NAVIGATING THE LCSW LICENSING PROCESS April 2018

PATH TO LICENSURE Possess a Master’s Degree from an accredited school of social work. Register with the BBS as an ASW; begin earning post degree hours Apply to take the California Law and Ethics Examination Apply for the Clinical Examination after you have earned 3200 supervised hours and you have passed the California Law and Ethics examination. Pass the Clinical Examination – ASWB National Examination Apply for Initial Licensure and Receive your LCSW.

EDUCATION Qualifying Master’s Degree - Defined as a degree from a school that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education.

ASW REGISTRATION Complete the ASW registration packet A complete ASW packet has all of the following: One page application form that is signed and includes basic information such as your name, address. A 2X2 passport photo must be attached to the application form. A copy of the Live Scan (fingerprints) form (can be done before the completed packet is sent to BBS). School transcripts in a sealed envelope with qualifying degree date posted. Application Fee

APPLICATION RECOMMENDATIONS Review your application prior to submitting it to BBS. Is your check and application signed? Photo, transcripts, live scan form included? Make a photocopy of all documents (except your transcripts) you send to the BBS. Consider submitting your application via a priority mail service that provides you confirmation your application was delivered to BBS. A self-addressed and stamped postcard may be included in your application in lieu of using priority mail service.

ADDITIONAL COURSEWORK You may be required to take the following coursework if it was not included in your degree program. Child Abuse and Reporting – 7 hours Human Sexuality – 10 hours Alcoholism and Other Chemical Substance Dependency – 15 hours Spousal or Partner Abuse Assessment, Detection, and Intervention – 15 hours Aging, Long Term Care and Elder/Dependent Adult Abuse -10 hours The coursework must be completed prior to applying for the Clinical Examination.

GAINING SUPERVISED HOURS At least two years of supervised post-master’s degree experience is required. 3200 supervised work experience hours 1700 hours must be supervised by a LCSW A minimum of 2000 hours in clinical psychosocial diagnosis, assessment, and treatment, including psychotherapy or counseling. A maximum of 1200 hours in client centered advocacy, consultation, evaluation, research, direct supervisor contact, and workshops, seminars, training sessions, or conferences directly related to clinical social work – approved by supervisor.

WEEKLY SUPERVISION 104 Weeks of Supervision 52 weeks must be individual supervision (13 weeks under a LCSW) – 1 hour in duration. 1 hour of direct supervisor contact is needed to count ANY work experience in a given week. This contact may be either individual supervision or two hours of group supervision. Group Supervision may not include more than 8 individuals. For every 10 client contact hours, 1 hour of individual supervision or two hours of group supervision is required. 40 hours of work experience per week is the maximum you may claim.

Licensed Psychologist or Psychiatrist Qualified supervisor LCSW, LMFT, LPCC Licensed Psychologist or Psychiatrist Licensed for 2 years in California or another state Holds a valid and unrestricted California License Completed a 15 hour supervision course. Licensed for 2 years in California or another state Holds a valid and unrestricted California License

PROPOSED LEGISLATIVE CHANGES Assembly Bill 93 (Medina) – BBS Sponsored Assembly Bill 456 (Thurmond) Reduces total number of supervised hours to 3000 (2000 clinical and 1000 non-clinical). Extends the “90-Day Rule” to ASWs. Allows for Triadic Supervision (1:2 ratio). Strengthens supervision and supervisor requirements. Specifies that mental health services must be performed as a volunteer or employee, not as an independent contractor. Eliminates the cap (15) of registrants in a professional corporation. Supervision ratio remains 1:3.

SUPERVISED WORK EXPERIENCE FORMS All forms are available on the BBS website under the LCSW tab. Responsibility Statement for Supervisors of an ASW (Your supervisor signs this form). Supervisory Plan ( One for each supervisor. You and your supervisor will complete this form). Clinical Social Worker Experience Verification (You will total up all your hours from a setting or under a supervisor on this form; supervisor must sign this form). ASW Weekly Log (a resource for you to track your hours and your supervisor to sign each week. You may use this log to fill out the Experience Verification form).

California Law and Ethics Examination All ASWs must take the California Law and Ethics Examination within the first year of receiving their ASW registration. Complete the Request for Initial California Law and Ethics Examination application. Submit the completed application and fee to the BBS. Once the application is processed, contact the testing vendor to schedule your examination. Once the examination is passed – the ASW has completed this licensure requirement.

California Law and Ethics Examination To request testing accommodations, submit the request at the same time you submit your application to take the examination. The California Law and Ethics Examination may be taken every 90 days. Candidates who must re-take the examination are required to submit the Request for Re-examination application and fee. Proof of completion of the 12 hour Law and Ethics course is required with the first re-examination application following your renewal.

LCSW CLINICAL EXAMINATION PROCESS Submit the Licensed Clinical Social Worker Application for Licensure and Examination and fee. Register with ASWB to take the clinical examination. Pass the ASWB clinical examination. Submit the application and fee for initial licensure CONGRATULATIONS! YOU ARE A LCSW!

SIX YEAR RULE Registration six year rule. ASW registrations may be renewed five times (6 year total) If you are not finished gaining your work experience hours within this time period, you may apply for a subsequent registration number. However, a subsequent registration number will not be issued if you have not passed the California Law and Ethics Examination. Supervised work experience hours six year rule All hours of experience must be gained within the most recent six years from the time you apply for the LCSW Clinical Examination.

PRIOR CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS Applicants are required to disclose all prior criminal convictions; even if the conviction has been expunged. Review the following information regarding Criminal Convictions on our applicant page. If you are required to disclose a prior conviction Complete the Background Statement Form Provide all of the requested documentation. Certified court records, arresting agency report, and rehabilitation statements. Read the information and follow the instructions in the Background Statement Form.

PRIOR CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS A registration will not be issued to you until you receive a criminal background clearance from the BBS. Each criminal conviction is evaluated on a case by case basis with a focus on consumer protection. Many applicants with criminal convictions are approved for a registration. Some applicants are denied, but may receive a registration that is placed on probation with specific terms and conditions for a specific period of time.

ASW RESPONSIBILITIES Each year renew your registration early. Apply and take the California Law and Ethics Examination within the first year of receiving your registration. You must take this examination at least once a year, until you pass, to be eligible to renew your registration. Verify your supervisor’s license status. Obtain your supervisor’s signature on weekly logs as you earn the hours. Actively engage in the supervision process. Discuss the supervisory plan, goals, and any concerns.

ASW RESPONSIBILITIES Keep copies of all documents submitted to BBS. Be familiar with the statutes and regulations governing your profession. Be familiar with the Code of Ethics related to your profession. Be aware of any due dates or deadlines that affect your ability to test or your application. Stay informed about proposed changes in the law that affect your registration/ license. Get connected to BBS – Subscriber List, Facebook, Twitter

ALL FORMS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE BBS WEBSITE www.bbs.ca.gov Select the LCSW tab