Social Work
September 1, 2004 Changes
CSW becomes LMSW and LCSW
Beginning on September 1, 2004, the profession of Certified Social Worker (CSW) in New York will be replaced with the professions of Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
Anyone practicing as an LMSW or LCSW after September 1, 2004 must be licensed, exempt under the law, or have a valid limited permit.
Who will qualify for licensure as an LMSW or an LCSW?
LMSW: The licensure requirements for the LMSW are identical to those for the CSW; that is, to qualify for licensure as an LMSW, you must have:
- the masters of social work degree,
- good moral character, and
- passed the ASWB Masters (or Advanced) examination
LCSW: To qualify for licensure as an LCSW, you must have:
- the masters of social work degree with at least 12 semester hours of coursework that prepares you to practice as a clinical social worker,
- three years of post-degree experience in psychotherapy under the supervision of an LCSW, licensed psychologist or psychiatrist, and
- passed the ASWB Clinical examination
What will I have to do to be licensed as an LMSW or an LCSW?
| If you are: | You: |
|---|---|
| A CSW in New York | Will automatically receive a new license parchment and registration as a Licensed Master Social Worker; no fee required. |
| A CSW with P and/or R | Will automatically receive a new license parchment and registration as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker; no fee required |
| A New York CSW eligible for P/R | May apply for P/R (fee of $85) before 9/1/04 and automatically become an LCSW when the P/R is granted; or the law allows a CSW who meets the requirements for the P/R but has not received the privilege and has completed at least 3 years of supervised experience in psychotherapy as required in regulations, to apply for the LCSW after 9/1/04 (fee of $270) without having to meet requirements for clinical education or pass the clinical examination.* |
| An MSW with 5 years of social work experience | May apply for the LMSW (fee of $270). After verifying your education and moral character, if you have five years of social work employment acceptable to State Board, you can be licensed without examination as an LMSW.* |
| A pending CSW applicant prior to 9/1/04 | Will be converted to an application for the LMSW; you will be required to pass the examination, unless you can document 5 years of social work employment.* |
| An LMSW applying for the LCSW | After 9/1/04, you must meet specific requirements for clinical education, have completed supervised experience in psychotherapy, and pass the ASWB clinical examination (fee of $270). |
| An exempt individual employed by the government or a private agency performing social work functions | Are exempt from licensure so long as you hold a job in government or in a private agency and your functions are not expanded. |
| Practicing in an exempt setting | Are exempt from licensure until January 1, 2010 if you are practicing in a program that is funded, regulated or operated by the Offices of Mental Health, Mental Retardation & Developmental Disabilities, Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Services, Children & Family Services, and local social service districts. |
| * An application must be filed within the one-year period starting September 1, 2004. Applications for the new professions will be available in July 2004. | |
Need more information?
See the Questions & Answers page for more detail, or contact the New York State Education Department's Office of the Professions by phone at (518) 474-3817 or by e-mail at swbd@mail.nysed.gov.
