Jamie Langlois, LMSW(Special thanks to Dr. Shelley Schuurman,

LMSW for her contributions to this presentation)

Social Work Licensing

Information SessionMarch 14, 20131

GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITYSCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK

Public Health Code P.A. 61 of 2004

(and associated Administrative Rules)

OWent into effect July 1, 2005

OCaused significant changes to the regulations of the social work profession

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A National Model for Social Work Licensing

O No Exceptions: Everyone must be licensed to practice social work

O Two designations for MSW – macro & clinical

O All Direct Practice is Clinical

Title Provided by the Law

O Licensed Master’s Social WorkerO Limited Licensed Master’s Social Worker

O Licensed Bachelor’s Social WorkerO Limited Licensed Bachelor’s Social

Worker

O Social Service Technician O Limited Social Service Technician

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Limited License Master’s Social Worker

Qualifications:

O MSW from a CSWE accredited School of Social Work

O Must be supervised by a Licensed Master’s Social Worker from their area of practiceO http://www7.dleg.state.mi.us/free/

O A limited license shall be issued for 1 year and may be renewed for not more than 6 years

Licensed Master’s Social Worker

Qualifications:

O 4,000 hours of supervised experience in either clinical or macro practice over a two year period

O 100 hours of supervision from a Licensed Master’s Social Worker in their area of practice which may be a combination of individual and group (4 hours a month)O 4 hours per month with at least 1 hour being

conducted between the applicant and the supervisor on an individual basis

O Verification and recommendation from LMSW supervisor

O Clinical must pass the Clinical Social Work Exam (ASWB)O Macro must pass the Advanced Generalist Exam (ASWB)

Licensed Master’s Social Worker

Qualifications for Macro & Clinical:O One qualifies in one area of practice

or the other including passing the test

O Has additional 2,000 hours of experience under LMSW supervision

O 50 hours of supervision by a Licensed Master’s Social Worker in that area of practice

O Additional testing is NOT required 7

Scope of Practice for Macro Social Work

O Advanced application of macro SW processes & systems to improve the social or health services of communities, groups, or organizations through planned interventions.

O Includes, but is not limited to, community organizing; program planning and development; administration of community programs; assessment of client needs for community programs; coordination & evaluation of programs; advocacy; analysis & development of social welfare policy; organizational analysis; & provision of training about community needs/problems 8

Scope of Practice forClinical Social Work

O Use of assessment, treatment, & intervention methods that utilize a specialized, & formal interaction between a social worker & an individual, couple, family, or group where a professional relationship is established.

O Includes one or more of the following: advocating for care; protection of the vulnerable; forensic practice; increasing social well-being; education; case management for complex & high risk cases; psychotherapy; community committees; supervision; & administration of clinical programs

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“Psychotherapy”

OThe assessment, diagnosis or treatment of mental, emotional, or behavior disorders, conditions, addictions, or other bio-psychosocial problems and may include the involvement of the intrapsychic, intrapersonal, or psychosocial dynamics of individuals, couples, families, or groups

Limited LicenseBachelor’s Social Work

Qualifications:

O BSW degree from a CSWE accredited School of Social Work

O Supervision must be provided by a Licensed Master’s Social Worker

O A limited license shall be issued for 1 year and may be renewed for not more than 6 years

Licensed Bachelor’s Social Worker

Qualifications:O 4,000 hours of supervised experience over a

two year periodO 100 hours of supervision by a Licensed

Master’s Social Worker which may be a combination of individual and group (4 hours a month)O 4 hours per month with at least 1 hour

being conducted between the applicant and the supervisor on an individual basis

O Verification and recommendation from LMSW supervisor

O Pass the Bachelor’s Examination (ASWB)

License Bachelor’s Social Work Scope of Practice

O Social casework, assessment, planning, and interventions with individuals, couples, families, or groups, to enhance or restore the capacity for social functioning and developing solutions for interpersonal or community problems

O Case management of health and human servicesO Information about and referral of individuals to

resourcesO Planning and collaboration with communities,

organizations, or groups to improve their social or health services

O Establishing a professional helping relationship with an Individual, couple, family, or group to assist them in accessing services, solving problems, and making decisions about personal, health, social, educational, vocational, financial, and other concerns

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Scope of Practice Grid

O The grid clearly delineates which Social Work task or function is typically performed at the different levels of Social Work Licensure

O Note the distinctions made between Clinical and Macro practice at the MSW level

O Scope of Practice Grid

Application ProcessO The application packet and additional

information about licensure can be found at the State of Michigan Department of Community Health’s web site at:

http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-27417_27529_27554---,00.html(or search: michigan.gov LARA and social work)

O The packet contains many forms, however to apply for a LLBSW or a LLMSW you only need to be concerned with the O Application Form (2 pgs) and O the Certification of Social Work Form (2 pgs) and O the Criminal Background Check and Fingerprint

Request Forms15

Overview of the Process

Instructions:1. Application, submitted2. Fingerprinting & Criminal

Background Check3. Certification of Education4. You will be sent a letter that says

you’re eligible to take the ExamIs everything in my file complete? How

can I find out what is missing?

