California social work license requirements are in the alphabetical order.
With the largest population in the U.S., and as the third-largest state by area, California offers many opportunities to aspiring social workers looking to begin their careers.The guide for state-specific licensure requirements can be consulted by individuals considering social work or becoming a licensed clinical social worker in the Golden State.
The requirements for social workers in California are set by the Board of Behavioral Sciences.An outline of how to become a social worker in California can be found below.
There are two ways to become a social worker in California.All candidates should plan out their educational path early in their career.Upon entering the job force, social workers with terminal degrees can pursue more diverse roles.
A bachelor of social work degree is required to become a social worker in California.The Council on Social Work Education accredited a college or university's bachelor of social work program.BSW programs prepare students for entry-level, professional, and generalist social work practice.Professional social workers work with individuals, families, groups, and communities.
BSW programs include classroom education and field education to prepare students to apply their classroom training to professional work settings.You can begin working as a social worker in California once you receive your BSW.Case managers, child welfare social workers, and residential counselors are some of the jobs Bachelor's-level social Workers find work in.
The master of social work degree is available to students who earned their bachelor's degree.Advanced standing allows you to earn an MSW in one year if you have received a BSW before applying to graduate school.All accredited social work graduate programs combine classroom learning with field education, but each school has different areas of focus.
A master's degree in social work can be earned if you want to work in the field.You can perform all social work jobs in California if you have the highest level of education.Master's-level social workers can find employment as social work supervisors.
Individuals with BSW and MSW degrees can find employment as social workers in California.If you want to pursue a clinical career in social work in California, you need to obtain an MSW and become registered as an LCSW.
A master's degree in social work from a CSWE accredited program is required to become an associate clinical social worker.Candidates who received their master's degrees in other states need to complete an 18-hour course on California law and professional ethics in order to register as an ASW.The ASW application costs $75 as of March 2020 after obtaining these qualifications.
Along with the application itself, you must provide a photograph, a check or money order for the fee amount, fingerprints, verification of education, and proof of the required California law and professional ethics coursework.After you register as an ASW, you have six years to complete additional courses, work experience, and supervision to apply for an LCSW.You can use the weekly tracking log to keep track of your experience as an ASW.
You need to have at least 3,200 hours of supervised work experience over 104 weeks to be an ASW.There must be at least 2,000 hours performed in the areas of clinical psychological diagnosis, assessment, treatment, and counseling.
All candidates must spend a minimum of 52 weeks in individual supervision, 13 of which must be overseen by an LCSW.Group supervision and client-centered advocacy can help with some hours remaining.The supervisor's information must be submitted to the board by each application.
They must also complete courses in child abuse assessment and reporting, human sexuality, alcoholism, and other chemical substance dependency, as well as detection and intervention for elder and dependent adult abuse.
The exam handbook and study guide can be found on the board's website.There is a website where you can register to take the exam.
Once you have taken the required courses, you can apply for licensure to the board.Your supervisor must verify supervised experience.Out-of-state applicants have to submit fingerprints.A 2x2 photograph is required by candidates.
The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) clinical-level exam will be taken after the board has approved your application.You can register on the ASWB website once approved.The exam costs $260 and has 170 multiple-choice questions.Candidates who fail the exam can take it back in 90 days.
After passing the ASWB exam, each person submits a request for initial license form, along with an additional fee of no more than $100, to the board for approval.
In 2016 California became the 50th state to require the ASWB exam for licensure.An out-of-state social worker can easily transfer their license with this online form.The applicants have to take an 18-hour course in California law and ethics.
If you have maintained licensure as a clinical social worker for at least four years, you can become a LCSW in California.If you have held a license as a clinical social worker for less than four years, you need to verify that you've completed at least 3,200 hours of supervised work experience and 104 weeks of supervision.
If the licensing body in your state does not maintain equivalent requirements, the board will accept time actively licensed as a clinical social worker for a maximum of 1,200 hours.Along with the verification of licensure/registration/certification in another state form, you document this.
Social workers in California have to keep renewing their licenses.Before each renewal period, licensees must complete 36 hours of continuing education.During their first two years of licensure, new licensees only complete 18 continuing education hours.You can renew your license online.
According to the BLS, California has more social workers employed than any other state.Child, family, and school social workers make up the highest number of employment in the state.Social workers in California are paid some of the highest salaries in the nation.
Social workers in California seem to have a promising long-term outlook.BLS projects a faster-than-average growth rate in social work in California from 2016-26, with the fastest growth in the sub-field of healthcare.
Upcoming California conferences, as well as continuing education opportunities, can be found on the website of the California chapter of NASW.
The association works to facilitate professional growth and development opportunities for school social workers to empower children and families in the state's school systems.
The highest level of education for California's clinical social workers is promoted by this organization.