| Licensing FAQ |
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| General Information on Becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
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Details on applying for a license
Packets are downloadable from this website. Packets include instructions and all the necessary forms, plus the Administrative Rules and Oregon Revised Statutes.
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| Degree Required |
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A Master's of Social Work (MSW) degree from a college or university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) or Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work (CASSW).
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| Certificate of Clinical Social Work Associate |
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The Certificate of Clinical Social Work Associate (CSWA) is issued after a Plan of Supervision has been presented to and approved by the State Board of Licensed Social Workers. The Board meets monthly, usually on the second Tuesday of the month. The Plan begins "counting" when it is approved by the Board. Supervision hours received before Board approval will not be considered. The Plan must cover a minimum of two years full-time (longer if part-time work) Clinical practice in an agency with supervision by an experienced Oregon LCSW.
Supervision must occur a minimum of twice monthly. However, weekly supervision is preferred. Supervision hours must total a minimum of 100 hours over the two-year (full-time) period. If the Plan is longer, more supervision hours will be accumulated. Supervision must run concurrent with the Plan length.
Any changes to the initial Plan must have prior Board approval. Special forms are used for Plan changes. Specifics and limits of the Plan requirements are detailed in Chapter 877 of the Administrative Rules. The Board monitors the progress of the Plan through six-month evaluation reports from the supervisor. These forms are provided after the Plan is approved.
Upon approval of a Plan, the Board issues a Certificate of Clinical Social Work Associate. A wall certificate is done also issued.
The application fee for the Certificate of Clinical Social Work Associate is $150 ; the fee for the initial certificate is $60 and is pro rated to the Clinical Social Work Associate's birth month. When submitting a Plan for Board approval, include the fee of $150. Certificates expires the birth month of the Clinical Social Work Associate and must be renewed each year throughout the duration of the Plan until the completion of the license process.
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| Ceritified Social Work Associate |
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When making an application to become licensed (generally those licensed in another state or seeking reinstatement), submit $150 (application fee).
Associates going to licensure will be informed of any needed fees when thay have passed the exams.
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| Examination |
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Applicants are eligible to take the exam upon Board approval of a completed Plan, having met all licensing requirements. The Oregon examination for licensure consists of two sections: the Clinical exam by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) and the Oregon Section (current law and rules; a self-test). The applicant is required to register directly with ASWB and make payment for the exam. An official letter is issued by ASWB that allows the candidate to reserve a time at one of the testing centers.
The exam is administered electronically by ACT at test sites in Portland, Salem, Eugene and Medford. Test centers are open weekly. Specific information about the testing is provided at the time of registration with the ASWB. A passing score of 70 is required. Instructions in the ASWB Candidate Handbook provide all necessary information on how to make a reservation.
Upon successful completion of the exam, notification is sent to the Board office by ACT. An official license will be issued after a payment of the initial licening fee which is $130 which is based on the candidates birth month.
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| How to Receive an Application Packet |
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Application packets are available from the Board office:
State Board of Licensed Social Workers
3218 Pringle Road SE, Suite 240
Salem, OR 97302-6310
Phone: (503) 378-5735, ext. 33
Fax: (503) 373-1427
Toll Free Number: (866)-355-7050, ext. 33
E-mail: pam.johansen@state.or.us
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