For New Licensees/Applicants: Overview of Basic Licensing Concepts    New Social Work Regulations

A Master's of Social Work (MSW) degree from a college or university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) or the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work (CASSW).

The CSWA Application includes:
 
 

Application
Each applicant seeking to become licensed must meet and/or complete the requirements for the Certificate of Clinical Social Work Associates (CSWA) (ORS 675.530(4); (OAR 877-020-0009). The applicant for Associate must complete and submit the application and where necessary, Section J, to document hours completed in another jurisdiction. Also, if you are licensed in another jurisdiction, you must have that licensing agency complete Section K and mail directly to the Oregon Board office.

The Oregon Jurisprudence Exam, together with Oregon's Rules and Statutes, is available on this page for download, or can be mailed upon request. This exam is an open book self-test. Once completed, the exam is mailed, faxed, or emailed back to the Board's office for scoring. As applicable, the Oregon Jurisprudence Exam may be required a second time if there are any changes to Oregon's Rules and Statutes prior to licensure. It is the policy of the Board that all applicants pass the Jurisprudence exam prior to issuance of a license or certificate.

Plan of Supervision
If your Plan involves more than one supervisor, submit a Plan of Supervision form for each supervisor. Make additional copies of the form if necessary. Provide complete information. Be sure all required signatures are in place (this includes the administrative supervisor). Plans should cover the required minimum practice (24 months full-time, or more if part-time), and the required number of supervision hours (minimum of 100 hours). It is best to set up your Plan for the full two years, but it is acceptable to begin your Plan with just individual or group supervision – remembering that only 50 hours can be obtained in group supervision. Upon Board approval of your Plan, you will receive official notification, including the Evaluation Report forms, which will be used by your supervisor to detail your progress.

Supervision Documentation
If your supervision was received in another Jurisdiction or if your Plan requires a supervision exception due to a geographic hardship (no LCSW supervisor within a 50-mile radius), you will need to complete this form. Read the instructions on this form to see if it applies to your situation.

Verification of License in Another jurisdiction
If you are licensed in another state/province/territory, and those requirements are equivalent to or exceed the requirements of the State of Oregon, you may request that the Board consider your license as evidence of qualification as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Oregon (OAR 877-020-0016).
 
This form must be completed by your licensing agency and mailed directly to the Oregon Board office in addition to Form 1.  You must ask your licensing agency to supply information on the supervision and practice requirements that you met for that license. This can be in the form of a copy of the law or rules, and/or a copy of your application. If the licensing agency cannot verify the practice and supervision information, you must complete Section J (documentation of previous supervised hours) for each supervisor. Also, whenever possible, please include a current resume with your application.

Criminal Background Check Form and Instructions
 
The Board requires all applicants to participate in a nationwide fingerprint-based criminal records check. 
 

Transcripts
An official transcript is required as part of the application process and is to be mailed directly from your graduate school to the Board office at 3218 Pringle Road SE, Suite 240, Salem, OR 97302. Please note on Form 1 if your transcript name is different from your current name.

 
The following are the CSWA licensing fees:
 

Application Fee	$150
Initial CSWA Fee	$60
Criminal Background Check	$50
Total:	$260

 
Prior Board approval is required on any changes to a Plan of Supervision; i.e., employer, supervisor. All Plan changes and/or modifications require prior Board approval and are reviewed under the rules in effect at the time of the change or modification.
 
 
Current rules require all applicants to submit a Plan of Supervision (which begins at the time it is approved by the Board). If you have previous out-of-state supervised face-to-face Clinical work experience that meets the requirements of OAR 877-020-00, the Board may consider this Clinical work experience and supervision hours as part of your Plan. Therefore, in addition to theapplication, you will need to complete Form J. Acceptance of any previous practice and supervision is at the discretion of the Board.
  
All requirements of the Plan must be completed, and all Evaluation Reports received and approved by the Board, for eligibility to take the examination to become licensed.
 
Make a copy of your completed application for your records and retain the ORS and OAR for future reference. Upon Board approval of your application and/or Plan of Supervision, you will receive an official notification letter that will provide information on the next step of the process for licensing or identify your approved Plan dates, your certification number and the months in which the evaluation reports are due. Also included is a copy of your Plan, a set of six-month Evaluation Report forms with specific instructions in a cover letter; a wall-type certificate, and your official Certificate of Clinical Social Work Associate. This official Certificate is to be displayed in a conspicuous place at your work site.

 

Current rules require all applicants to submit a Plan of Supervision (which begins at the time it is approved by the Board). If you have previous out-of-state supervised Clinical Social Work experience that meets the requirements of OAR 877-020-0010, the Board may consider this Clinical work experience and supervision hours as part of your Plan. Therefore, in addition to the application, you will need to complete Section J Acceptance of any previous practice and supervision is at the discretion of the Board.

 
Submit the application materials and all fees to the Board's office at:

Board of Licensed Social Workers
3218 Pringle Road
Suite 240
Salem, OR  97302-6310

CSWA candidates are eligible to take the National Clinical Exam upon completion of 75 supervision hours. 
 
The Oregon examination for licensure consists of two separate exams:

1. National Exam by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
2. Oregon Jurisprudence Exam (current law and rules; a self-test)

 
The National Clinical Exam is administered electronically by Pearson at test sites in Portland, Beaverton, Salem, LaGrande, 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 on the ASWB Website will provide all necessary information on how to make a reservation.
 
Upon successful completion of the National Clinical Exam, notification is sent to the Board office by Pearson. An official license will be issued after payment of the appropriate license fee and completion of remaining hour requirements. 
 
The Oregon Jurisprudence Exam, together with Oregon's Rules and Statutes, is available on this page for download, or can be mailed upon request. This exam is an open book self-test. Once completed, the exam is mailed, faxed, or emailed back to the Board's office for scoring. As applicable, the Oregon Jurisprudence Exam may be required a second time if there are any changes to Oregon's Rules and Statutes prior to licensure. It is the policy of the Board that all applicants pass the Jurisprudence exam prior to issuance of a license or certificate. 

 

• Oregon Jurisprudence Exam
• Oregon Revised Statutes
• Oregon Administrative Rules

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Coming Soon

English as a Second Language
 
ASWB may assist those exam candidates for whom English is a Second Language by providing appropriate accommodations at the testing site. Board approval is required prior to being granted ESL accommodation. Contact the Board office for further information.