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 Master’s 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 Master’s 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 Master’s 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 Master’s 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. Master’s 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. Master’s 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. Master’s 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. Master’s 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.