Are you looking to obtain your social work license in Pennsylvania? TinyEYE is here to help you navigate through the process with ease. Whether you’re a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, understanding the requirements is crucial. Here’s a straightforward guide to help you get started.
Application Process
First things first, you need to complete the application. Make sure to finish it within six months to avoid having to update certain sections or supporting documents. Background check documents must be no older than 90 days. If you don’t complete the application within a year, you’ll need to start over and pay the application fee again. Remember, you cannot practice in Pennsylvania until your license is issued.
Application Fee
The application fee is $75.00 and is non-refundable. Make sure you’re ready to commit before submitting your application.
Child Abuse Continuing Education (CE)
All health-related licensees and certificate holders are mandatory reporters under Pennsylvania law. As a condition of licensure, you must complete 3 hours of approved training on child abuse recognition and reporting. The Department of Human Services (DHS) will electronically submit your course completion details to the Bureau. You can find a list of DHS-approved providers on the Department of State website.
Criminal History Check
You need to list all the states you’ve lived or worked in during the last 10 years. Obtain a Criminal History Records Check (CHRC) from the state police or another state agency for each state. These reports must be dated within 180 days of your application submission.
- For Pennsylvania records, visit https://epatch.pa.gov.
- For other states, visit the State Police Criminal Record History - Out of State List.
- If you’ve lived or worked outside Pennsylvania in the last 10 years, you can provide both a state CHRC from your current state and an FBI Identity History Summary Check, available here.
National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) Report
Submit an official notification of information (Self Query) from the NPDB. Upload the “Response to your Self Query” to your online application when prompted.
Education Verification
Forward the Verification of Education form to your school or university to complete. This is only required if you are in your final semester and requesting to take the ASWB Master’s examination. The school must send the completed form directly to the Board.
Educational Transcripts
Request an official transcript conferring a Master’s or Doctoral Degree in social work or social welfare from a CSWE-accredited school. The transcript should be sent directly to the Board at:
State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors
PO Box 2649
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649
Letter of Good Standing (LOGS)
Contact the licensing authorities where you hold or have held a license to request letters of good standing. These letters must include the license issue and expiration date, status, and disciplinary standing. The letters should be sent directly to the Board.
For more information, please follow this link.
