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Licensing FAQ
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Article Content
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| Does Oregon have Reciprocity Agreements with Other States? |
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Currently, Oregon does not have reciprocity agreements with any other states. If you already have a license in another jurisdiction you will need to:
- Complete the Application for the appropriate license/certification/registration, and submit the appropriate fee, including the cost of the background check.
- If you hold any kind of license or certification in any jurisdiction complete a License/Certificate Verification form and have them mail it directly to the Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers office.
- If you have not already done so as part of your state's requirements, pass the appropriate ASWB National exam level of license or certificate (please note, the national exam for the LMSW and RBSW are being waived for applicants applying through December 31, 2012).
- Pass the Oregon Jurisprudence (laws and rules) exam.
- Have your school forward a copy of your official transcript documenting the degree date to the Board's office.
- Submit fingerprints for a background check.
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| What is the Differences Between the Licenses? |
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The LCSW license is for social workers who have a MSW degree and are practicing clinical social work. As of January 1, 2011, it is mandatory that anyone practicing clinical social work be licensed (or working towards licensure) with the state. Hours and licenses may be transferred from other states with Board approval. To apply for a LCSW license, the applicant must have:
- 3500 Total Work Hours
- 2000 Direct Client Hours
- 100 Supervision Hours
- Passing grade of the ASWB Clinical Exam
The CSWA certificate is for applicants who are working towards clinical licensure. This is a two-year program done under supervision. Hours may be transferred from other states, with Board approval.
The LMSW license is for applicants who wish to practice non-clinical social work and hold a MSW.
The RBSW certificate is for applicants with a Bachelor's in social work, wishing to practice in a non-clinical capacity.
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| What Degree is 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) is required for the LCSW, CSWA and LMSW.
For the RBSW, a Bachelor's of Social Work degree from a college or university accredited or in candidacy by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) or Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work (CASSW) is required.
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| Is there an Examination? |
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CSWA candidates are eligible to take the exam upon completion of 75 supervision hours. CSWA's must submit a request in writing to the Board for authorization to sit for the National Exam. The requirements for the national exam for LMSW and RBSW candidates is being waived until December 31, 2012. CSWA, LMSW, and RBSW candidates will need to complete the Oregon Laws and Rules exam.
The Oregon examination for licensure consists of two sections: the national 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 national exam. An official letter is issued by ASWB that allows the candidate to reserve a time at one of the testing centers.
The national exam is administered electronically by Pearson at test sites in Beaverton, Salem, and Medford. Test centers are open weekly. Specific information about the testing is provided at the time of registration with the ASWB. Instructions on the ASWB website will provide all necessary information on how to make a reservation.
Upon successful completion of the exams, notification is sent to the Board office by Pearson. An official license will be issued after a payment of the appropriate initial licening fee.
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| How to Receive an Application Packet |
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Application packets can be downloaded from this website or requested from the Board office:
State Board of Licensed Social Workers
3218 Pringle Road SE, Suite 240
Salem, OR 97302-6310
Phone: (503) 378-5735
Fax: (503) 373-1427
Toll Free Number: (866)-355-7050
E-mail: oregon.blsw@state.or.us |
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| Can I Call Myself a Social Worker Without Being Licensed? |
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The title "Social Worker" is protected under Oregon Rules and Statutes (ORS 675.520). In order to call yourself a "Social Worker" you must be licensed or certified with the Board as an LCSW, CSWA, LMSW or RBSW.
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| Am I Exempt from Being Licensed? |
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According to Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS 675.523) an individual may not practice clinical social work unless the person is licensed or certified by the Board. Oregon Revised Statutes provide the following exceptions:
- A person who does not practice clinical social work
- A person who is licensed or certified by the State of Oregon to provide mental health services provided that the person is acting within the lawful scope of practice for the person's license or certification and does not represent that he or she is a regulated social worker;
- A person who is certified to provide alcohol and drug abuse prevention services, intervention services and treatment in compliance with rules adopted by DHS under ORS 409.410(2)(f) and 409.420(1) provided that the person is acting within the lawful scope of practice for the person's certification and does not represent that he or she is a regulated social worker;
- A person who is employed or contracting with an agency or organization that is certified or licensed with the State of Oregon under ORS 430.610 to 430.695 to provide mental health treatment or addiction services, and does not represent that he or she is a regulated social worker;
- A person who is a recognized member of the clergy, provided that that person is acting in his or her ministerial capacity and does not represent that he or she is a regulated social worker;
- A student in a social work graduate degree program that meets the requirements in OAR 877-005-0101.
