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Social Work Licenses

What license type do I need?

In Oregon, the practice of clinical social work is protected under Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 675.523. This statute requires anyone interested in becoming a licensed social worker to apply for a license or certificate. Oregon statutes and rules do not allow licensure through reciprocity. 

Please review the types of licenses below, and then use the Applicant Portal to start an application. Application information and steps can be found on the Oregon BLSW Applications page. 

Non-Clinical Licenses: 

What does non-clinical license allow me to do in Oregon? 

A non-clinical social work license in Oregon, may allow you to support individuals, families, and communities without providing therapy or diagnosing mental health conditions. 

This type of work may include: 

  • Helping people and communities without providing therapy or making diagnoses
  • Focusing on meeting basic needs and connecting people to services
  • Case management and coordinating services
  • Sharing information, referrals and general support
  • Supporting people through advocacy and community programs

What Non-Clinical licenses can I apply for in Oregon? 

Registered Baccalaureate Social Worker
Minimum Requirements: 
  • Completed a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree
  • Take and pass the ASWB Bachelors Exam
Application Fee: $150.00

Licensed Master Social Worker
Minimum Requirements: 
  • Completed a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree
  • Take and pass the ASWB Masters Exam
Application Fee: $200.00

Clinical Licenses: 

What does a clinical license allow me to do in Oregon?

A clinical social work license in Oregon, may allow you to provide clinical social work services that use advanced training and skills to asses, diagnose, and treat mental, emotion, or behavioral health conditions (including but not limited to those listed in the DSM-5). 

This type of work may include:

  • Diagnose mental health conditions
  • Treat mental and emotional health conditions
  • Assess, diagnose, and plan treatment for clients
  • Provide counseling or psychotherapy to individuals, couples, families and groups
  • Use proven therapy methods to improve mental health

What Clinical licenses can I apply for in Oregon? 

Clinical Social Worker Associate
Minimum Requirements: 
  • Hold or have held equivalent license in another state or jurisdiction
  • Completed a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree
Application Fee: $260.00

Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Minimum Requirements: 
  • Hold or have held an equivalent license in another state or jurisdiction
  • Completed a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree
  • Meet the following post-MSW hours: 
    • Total of 3,500 total work hours
    • 2,000 out of the 2,500 hours being direct client hours
    • Total of 100 supervision hours, with a minimum of 50 individual supervision hours
    • Minimum of 24 months of supervised experience
Application Fee: $460.00

What if I haven't taken or passed the ASWB exam required for the license I apply for? 

Oregon laws and rules require a passing ASWB exam score for the RBSW, LMSW and LCSW licenses. If you have not taken and passed the ASWB exam you need for your chosen license application, then you can choose one of two options: 

  1. Apply for your Oregon license and provide all other application items. 
    1. Once your application is approved, then we can provide you with permission to take the ASWB exam that you need for your license. 
  2. If you are licensed in another state or jurisdiction, you can request them to help you get approval to take the ASWB exam that you need for an Oregon license. 
    1. Once you take and pass the exam in another state or jurisdiction, you can have ASWB transfer your passing scores to us.