Your Roadmap to Practicing Social Work
Want to help people? Clinical social work is a great path.
If you want to help people improve their mental health and wellbeing, the field of social work might be for you!
You can learn about the journey ahead with this step-by-step road map.
How to Obtain LICSW Credentials in Washington State
Step 1: Complete Your Education
The first step in obtaining an LICSW in Washington is to earn a Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited program. The program should be accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
The MSW program generally takes two to four years to complete and provides foundational knowledge of social work theory, ethics, practice, and clinical skills.
During your MSW, you should aim to specialize in clinical social work if you're planning on working with individuals, families, or groups in a therapeutic capacity.
Step 2: Gain Required Clinical Experience
Once you've completed your MSW, you'll need to complete supervised clinical experience. In Washington, the state requires 3,000 hours of supervised post-graduate clinical social work experience.
Supervision: You'll need to be supervised by a licensed professional, such as an LICSW or another similarly qualified mental health professional. Your supervision must total 100 hours, of which:
Seventy hours must be with a LICSW.
The remaining hours may be with an equally qualified licensed practitioner.
Sixty hours of the 100 hours of direct supervision must be in one-to-one supervision. The remaining hours may be one-to-one or group supervision.
Clinical Focus: Your experience should involve direct client contact, assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and therapy for individuals, groups, or families.
Documentation: It's important to keep detailed records of your clinical hours, including supervision hours, to submit for licensure.
Step 3: Apply for Licensure
Once you have completed your required clinical hours, you can apply for the LICSW exam through the Washington State Department of Health (DOH).
You’ll need to submit your transcripts, a detailed record of your supervised experience, and complete the LICSW Application through the DOH website.
You will also need to submit documentation from your supervisor(s) confirming your clinical hours and supervision.
Step 4: Pass the Licensing Exam
After your application is approved, you’ll need to pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Clinical Exam. The exam tests your knowledge of clinical social work concepts, ethics, practice, and laws relevant to social work practice.
The ASWB Clinical Exam is a computerized test consisting of 170 multiple-choice questions and case vignettes.
Study materials are available through the ASWB website, and many social workers choose to take exam preparation courses to ensure success.
Step 5: Receive Your LICSW
Upon passing the exam, you’ll receive your LICSW license from the Washington State Department of Health. This license allows you to independently practice clinical social work, including providing therapy, assessment, and diagnosis without supervision.
Renewal: LICSW licenses need to be renewed every two years. Continuing education is required to maintain your license.
How to Obtain LCSW Credentials in Oregon
Step 1: Complete Your Education
Like in Washington, the first step in Oregon is to complete a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program. Oregon does not allow individuals to apply for licensure without this degree.
The MSW program typically takes two to four years to complete, and it provides the foundational knowledge you need for clinical practice.
Step 2: Gain Required Clinical Experience
After obtaining your MSW, you’ll need to accumulate 3,500 hours of supervised post-graduate clinical social work experience in which 2,000 must be direct client care. This must be done under the supervision of an LCSW or another licensed mental health professional.
You will be required to complete this clinical experience within no less than 24 months. Your experience should involve direct clinical work with individuals, families, or groups in a therapeutic or diagnostic capacity.
The supervision requirement is a little bit different in Oregon than in Washington. You’ll need the following:
Collect 100 hours of supervision from a LCSW.
At least 50 of these hours must be 1:1 supervision sessions, the rest may be done via group of no more than 6 associates per group.
Document your hours carefully and ensure that your supervisor is providing regular, documented supervision sessions as the associate must provide 6-month reviews to the Board of Licensed Social Workers (BLSW).
Step 3: Apply for Licensure
Once you have completed your required clinical hours, you’ll need to apply for your LCSW licensure with the Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers.
Submit your official transcripts, verification of supervised clinical hours, and a completed application form through the BLSW website.
You’ll also need to provide supervisor verification forms that confirm your clinical experience and supervision.
Step 4: Pass the Licensing Exam
Once your application is approved, you’ll be required to take the ASWB Clinical Exam. Like in Washington, the ASWB exam consists of 170 multiple-choice questions and is designed to assess your clinical knowledge and decision-making abilities.
Study guides and prep courses are available to help you prepare for the exam, and passing it is a crucial step in the licensure process.
Step 5: Receive Your LCSW
After passing the exam, you will receive your LCSW license from the BLSW. With this credential, you are legally allowed to provide clinical social work services independently.
Renewal: LCSWs in Oregon are required to renew their licenses every two years, and continuing education is necessary for renewal.
Once you achieve your LICSW and/or LCSW, you’ll have the ability to practice independently as a clinical social worker, providing therapy and clinical interventions to individuals and communities in need.
By following these steps and staying organized, you can successfully navigate the process of obtaining licensure in either state, allowing you to move forward in your career as a licensed clinical social worker in the Pacific Northwest.