canada requires official transcripts.  These can be requested in LOCUS or through Registration and Records.  The School of Social Work is not responsible for requesting or providing these. 

Email your Verification Form to Amy Greenberg at agreenberg2@luc.edu. We will then complete it, print it out and then mail it back to you. You will then need to include it with the rest of your application.  The SSW has 30-45 days to complete these forms and return them back to you. 

An email request to complete these forms can be sent to Amy Greenberg agreenberg2@luc.edu. Please be sure to include your mailing address and phone number and the Verification Form attached to your email. The subject of your email should be "Canada Licensure Request".

 This form can also be faxed, mailed, or dropped off to our office at the following information:

Loyola University Chicago| School of Social Work

Attention Amy Greenberg

Mailing Address| 820 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60611

Physical Address | 1 E. Pearson Ave. Office 548, Chicago, IL 60611

Email agreenberg2@luc.edu   | Fax 312.915.7090 

Below are links to Canada's Application Website:

Application Package

Verification Form (To be completed by Loyola)