Criminal Background Check

Fingerprint ScanO 1.Complete the FormO 2./ 3. Schedule an Appointment

O With L-1 Identity SolutionsO 1-866-226-2952O NO Other background check works

O 4. You must bring: Completed Form Driver’s License Money Order $62.75

Application FormOBe sure to check Limited BSW or MSW

LicenseOMSW must check Macro or Clinical

ONote Questions 1-8 to which you must check

Yes or No and include an explanation for any

answer checked Yes

OYou must be absolutely honest 18

Certification of Social Work Education Form

O You complete Section One and then give it along with Section Two to your schools Program Director and/or the Registrar

(At GVSU, you give it to Esther Visser)

O Section Two needs to be completed by a school official and they must send in this form along with a copy of your transcript.

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Supervision Verification Form

O Once you begin employment, this is the form your Supervisor will use to verify your completed hours of supervision

O LLBSW AND LLMSW must be supervised by a LMSW

O Volunteer hours can count toward supervision work

Continuing Education Requirements

OYou DO NOT have to earn Continuing Education Credits while you are a LLBSW or LLMSW and working toward full licensure

OYou certainly can attend trainingsO www.gvsu.edu/swce orO http://www.socialworkcec.com/CE/

showcourses.php 21

The EXAM

After you have mailed in the Application Form and the School of Social Work has mailed in the Certification of SW Ed form, (within 4-6 weeks) you will receive your Limited License and a letter informing you that you are eligible to take the Licensure Exam and need to register at ASWB in order to do so.O You can take this exam right away

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When should I take the Exam?

O You can take the exam anytime after you receive your Limited License and have registered

O The current cost of the exam is Bachelors or Masters exam registration:

$230 Advanced Generalist or Clinical exam registration: $260

O A passing score is 75O If you don’t pass the first time you can

retake the exam.04/21/23 23

Where do I take the exam?

O Register for the appropriate ASWB examinationO Associate, O Bachelors, O Masters, O Advanced GeneralistO Or ClinicalO by calling 1-888-579-3926, by fax, mail or online. Pay

exam fee, notify the ASWB representative of any special testing arrangements you may have requested.

O Exams are given year round

O Multiple versions of the test are given throughout the year and at any given site

04/21/23 24

Association of Social Work

BoardsO http://www.aswb.org/ Lots of great informationO http://www.aswb.org/pdfs/handbook.pdf Candidate Handbook

04/21/23 25

How do I prepare for the exam?

O The good news is that you have learned what you need to know in class. (ASWB lists text books that have exam content)

O You still need to know test taking strategies

O Purchase exam prep materials and/or take an exam prep class

O Develop a study plan and/or form a study group

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Exam Prep. CoursesO SW 680-04 “Social Work Clinical Licensing Exam

Preparation” 1-credit course (April 5 & 6)Space is still available for Winter 2013O Registration is still possible on BannerO The Book is a separate Expense

O Attend our exam prep course June 7 & 8 at GVSU –Early bird rate for alumni $275 (register by May 1) download the brochure and registration form. http://www.gvsu.edu/ssw/module-news-view.htm?newsId=9B6D2752-07CA-130B-38E58A902A3DA8BB

O Training includes exam prep materialsO MSU School of Social Work also has exam prep

courses04/21/23 27

Exam Web ResourcesO Association of Social Work Board

www.aswb.orgO Study Guides are $30 (not

recommended)O Good information on test taking

strategies and a practice testO No study material on content areas

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Exam Web ResourcesO Social Work Examination Services www.SWES.net

These materials are no longer recommended. They were the materials used until 2011 but are out of date.

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Web ResourcesO LEAP-Lead ExAm Prep www.licensingprep.com

O GVSU Coupon 20% off coupon for students and alumni. They will need to enter the code at the time of order GVSU20

O Price: Bachelor (ASWB National exam): $99.50    Masters or Clinical (ASWB National Exam): $129.50   

O 2012 LEAP Online Practice Exams: $59 all levels

O 94% Pass rate for study guides

04/21/23 30

Thank you Time for Questions?????

“Never doubt that a small group of

thoughtful committed citizens

can change the world. Indeed

it is the only thingthat ever has.”Margaret Mead