Are you interested in utilizing a holistic, strengths-based, social justice oriented approach to improve the well-being of individuals, families and groups? Then a career as a clinical social worker might be a good fit for you!
According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), “Clinical social work is a specialty practice area of social work that focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental illness, emotional and other behavioral disturbances.”
Individual, group and family therapy are common treatment modalities utilized by clinical social workers. Clinical social workers work in various settings to include private practice, hospitals, primary care, community mental health, schools and other agencies to name a few. These individuals may work as directors, managers, psychotherapists and case managers.
Clinical Social Workers must be licensed at the clinical level in their state of practice to perform these services. A master’s degree is required, along with the completion of supervision hours, and additional coursework, if applicable. Additionally, one must pass the clinical social work exam to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Want to know more about what it takes to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)? Keep on scrolling!
Educational Requirements
To become a clinical social worker, you must have a Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) from an institution accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Once you complete your Masters degree, you must then become licensed as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW, LGSW or LSW). There are many rewarding jobs with a LMSW. Jobs include case management in a variety of settings, hospice and home health. Many social workers only pursue the LMSW as it opens many doors.
However, for clinical social work careers like psychotherapy or counseling, the LMSW is considered a provisional license as you must practice under supervision until you obtain your clinical social work license, which allows you to practice independently and bill insurance for services provided.
Provisional Licensure
To become a LMSW, you must take the “Master’s” exam offered by The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). The cost of the exam is $230. Once you pass the test, you can apply for licensure with your state licensing board. Many boards require your exam scores, which can be sent directly to the board by ASWB, your graduate transcript, an application and application fee.
To be approved to take the LMSW exam, contact your state licensing board. Many boards require your transcript, completion of an application and payment of fees. Once required items are received, the state board will send you an approval letter and will notify the ASWB that you have been approved for the exam. Once you receive your approval letter, you can schedule your exam at a local testing center through the ASWB.
Master’s Exam
The Master’s exam is a general exam that covers multiple areas of social work practice to include macro topics such as policy and community organizing and micro topics such as human development, assessment and intervention planning. There are various resources available to help you prepare for the LMSW exam to include books, courses, apps, online and in person study groups. I used the Pocket Prep LMSW app primarily and benefited from taking the exam a few weeks before I graduated since I applied to take the exam with the South Carolina state board. South Carolina allows MSW students to take the exam prior to graduating with a letter from your MSW program’s Dean certifying that you are in your final semester of your MSW program.
Some states have different provisional licensure processes.
For example, in North Carolina you can take the clinical exam, instead of the Master’s exam, upon graduating with your MSW if you plan to pursue licensure as a clinical social worker. After passing the clinical exam, you become licensed as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSWA) and must complete 3,000 hours of paid supervised clinical practice and 100 hours of supervision. After completing supervision, you can apply for the clinical social work license.
It’s best to consult your local board or the board in the state you wish to practice to confirm the steps needed to obtain provisional licensure.
To learn more about the clinical supervision process and clinical examination? Check out the next article in this series.
