Patricia Breslin, MSW, LCSW

1
Patricia Breslin, MSW, LCSW Associate Executive
Director Board of Registration of Social Workers
[phone] Patricia.M.Breslin_at_state.ma.us
revised 1/11
2

Who is the Board??

• Consumer Protection agent of the Commonwealth.
• Volunteer members appointed by the Governor some
  public (3), some professional (6) hold monthly
  meetings.
• Protect consumers by establishing and enforcing
  Regulations (i.e. licensure requirements,
  standards of practice, etc).
• Enforce via the complaint and discipline process.

3
Who am I?? DPL Relationship to the Board

• Board staff
• Executive and Associate Ex. Director, Admin
  Assistant
• Board Counsel
• Board Investigator
• Prosecutor
• All staff work is shared with other Boards at the
  DPL
• Staff work in an advisory role, as well as to
  execute all decisions made by the Board
• All day to day business done by the Staff

4
Do I need a license?
YES!!!

• In MA in order to call yourself a social worker
  and/or perform social work you must be
  licensed!
• State, county or municipal social workers are
  exempt from this law.

5
Do I still need a license if Im a Macro major?

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

6
How do I get a license?

• Education
• Supervision
• Moral Character
• Examination

7
What Education is needed?
DEGREE MUST BE EARNED

• MSW from a CSWE accredited school is required for
  both the LCSW and LICSW

8
What Supervision is needed to become licensed?

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

9
Whats Moral Character?

• Perception of others (References)
• Professional History (Other licenses)
• Personal Criminal History (CORI)

10
What Exam is needed?

• LCSW ASWB Masters
• LICSW ASWB Clinical

11
The Exam

• Computer based exam taken at a specified testing
  site
• 170 multiple choice questions
• 4 hour testing window
• Broken down into 10 content areas
• Scaled score of 75 is MAs passing score (dont
  worry about the number score, if you pass you
  PASS!)
• Special accommodations available for candidates
  with disabilities and ESL candidates

12
Studying??

• ASWBs 30 Study Guide or 75 on-line practice
  exam (ASWB 1-800-225-6880, or Online at
  www.aswb.org)
• NASW live test prep course (members 100,
  non-members 155 www.naswma.org)
• No endorsement intended
• Check with your school regarding other resources
  that they may have!

13
Will I pass the test?
YOU WILL PASS

• Most Pass the First Time
• Quality School Quality Students
• Close to 90 pass rate in 2009 for MA candidates!

YES!
YES!
14
BUT.????

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

15
What is the process?

• Call ASWB [phone] or download
  application (www.aswb.org)
• Apply
• Receive approval to test (within approx. 2 weeks)
• Register for the exam, via ASWB (must wait 1 wk
  to schedule test date).
• PASS!!!!
• Pay for license
• Receive license
• NOT LICENSED UNTIL ACTUALLY PAY FOR YOUR
  LICENSE

16
Whats the application require?

• Notarized application
• Fee
• Official sealed transcript
• 3 references
• 1 supervisory, 2 professional
• Supervisory reference should be whomever was your
  placement supervisor.
• Professional references can be anyone who can
  attest to your social work abilities and good
  moral character.

• At least 1 reference must hold LCSW or LICSW

17
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

• 173 Application fee
• 230 for Examination
• (260 for LICSW exam)
• 68 for initial license fee

• GOOD NEWS 68 (LCSW) or 82 (LICSW) ONLY every
  2 years afterwards.

Still one of the lowest in the country!
18
Seeking Licensure in Another State?

• Requirements are state specific
• Most states will recognize exam scores if taken
  in MA
• Not all states license at same levels
• Beware of different acronyms (LCSWLMSWLGSWLSW)
• Ok to live out of state and maintain MA license
• For more info about specific state requirements,
  visit www.aswb.org and check out the Laws and
  Regulations section.

19
I dont wanna wait !!!

• Nothing... shall prevent an individual who has
  filed a license application with the Boardbut
  whose license application has not yet been
  finally approved or denied by the Board, from
  engaging in the practice of social work or
  performing or offering to perform social work
  servicesso long as
• Approved for exam and not failed more than once
• Under LCSW or LICSW supervision
• Appropriate title

20
Now that you are licensedOther Important
Issues

• MAILING ADDRESS
• It is PUBLIC RECORD!!!!
• Any USPS acceptable address where you can receive
  mail is ok
• Keep it Current
• On-line change is the easiest www.mass.gov/dpl/boa
  rds/sw
• By mail

21
Other Important Issues

• THE RULES
• First set of regulations is free and provided
  automatically when you request application from
  ASWB
• Regulations are also on our website
  www.mass.gov/dpl/boards/sw
• KNOW THE RULES!!
• Remember this is what the Board enforces via the
  complaint process!

