Getting Started with Social Work Licensure

TIP: An important and helpful resource for understanding the basics of licensure and supervision requirements is the BOSW Student Handbook.

Getting started with Licensure overview:

Step 1: Determine the level of licensure you are seeking.

Step 2: Determine if your current work meets the definition of social work practice (for LSW, LGSW or LISW) or clinical social work practice for (LGSW or LICSW)

Step 3: Locate a licensed social worker who is eligible to provide you with supervision.

Step 4: Locate a supervisor who meets the requirements and submit a Supervision Plan.

Getting started with Licensure in further detail with images: You make click to enlarge each image as needed.

Step 1: Determine the level of licensure you are seeking.

BSW -> LSW Licensure

MSW or DSW -> LGSW to the LISW (generalist social work) or LICSW (clinical) tracks

Step 2: Determine if your current work meets the definition of social work practice (for LSW, LGSW or LISW) or clinical social work practice for (LGSW or LICSW)

Would what you do in your employment position qualify as "social work practice?" (see definition below)

If you are seeking clinical licensure, are you providing "clinical social work practice?" (are you completing DAs and providing therapy services?)

Do you have a job title with the name "social worker" in it? (its okay, if you don't!)

TIP: You will need to have a copy of your current job description to submit with your paperwork to the MN BOSW. You can add an addendum to your job description, if you job description does not explicitly describe your job with the same wording as the definition of social work or clinical social work practice. You will need a verified copy of the addendum from your employer.

Other Requirements for the LICSW Track:

If you are seeking LGSW licensure to become a LICSW, you have 2 other important requirements to be aware of:

1) Educational MSW Requirements

360 Clinical Clock Hours - before you apply to become a LICSW you must have obtained 360 Clinical Clock Hours of content in the various categories detailed below. Your MSW program will be able to help you determine, if you have met this requirement based on the courses you took during your MSW. If you do not meet all of the requirements, you will have to obtain the necessary Clinical Clock Hours to be eligible for your LICSW.

2) Supervised Practice Hours

a) 4000 hours of clinical social work practice is required

b) You must be providing services in your employment allowing you to obtain 1800 hours of "direct clinical client contact" out of the 4000 hours. This is clinical practice time you are spending face to face with clients or time you are spending coordinating care for a client's mental or emotional functioning, differential diagnosis or treatment. It does not include time spent writing clinical documentation.

TIP: If you are sending in documentation of the CE hours for your Clinical Clock Hours, it is important that the description you provide clearly aligns with the clinical knowledge area for which you are seeking hours. A definition for these knowledge areas does not exist. However, your MSW program or the presenter of the CEU training may be able to help you determine, if the description would meet the knowledge area.

Step 3: Locate a licensed social worker who is eligible to provide you with supervision.

Step 4: Locate a supervisor who meets the requirements and submit a Supervision Plan.