Social worker licensure requirements vary by state and level of social work practice. A master’s degree in social work, completion of internship hours, passing exams, and background checks are often necessary for clinical social worker designation. Consult government agencies or social work schools for specific requirements.
There are many ways to answer the question of how to obtain a social worker license, and one of them is that some people may not need one. Depending on where people live and what level of social work they wish to practice, licensure may not be necessary. It would be virtually impossible to describe all the ways in which each different area determines what social worker license, if any, is required. For most people, the best method for determining how to find out how to obtain a license is to check with government agencies first.
In the US, determination of social worker license is done at the state level, for example. Different states have different rules, and some rules don’t vary much from state to state. Those seeking a clinical social worker (LCSW) designation often need to meet similar requirements.
This includes having an RSU or Masters in Social Work and having completed a certain number of internship hours, around 3000, in addition to passing the exams. Once these requirements, which are again determined by the state, are met, people can obtain their LCSW. This usually entitles them to practice as therapists, although if they move from one area to another they need to register in a different region, especially in a different state.
There may be other types of social worker licenses that may be required to perform some types of work. For example, a person working for an LCSW who has not yet completed all of their internship work is sometimes able to obtain a temporary license that allows them to practice and complete their internship work. Those who have a RSU and are not interested in undertaking therapy may still need a social worker license as well. Some states have a licensing degree called an LM or licensed master social worker, which entitles people to hold many high-level social positions in a state.
One can obtain a social worker license with a bachelor’s degree in social work. Occasionally the title for this is simply LS or Licensed Social Worker. This, again, may require a variety of things such as passing tests, passing background checks, and being able to provide proof of a degree or experience. In rare circumstances, a person without a degree can also obtain some form of licensure if they work as a social worker for a variety of agencies.
It can be confusing to look at all the social worker license possibilities as they are different in each locality and it is difficult to predict the possibilities of working without a license in different regions. Rather than guessing, it’s best to consult the regional agencies that can perform licensing. If people are still in school, another good resource is the social work school. Most of them stay current on what is required for licensure and what the various licenses entitle a social worker to do.
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