Patricia Breslin, MSW, LCSW

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Patricia Breslin, MSW, LCSW Associate Executive
Director Board of Registration of Social Workers
[phone] Patricia.M.Breslin_at_state.ma.us
revised 1/09
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License Government
Ask the right person!
Advocacy Professional Assoc. (NASW)
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Use the web mass.gov/dpl/boards/sw
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Do I need a license?
YES!!!

• Practice is
• professional service
• fee
• applying SOCIAL WORK theory and
  methods.
• And its the LAW!

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Do I still need a license if Im a Macro major?

• YES!!
• LCSW Licensed Certified Social Worker (not
  Clinical)
• Still required by the LAW!

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How do I get a license?

• Education
• Supervision
• Examination
• Moral Character

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Whats Moral Character ?

• Perception of others (References)
• Professional History (Recip Info)
• Personal History (Felonies)

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What Education is needed?

• LICSW Master of Social Work
• LCSW Master of Social Work

DEGREE MUST BE EARNED
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What Supervision is needed to become licensed?

• LICSW 2 years post MSW by a
• LICSW!
• LCSW Field Placement Supervision

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What Exam is needed?

• LICSW ASWB Clinical
• LCSW ASWB Masters
• 4 hours 170 multiple-choice questions

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Will I pass the test?
YOU WILL PASS

• Most Pass the First Time
• Quality School Quality Students
• 30 Study Guide or 75 on-line practice exam
  (ASWB 1-800-225-6880, or Online at www.aswb.org)

YES!
YES!
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Additional ResourcesNO ENDORSEMENT INTENDED

• NASW live test prep course (members 100,
  non-members 155 www.naswma.org)
• www.SWES.net
• [phone]
• www.AATBS.com
• [phone]

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BUT.????

• Re-takes available in 90 days
• for Exam only
• Exam Approval is good for 1 year

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How do I apply?

• ASWB
• Association of Social Work Boards
• [phone]
• www.aswb.org/massachusetts

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What is the process?

• Call ASWB 1(866) 527-2384
• Apply for pre-approval
• Receive approval to test
• Apply to register for the exam, via ASWB
• PASS!!!!
• Pay for license
• Receive license
• NOT LICENSED UNTIL ACTUALLY PAY FOR THE
  LICENSE

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How long will it take?

• Approval 2
• Test Appointment 2-3
• Official Score 1-2
• Pay for license 0

Approximate number of weeks
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HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

• 155 Application fee (166 as of 7/1/09) --Cert.
  Check or money order to ASWB
• 175 for Examination
• 57 for initial license fee (68 as of 7/1/09)

• GOOD NEWS 68 (LCSW) and 82 (LICSW) every
  2 years afterwards (as of 7/1/09. Still one of
  the lowest in the country!!

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Seeking Licensure in Another State?www.ASWB.ORG

• Requirements are often similar
• Most states will recognize exam scores if taken
  in MA
• For more info about specific state requirements,
  visit www.aswb.org and check out the Laws and
  Regulations section.

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I dont wanna wait !!!

• Nothing...shall prevent the practice of social
  work by studentsor interns or persons preparing
  for the practice of social work who have been
  approved to take the examination, so long as they
  are under qualified supervision in a recognized
  educational institution or facility so long as
  they are designated by such titles as "social
  work student", "social work trainee", or "social
  work intern

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Now that you are licensedOther Important
Issues MAILING ADDRESS

• PUBLIC RECORD!!!!
• Current
• On-line change is the easiest www.mass.gov/dpl/boa
  rds/sw
• By mail
• Acceptable to USPS

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Other Important Issues THE RULES

• First set of regulations is free and provided
  automatically when you request application from
  ASWB
• KNOW THE RULES!!
• Regulations are also on our website
  www.mass.gov/dpl/boards/sw

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Other Important Issues SCOPE OF PRACTICE

• LCSWs may not provide PRIVATE/ INDEPENDENT
  clinical services may provide such services ONLY
  as an employee.
• LCSWs may provide clinical social work services
  ONLY under LICSW supervision.

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Other Important Issues SUPERVISION

• FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE
• 1 hour per week (or pro-rated), individual,
  face-to-face, by LICSW.
• Supervision is required to Maintain your LCSW, it
  is not just for moving up to the LICSW.

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SUPERVISION NON -Clinical LCSWNo
Supervision Required to MAINTAIN License

• LCSWs may
• Provide non-clinical social work services, as
  defined in 258 CMR 8.05, including case
  management services of a non-clinical nature,
  autonomously in any practice setting

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What is Clinical Social Work?

• Use of your social work knowledge training to
  assess, diagnose, prevent or treat disorders,
  conditions, or addictions.
• Doing so through the provision of therapy to
  improve, restore or enhance
• Includes Individual, Family, Group, (etc.)
  counseling and performance of related collateral
  contacts and record keeping.

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What is Non-Clinical Social Work?

• Use of your social work knowledge training to
  improve, restore or enhance through the provision
  of services other than Counseling.
• Includes Case management, community
  organization, program planning dev., assessment
  of needs for non-clinical services

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Other Important Issues CONTINUING ED

• (a) LICSWs thirty (30) continuing education
  hours
• (b) LCSWs twenty (20) continuing education
  hours
• (c) LSWs fifteen (15) continuing education
  hours
• (d) LSWAs ten (10) continuing education hours
• Social Workers employed by the state, county
  or municipal government, shall be exempt from the
  continuing education requirement

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Other Important Issues CONTINUING ED

• Criteria for Continuing Education Programs
• ALL CONTINUING ED PROGRAMS MUST BE REVIEWED AND
  APPROVED BY A RECOGNIZED SOCIAL WORK ENTITY

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Other Important Issues RENEWALS

• Approved C.E. is required per renewal cycle (be
  sure to review the Regs for any changes!)
• Renewals require certification
• Random audits are performed after renewal

Timetable
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RENEWAL TIMETABLE

• - 90 days Renewal Sent
• Should be locating all CEU documents now
• - 3 days Check in the mail - ? OK
• 2 days 57 late fee
• One year PAIN, CEUs!
• Two years TORTURE, RE-TEST!

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Use the web mass.gov/dpl/boards/sw