To become a social worker, the typical requirements include earning a relevant degree, passing exams, and fulfilling any supervised experience mandated by the state or licensing body[1].
- Education: Obtain at least a bachelor’s in social work (BSW) from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Many roles and states require a BSW for entry-level licensure, while advancing to clinical or higher-level positions necessitates a master’s in social work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited institution[1][3][6].
- Licensure Exams: After earning your degree, you must pass the appropriate Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam. The exam level—bachelor’s, master’s, or clinical—depends on your degree and desired credential[1][3].
- Supervised Experience: For clinical licensure (e.g., LCSW), states commonly require post-master’s supervised work experience, often around 3,000 hours accumulated over two to three years. BSW-level licenses usually do not require supervised practice as a prerequisite, but MSW holders seeking clinical status do[2][4].
- Background Check and Application: Submit an application to the appropriate state board, including transcripts, exam results, documentation of supervised hours, and a criminal background check[2].
- CSWE Accreditation Requirement: Degrees must be from programs accredited by the CSWE. Lack of CSWE accreditation may disqualify a candidate from licensure, though rare exemptions can occur for certain established professionals[2][5].
- Career Development: MSW graduates can specialize in areas such as clinical social work, school social work, or healthcare, and generally have more career opportunities and a broader scope of practice than those with a BSW[1].
Expect the educational process (BSW and/or MSW) to take between 4-8 years, including necessary post-degree experience and exam preparation, depending on the level of licensure pursued[3].
References
- [1] How To Become A Social Worker | Social Work Degress And Careers
- [2] How to Become A Social Worker in Virginia
- [3] How To Become A Social Worker | Psychology.org
- [4] How to Become a Social Worker in Virginia
- [5] Becoming a Social Worker in Nebraska, License, Certification, Careers
- [6] Social Work License Requirements In Virginia
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