Board Members

History of the Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers

The Oregon State Board of Licensed Social Workers was created in 1979 by legislature and is authorized by ORS 675.510 - 675.600 to regulate social work in Oregon. 

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.

Mission Statement

Meet the Oregon BLSW Board Members

Board Chair
Licensed Board Member Amy Ashton-Williams, LCSW

Location: Umatilla County

Term Number: First

Term Dates: 07/01/22022 - 06/30/2026

Vice Board Chair
Licensed Board Member Mollie Janssen, LCSW

Location: Multnomah County

Term Number: Second

Term Dates: 06/30/2023-06/30/2027

Licensed Board Member Olivia Borman, CSWA

Location: Multnomah County

Term Number: First

Term Dates: 05/01/2025 - 06/30/2027

Public Board Member Nicole Pantley

Location: Umatilla County

Term Number: First 

Term Dates: 07/01/2025 - 06/30/2029

Public Board Member Troy Costales

Location: Marion County

Term Number: First 

Term Dates: 11/20/2025 - 06/30/2029

Public Board Member Shyra Merila-Simmons

Location: Clatsop County

Term Number: First

Term Dates: 07/01/2026-06/30/2030

Licensed Board Member Eli Kinsely, LCSW

Location: Marion County

Term Number: First

Term Dates: 06/22/2026 - 06/30/2027

Are you interested in joining the Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers?

The Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers is looking for individuals interested in serving on the Board as professional and public representatives. Currently, there are no openings for board members. Members of the Board of Licensed Social Workers are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.

If you are interested in a Board position and would like to apply, go to the Governor's Executive Appointment Website: https://www-auth.oregon.gov/gov/Pages/board-list.aspx. or contact the Oregon BLSW Executive Director, Ray Miller at ray.miller@blsw.oregon.gov