Social worker certification new york

In New York State, social workers can obtain certification through the New York State Education Department (NYSED) Office of the Professions. Here are the steps to become a certified social worker in New York:

Certification Levels:

  1. Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW): This is the entry-level certification for social workers who have a master's degree in social work (MSW) from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
  2. Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): This certification is for social workers who have an MSW degree and have completed a clinical internship or have at least 2 years of post-MSW experience in a clinical setting.

Eligibility Requirements:

To be eligible for certification, you must:

  1. Have a master's degree in social work (MSW) from a program accredited by the CSWE.
  2. Have completed a minimum of 2 years of post-MSW experience in a social work setting (for LMSW) or have completed a clinical internship (for LCSW).
  3. Pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam for your chosen certification level.

Application Process:

  1. Submit an application to the NYSED Office of the Professions.
  2. Pay the application fee (currently $125 for LMSW and $150 for LCSW).
  3. Provide official transcripts from your MSW program.
  4. Provide proof of experience (for LMSW) or clinical internship (for LCSW).
  5. Pass the ASWB exam.

ASWB Exam:

The ASWB exam is a multiple-choice test that assesses your knowledge and skills in social work practice. The exam is divided into two parts:

  1. Master's Level Exam: This exam is for LMSW certification and consists of 170 questions.
  2. Clinical Level Exam: This exam is for LCSW certification and consists of 170 questions.

Certification Renewal:

Certifications in New York State are valid for 3 years. To renew your certification, you must:

  1. Complete 36 hours of continuing education (CE) courses.
  2. Pay the renewal fee (currently $125 for LMSW and $150 for LCSW).

Additional Resources:

I hope this information helps!