Social Work

LMSW License Requirements

General Requirements

The practice of licensed master social work and the use of the title "Licensed Master Social Worker" and the designation of "LMSW" or derivatives thereof in New York State requires licensure as a licensed master social worker, unless otherwise exempt under the law.

To be licensed as a licensed master social worker (LMSW) in New York State you must:

• be of good moral character;
• be at least 21 years of age;
• meet education and examination requirements; and
• complete coursework or training in the identification and reporting of child abuse offered by a New York State approved provider.

You must file an application for licensure and the other forms indicated, along with the appropriate fee, to the Office of the Professions at the address specified on each form. It is your responsibility to follow up with anyone you have asked to send us material.

The specific requirements for licensure are contained in Title 8, Article 154, Section 7704 of New York State Education Law and Part 74 and Section 52.30 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education. Copies of the relevant sections of NYS Education Law and the Commissioner's Regulations are also available from opforms@mail.nysed.gov or 518-474-3817 ext. 320.

You should also read the general licensing information applicable for all professions.

Fees

The fee for licensure and first registration is $294.

The fee for a limited permit is $70.

Fees are subject to change. The fee due is the one in law when your application is received (unless fees are increased retroactively). You will be billed for the difference if fees have been increased.

• Do not send cash.
• Make your personal check or money order payable to the New York State Education Department. Your cancelled check is your receipt.
• Mail your application and fee to:

  New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions
  PO Box 22063
  Albany, NY 12201

Partial Refunds

Individuals who withdraw their licensure application may be entitled to a partial refund.

• For the procedure to withdraw your application, contact the Social Work Unit at opunit5@mail.nysed.gov or by calling 518-474-3817 ext. 592 or by fax at 518-402-2323.
• The State Education Department is not responsible for any fees paid to an outside testing or credentials verification agency.

If you withdraw your application, obtain a refund, and then decide to seek New York State licensure at a later date, you will be considered a new applicant, and you will be required to pay the licensure fee and meet the licensure requirements in place at the time you reapply.

Education Requirement

To meet the professional education requirement for licensure as an LMSW, you must present satisfactory evidence of having received a masters degree in social work, or its equivalent, (e.g., a higher degree from a social work program that is registered by the Department as licensure qualifying, accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) or determined by the Department to be substantially equivalent to a registered program as defined in Sections 74.1 and 52.30 of the Commissioner's Regulations.)

For education to be determined substantially equivalent, the applicant must present satisfactory evidence of having received a masters degree, or its equivalent, in social work through completion of a satisfactory graduate program in social work which includes two years of full-time study (at least 60 semester hours, or the equivalent), of graduate study. No more than half of the total semester hours for the program may be advanced standing credit granted for social work study at the baccalaureate level. The graduate program must include curricular content in the following areas:

• social work values and ethics;
• diversity, social justice, and at-risk populations;
• human behavior in the social environment;
• social welfare policy and service delivery systems;
• foundation and advanced social work practice;
• social work practice evaluation and research; and
• a field practicum of at least 900 clock hours in social work integrated with the prescribed curricular content.

In addition to the professional education requirement, every applicant for LMSW licensure or a limited permit must complete coursework or training in the identification and reporting of child abuse in accordance with Section 6507(3)(a) of the Education Law. You must submit a certificate of completion from an approved provider or file a certification of exemption before a New York State license or permit can be issued. See additional information regarding this training and a list of approved providers. You may request a paper version of the list of approved providers by calling 518-474-3817 ext. 570. You may be eligible for exemption from the training if you can document, to the satisfaction of the Department, that your practice does not involve professional contact with persons under the age of 18 and that you do not have contact with persons 18 or older with a handicapping condition who reside in a residential care school or facility. You may request an exemption by submitting Form 1CE.

Examination Requirement

Please note: New York State candidates for the Social Work licensure examination must have completed their Social Work program and received the M.S.W. degree as a condition for admission to the examination. Applicants for licensure will not be approved to take the examination prior to receipt of the M.S.W. degree.

The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) which administers the licensing examinations for licensed master social worker (LMSW) and licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) has announced an increase in examination fees, effective January 1, 2010. A candidate who registers for the ASWB Masters examination after January 1, 2010 will pay the fee of $230; a candidate who registers for the ASWB Clinical examination after January 1, 2010 will pay the fee of $260. There is more information about the examination fees on the ASWB web site: www.aswb.org. An applicant for licensure may not register for an examination until approved by the Office of the Professions.

Licensure as an LMSW requires successful completion of the "Masters" (formerly Intermediate) examination administered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) or an examination determined by the Department to be comparable in content.

To qualify to take the ASWB examination:

1. Submit an Application for Licensure (Form 1) and fee ($294) to the New York State Education Department.
2. Request your school to verify your education directly to the New York State Education Department on Form 2.
3. The New York State Education Department must approve your education and all application materials. [We will notify ASWB when you have satisfied the examination eligibility requirements.]
4. You must register directly with the ASWB to take the Masters examination. Information and the Candidate Handbook for the examination are available on the Web at www.aswb.org or through ASWB (see contact information).

Reasonable Testing Accommodations

If you have a disability and may require reasonable testing accommodations for the examination, you must complete ASWB's Disability Accommodation Form and submit it with supporting documentation directly to ASWB (see contact information). If your application for a reasonable accommodation is denied, or you have any complaints about your accommodations, please contact the New York State Board for Social Work (see contact information).

Applicants Licensed in Another State

Endorsement, often referred to as reciprocity, is not available in New York State. However, you may be eligible for licensure in New York State if you:

• meet all the general requirements for licensure; and
• have passed the Masters (formerly Intermediate) ASWB licensing examination or an examination that the Department determines adequately tests social work proficiency at the master's degree level and adequately measures the candidate's knowledge concerning practice as an LMSW

Full documentation of compliance with all New York State licensure requirements, including professional education, must be submitted directly to the Department by the appropriate entity, not by the applicant.

Limited Permit

A limited permit allows an individual who has met all requirements for licensure as an LMSW except the licensing examination to practice as an LMSW provided that the individual is under the general supervision of an LMSW or a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). To be eligible for a limited permit, you must:

• submit an application and fee for initial licensure ($294);
• have your school verify completion of the M.S.W. degree (Form 2);
• submit proof of completion of coursework or training in the identification and reporting of child abuse offered by a New York State approved provider; and
• be at least 21 years of age and be of good moral character.

You may apply for a limited permit (Form 5) at the same time as or any time after you submit your application for licensure (Form 1). The fee for a limited permit is $70.

The limited permit is issued for a specific work setting and the permit holder must be under the supervision of an LMSW or LCSW. If you are a new applicant for licensure in New York State, a private practice that you own or operate would not be an acceptable setting for a limited permit holder.

Limited permits are valid for a period of one year and are not renewable.

A limited permit cannot be issued until the Department has determined that you have satisfied all requirements for licensure except the licensing examination.

Limited permits are not issued to applicants for employment in public schools. Such applicants should apply for a provisional school social worker credential through the Office of Teaching Initiatives. See more information on teaching certificates at www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/index.html.