Board Members

The State Board of Licensed Social workers was created in 1979 by the Legislature, and is authorized by ORS 675.510 - 675.600.

The Board of Licensed Social Workers (Board) is statutorily responsible to protect the citizens of Oregon through the regulation of social workers. This is accomplished by setting policy, establishing standards of practice and ethical conduct, establishing standards for certification and licensure, including renewals, and monitoring continuing education requirements. The Board is comprised of seven members, appointed by the Governor, and confirmed by the Senate. Three members must be licensed clinical social workers, one must hold one of the other three licenses, and the other three must be members of the public and not be licensed social workers. The Board licenses and regulates approximately 8,000 social workers. The Boards licensure program covers two clinical licenses (CSWA and LCSW), and two non-clinical license types (LMSW and RBSW). The Board's compliance program covers cases alleging the unlicensed practice of clinical social work and violations of the professional standards for social workers. The Board's responsibilities and functions are administered by a staff of six.

The mission of the Board is to protect the citizens of Oregon through the licensing and regulation of social workers.