22
Other Important Issues

• SCOPE OF PRACTICE
• LCSWs may not provide PRIVATE/ INDEPENDENT
  clinical services may provide such services ONLY
  as an employee.
• AND
• LCSWs may provide clinical social work services
  ONLY under LICSW supervision.
• This is enforced via the complaint process too!

23
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.

24
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

25
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.

26
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

27
Other Important Issues CONTINUING ED

• (a) LICSWs thirty (30) continuing education
  hours
• (b) LCSWs twenty (20) continuing education
  hours
• Social Workers employed by the state, county
  or municipal government, shall be exempt from the
  continuing education requirement

28
Other Important Issues CONTINUING ED

• Criteria for Approved Continuing Education
• Must be approved by a recognized entity (NASW,
  ASWB, another states SW Board, CSWE SW School)
• Board Policy allows 25 to come from select few
  other professions (Psychology, Mental Health,
  Nursing, etc). Check the Policy 1st!

29
Other Important Issues RENEWALS

• All Social Work licenses expire on 10/1/even
  year.
• 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
• Failed auditees are sanctioned by the Board!

Timetable
30
Top Five Ways to Avoid Problems if Audited

• 1. Count CEUs BEFORE submitting renewal.
• 2. Ensure CEUs are approved by a recognized
  entity/ meet the Regulatory requirements.
• 3. Maintain CE documentation for at least 2
  licensure cycles.
• 4. If extenuating circumstances exist that
  warrant extension to complete CE and/or waiver
  request it must be requested BEFORE renewing.
• 5. Keep up to date on any new policies regarding
  CE requirements.

31
RENEWAL TIMETABLE

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

32
You are almost there!!! Good luck!Thanks for
listening

• Remember that our website has a wealth of
  information!

• www. mass.gov/dpl/boards/sw

33
ENFORCEMENT

• Overview of the Complaint Process

34
Complaints by the Numbers

• There are approximately 20,000 licensed social
  workers in the Commonwealth
• On average, the Board opens 100 complaints per
  fiscal year (Including CE audits)
• Complaint ? Disciplinary action.only an
  investigation

35
The Complaint Process
36
Investigation

• Always begins with licensee notification,
  includes copy of complaint, and requests
  response.
• Investigation may then include
• Site visit to clinic/ facility
• Interview with staff or other third party
• Clinical or medical records from third party
• Follow-up information from complainant
• Any other info, at the discretion of the
  investigator

37
General Expectations of Response

• A narrative response to the allegations.
• A complete set of treatment records when
  applicable
• Continuing education certificates for the most
  recently completed license cycle.

38
Board Review

• Reviewed at monthly Board meetings.
• Board may hold informal investigative conference
  with licensee and complainant to obtain further
  information and/or request investigator to gather
  more information
• Board determines if evidence of a Regulatory
  violation is shown.

39
Two Potential Outcomes

• No violation

• Evidence of a violation

• Case Dismissed due to
• No violation
• Insufficient Evidence
• Case Dismissed with an Advisory
• Board concerned, but no probable violation and
  general advisory issued

• If evidence of a violation, Board will forward to
  the Office of Prosecutions for formal
  disciplinary action/ sanctions.

40
Sanctions?! What Sanctions

• A range of sanctions can be imposed based upon
  the severity of the violation(s)
• Administrative civil penalty/ Fine
• Formal Reprimand
• Probation
• Stayed Suspension
• Suspension
• Voluntary Surrender
• Revocation

41
Consumer Complaints,Some Common Themes

• The vast majority of consumer complaints involve
  issues related to these topics

• Communication
• Treatment Records
• Boundary Issues
• Confidentiality
• Competency

42
EASY DOS TO AVOID A CONSUMER COMPLAINT!

• Offer referral if needed
• Ensure Fully signed consent forms
• Complete treatment recordsBurden of Proof on
  licensee
• Communicate
• Know the rulesignorance is not an accepted
  justification.
• Exercise caution, clarity and compassion
• Use Supervision

43
Good luck in your practice as a Social Worker in
Massachusetts!www.mass.gov/dpl/boards/sw

• Patricia.m.breslin_at_state.ma.us