Professor Wally Gingerich, MSW, PhD, LISW-S, ACSW

What is licensing? What is required to be licensed? Should you get a license? What is the process? Which exam should you take?

Types of professional credentials◦ Academic degree, e.g., B.S.W., M.S.S.A., M.S.W.◦ Professional certification

Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW) NASW Diplomate in Clinical Social Work (DCSW) Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work (BC

D) Other certifications, e.g., Certified Chemical

Dependency Counselor◦ License to practice social work

Required to practice social work in all 50 states Intended to protect consumers (of mental health

services in particular) Requires adherence to the code of ethics (in the law)

Ohio – LSW, LISW Pennsylvania – PSW, LSW, LCSW New York – LMSW, LCSW Association of Social Work Boards lists

requirements for all 50 states.

Licenses social work practice at BSW level and MSW prior to 2 years experience

◦ BSW Bachelors exam

◦ MSSA (MSW)Bachelors, Clinical, or Advanced Generalist exam

Licenses practice at masters + 2 years exper.◦ MSSA (MSW)◦ Clinical or Advanced Generalist exam◦ 2 years (3000 hrs) of supervised experience

1 hr. of supervision for every 20 hrs. of practice You must have the LSW during this time Supervisor must have LISW-S and be competent to

supervise in your area of practice CSD applicants need to show how psychosocial

interventions were used in their supervised practice

Direct practice students◦ Required for many jobs◦ Civil service employees in Ohio are exempt, but

that is likely to change Community and Social Development

students◦ LSW is a good idea◦ LISW may be worthwhile – it’s a widely recognized

professional credential, even though it’s not needed for CSD practice

Prepare for the exam◦ Purchase ASWB Study Guide - $30◦ MSASS Licensure Review Course - $40

March 27 – Dr. Strom-Gottfried, Ms. Stevens◦ Online ASWB practice exam - $75

Submit application to Ohio CSWMFT Board - $60 ◦ Must be in your final semester at MSASS◦ LSW Application form◦ Request for Exam Pre-Approval◦ Unofficial transcript of MSASS studies

Take an ASWB exam◦ Call ASWB to register for an exam◦ Make appointment to take exam at an ACT test center◦ Bachelor’s exam – $230◦ Clinical or Advanced Generalist – $260

Obtain a Criminal Records Check - $46+◦ Get fingerprinted at a Webcheck location

Take online Ohio CSWMFT exam – $10

Wait until you receive your license – only then may you use the initials after your name.

In Ohio the choice is yours – Bachelors or Clinical (or Advanced Generalist)

Covers foundation social work practice Questions are mainly recognition and recall Does not assume any practice experience ASWB recommends this exam for the LSW

license MSASS students have very high rate of

passing Bachelor’s exam

Cumulative social losses experienced by a person in the aging process MOST OFTEN lead to which condition?A. Alzheimer’s diseaseB. SenescenceC. DepressionD. Age-related cognitive decline

Covers advanced practice content Questions require analysis and application

of knowledge Are designed for people who have their

Masters plus 2 years experience ASWB does not recommend that LSW

applicants taking these exams MSASS students have lower rate of passing

these exams Passing this exam now means you don’t

need to take it again for your LISW

A client who has received services for several years in a dialysis unit appears for a routine visit. The nurse notices that the client’s affect is markedly different from the last visit. After ruling out compliance concerns, the nurse refers the client to the unit social worker. When seeing the social worker, the client seems detached, self-absorbed, and tearful. The social worker should FIRST:A. Assess changes in the client’s life situationB. Schedule a family conferenceC. Explore the client’s concerns about dyingD. Discuss the client’s feelings about dialysis

Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board◦ www.cswmft.ohio.gov

ASWB (Association of Soc Work Boards)◦ www.aswb.org

Ohio Webcheck◦ www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Services/Business/

WebCheck

Marcia E. Holleman◦ Social Work Licensure Examiner◦ Marcia.holleman@cswb.state.oh.us

Jennifer Kreinbrink◦ Registration contact person◦ Jennifer.kreinbrink@cswb.state.oh.us

CSWMFT Office◦ (614) 466-5465