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| What do you Mean by "Clinical Social Work"? |
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The legal definition of clinical social work can be found in ORS 675.510(2)(a)-(f). In general, clinical social work is the professional practice of applying principles and methodes with individuals, couples, families, children and groups, which include any of the following (please refer to ORS 675.510(2)(a)-(f) for complete descriptions):
- Providing diagnostic, preventive treatment services of a psychosocial nature;
- Developing a psychotherapeutic tratment services of a psychosocial nature;
- Counseling and the use of psychotherapeutic techniques;
- Modifying internal and external conditions that affect a client's behavior;
- Explaining and interpreting the psychosocial dynamics of human behavior; or
- Supervising, administering or teaching social work practice.
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| When Do I Renew my License or Certificate? |
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LCSWs and CSWAs are required to renew their license or certificate every year during their birth month. For LCSWs, CEUs are reported every two years, based on the last digit of the license or certificate number in the same renewal month. CSWAs are exempt from the CEU requirement.
If your LCSW license ends in an odd number, your CEUs will be due every odd year. If your license or certificate ends in an even number, your CEUs will be due every even year.
LMSWs and RBSWs renew every two years during their birth month. CEUs are due every two years.
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| How Do I Renew my License or Certificate? |
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The Board has moved from paper renewals to online renewals. The renewal notifications are sent via e-mail and regular mail no later than one month prior to your birth month renewal date.
If you do not receive your notification or would like to have a paper renewal, please contact the board office at (503) 378-5735, or by email at oregon.blsw@state.or.us. |
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| Can I Fax in my Application or Other Forms? |
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All Application materials must be mailed directly to the board office with original signatures, including the Plan of Supervision for individuals working toward licensure. Do not fax these forms.
Verification of a license/certification/registration in another jurisdiction must be sent directly from the state agency that holds the license/certification/registration.
Other forms such as 6 month reports, plan changes, and the Oregon Jurisprudence exam answer sheet, can be faxed to the Board at (503) 373-1427 or emailed to Oregon.blsw@state.or.us. |
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| What are the Requirements to Become a Supervisor of CSWAs? |
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The minimum qualifcations for a clinical supervisor are:
- You have held a LCSW license for two years in Oregon or another state
- You are current with your supervision CEUs for the plan period. The CEU requirements are at least 6 credit hours of supervision or related ethical courses in the past five years.
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| What are my CEU Requirements? |
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Each program has its own CEU requirements. Up to 10 CEUs can be 'rolled over' from each reporting period. Example: If you owe 40 CEU credits and submit 50 approved credits, up to 10 can be carried or rolled over to the next reporting period. Ethic CEUs cannot be 'rolled over'.
| LCSW |
40 credit hours every 2 years
(must include 6 hours in ethics coursework) |
LCSW -
Semi-Retired
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20 credit hours every 2 years
(must include 6 hours in ethics coursework) |
| LSCW - Inactive |
No CEUs required |
| CSWA |
No CEUs required |
| LMSW |
30 credit hours every 2 years
(must includes 6 hours in ethics coursework) |
| RBSW |
20 credit hours every 2 years
(must include 6 hours in ethics coursework) |
| Supervisors |
Must complete 6 credit hours every 5 years in supervision coursework. |
The continuing education requirement begins the first day after your first renewal. CEUs may be accrued in the first year before your renewal and counted in your reporting period.
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| Can I Take CEU Courses online? |
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Approved CEU courses can be taken in a physical class setting, online, or through correspondence courses. There is no limit of how many CEUs can be taken online or through correspondence courses. For more information about CEU requirements and course eligibility visit Continuing Education.
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| How do I Change my Name or Address with the Board? |
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To change your name, please fax, email or mail your request, along with a copy of the appropriate documentation (certificate, decree, driver's license, or other legal document) directly to the Board.
Address changes are to be sent to the Board within 30 days of the change. Complete and fax, email, or mail the Change of Address to the Board office within 30 days of the change.
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