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Apply for a License

Starting Your Application

Begin or continue your application using the Board of Licensed Social Workers Applicant Portal
  • When creating your account, use a personal email address you can always access. 
  • Do not use third-party services. The board is not responsible for delays or security issues caused by shared access.

Important Information

  • Not sure what license to apply for? Use the What License Should I Apply for? page to determine which license you should apply for. 
  • Your application is considered complete and will be reviewed after
    • All required documents/items are received
    • All sections are completed
  • If you already have a CSWA certificate with the Oregon BLSW, do not apply for the LCSW license. Staff will reach out to provide next steps. 

Application Fees

Fees for each application type can be found below. 

Please note:
Application fees are non-refundable and due prior to application approval. 

To maintain your license/certification, you will need to renew by your renewal date (last day of your birth month). 


Application Checklist

Please be aware that these instructions were created as a guide, and may not encompass all required steps to complete your application. To ensure your application is reviewed in a timely manner, make sure to submit all required items and that your application is complete. 

You can also use our fillable application checklist to assist you in completing your application. 

Official Transcripts

An official transcript is required for all applicants. Please have your transcripts sent to us using email or mail, our email address and mailing address can be found below: 

Email Address: oregon.blsw@blsw.oregon.gov

Mailing Address: 

Board of Licensed Social Workers
3218 Pringle Rd SE, Suite 240
Salem, OR 87302-6310

Please note if the name printed on your transcript is different from your current, legal name, you will need to provide additional legal documentation showing your name change. We can accept one of the following documents: 
  • Marriage license
  • Divorce decree
  • Birth certificate
  • Court order signed by a judge
  • Court documents

Licensure History

All applicants who have held or currently hold a professional licenses in another state or jurisdiction must submit a license verification with their application. To do so, please follow the instructions below: 

  1. Use the online verification service provided by the state or jurisdiction you already hold a professional license in to download an official copy of your license verification. 
  2. Then upload the official copy of your license verification to the Licensure History tab of the Applicant Portal
    1. If you have already submitted your application, please email a copy to our general inbox: oregon.blsw@blsw.oregon.gov

Out of State Hours (if applicable)

Previous hours are required for the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) license application and can be added to a Clinical Social Worker Associate (CSWA) application if they have already accumulated hours in another state or jurisdiction but do not meet our requirements yet. 

Click on the button that applies to your situation, and follow the instructions to send us your previous hours. 

Instructions
Sign and upload the Oregon BLSW Experience Affidavit to the Licensure History tab of your application. ​
Required Documents
Experience Affidavit

Instructions
Fill out and sign the Oregon BLSW Previous Hours Form. Then upload it to the Licensure History tab of your Applicant Portal. ​
Required Documents
Previous Hours Form

Instructions
Fill out and sign the Oregon BLSW Previous Hours form with any and all hours that you have completed so far. Then upload the form to the Licensure History tab of your Applicant Portal. ​
Required Documents
Previous Hours Form


Fingerprinting and Background Check 

All applicants are required to complete a background check. This can be completed using the LiveScan instructions below or by going through your local law enforcement office.  
 
To schedule a fingerprinting appointment for Live Scan, please use the following instructions:  
  1. Go to the Fieldprint website
  2. Click on the "Schedule an Appointment."
  3. Create an account. 
  4. Enter the Fieldprint Code: FPORSocialWorkersDAS
  5. Schedule your appointment
Please be aware that background check and fingerprinting results may take 2-6 weeks to be received by the Oregon BLSW.

Oregon Rules and Laws Exam

Every applicant is required to take and pass the Oregon rules and laws exam. This exam is currently a downloadable PDF. You can follow the steps below to complete and upload your exam to your application: 

  1. Download the Oregon BLSW Rules and Laws Exam
  2. Fill out the top of the answer page. 
  3. Choose your responses based on the Oregon BLSW laws and statutes. These can be accessed on the Laws and Rules page
  4. Make sure to sign and date your exam. 
  5. Then upload a copy of your completed exam answer sheet to the Oregon Laws and Rules Exam tab of your Applicant Portal

Supervision Plan

If you are applying for the CSWA, then you are required to have a plan of supervision entered into your application prior to being able to submit and pay for it. 

A CSWA supervision plan needs to include the following: 
  1. Your supervisor(s) name
  2. Your worksite
To help you find a supervisor, you can use the Oregon BLSW Supervisor Search


National Exam Requirements 

Applicants who are applying for an LCSW, LMSW, or RBSW application must have their ASWB social work exam scores transferred to the Oregon BLSW for their application to be considered complete. Only the CSWA application does not require an ASWB social work exam score to be considered complete. 

  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): Clinical Exam
  • Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW): Masters Exam
  • Registered Baccalaureate Social Worker (RBSW): Bachelors Exam
  • Clinical Social Worker Associate (CSWA): No ASWB exam required

To send your ASWB social work exam scores to the Oregon BLSW, please use the ASWB Score Transfer page

If you have not yet taken an ASWB exam, you can still apply for your chosen license. When your application is reviewed and approved, you will receive exam authorization from our staff. All initial authorizations to test are valid for one year. 


Additional Questions? 

Our staff are available Monday-Friday, 8 am - 4 pm to help answer any questions or provide assistance with your application. 

You can request assistance by phone, email or using the Help Request form


Phone: 503-378-5735

Email: oregon.blsw@blsw.oregon.gov