New York State LCSW Requirements

New York State LCSW Requirements
New York State LCSW Requirements

Once you’ve graduated from Florida State University's online Master of Social Work (MSW) degree program, the next step is to complete the requirements for the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential in the state in which you plan to practice. This article looks at the LCSW licensure requirements for the state of New York to help you to capitalize on the momentum of your academic experience as you move through the licensure process.

 

LMSW Standing

Achieving LCSW status begins with earning the Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) designation. Accomplishing this credential means completing an MSW program that is both accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and includes a minimum of 900 hours of field education experience. Beyond this coursework, the state mandates that all LMSW applicants complete a course on reporting child abuse.

After completion of these elements, candidates can file their LMSW license application, which includes a Certification of Professional Education provided by your university and a $294 license fee. If a preliminary review of this application is approved, you will be granted permission to sit for the Association of Social Workers Board (ASWB) Master’s level exam. The scores from these exams are automatically sent to the Board of Regents, so if you achieve a passing score you should receive your LMSW credential shortly thereafter.

 

Three Years of Supervised Experience

With the LMSW component complete, LCSW hopefuls will then need to garner at least three years of full-time work experience in a clinical setting. This role must be under the supervision of a LCSW-licensed practitioner or other licensed psychologist or psychiatrist, and requires Board approval. You should complete and submit the LMSW Plan for Supervised Experience form and wait for their approval until you begin these hours.

Within these three years of full-time experience, New York state requires that at least 2,000 hours consist of your direct engagement with patients. A minimum of 100 of those hours must be under direct observation by your licensed supervisor.

 

LCSW License Followed By AWSB Exam

Similar to the LMSW licensure process, LCSW candidates who have completed their supervised work experience must them submit an LCSW license application to the state along with their Certification of Professional Education and Certification of Experience paperwork. With the Board’s preliminary approval of your application, you can schedule your ASWB Clinical exam. The exam comprises 170 multiple choice questions that cover a comprehensive range of concepts and skills necessary for success in the field of social work. The cost to register for the 2019 Clinical exam is $260. Retaking the exam is possible if you happen to fail, but in this case you will need to wait at least 90 days to re-register for the test.

Once your passing score on the ASWB Clinical exam is transmitted to the state of New York’s Board, all that is outstanding is to wait for your LCSW license to arrive in the mail.  Progress  toward the LCSW designation can be demanding, but Florida State University’s online MSW degree program can offer one of the strongest foundations possible to help you succeed. Key concepts and essential case studies prepare students to embrace the challenges of clinical roles under the careful guidance of expert faculty who all hope to see their graduates succeed. This primes graduates from the program to excel not only during their years of supervised work experience buy beyond as well as they enter the field as fully-licensed LCSW professionals.

 

FSU Student Jennifer Bell

 

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