Are you interested in becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in New York? TinyEYE is here to help you navigate the process with ease. Below, we've outlined the key steps and requirements to achieve your goal.
Basic Requirements
- Be of good moral character
- Be at least 21 years old
- Hold a master's degree in social work (M.S.W.) with at least 12 semester hours of clinical coursework
- Complete 3 years of post-M.S.W. supervised experience in diagnosis, psychotherapy, and assessment-based treatment planning
- Meet clinical examination requirements
- Complete coursework or training in the identification and reporting of child abuse
Educational Requirements
Your master's degree in social work must include:
- Social work values and ethics
- Diversity, social justice, and at-risk populations
- Human behavior in the social environment
- Social welfare policy and service delivery systems
- Foundation and advanced social work practice
- Social work practice evaluation and research
- A field practicum of at least 900 clock hours
- At least 12 semester hours of clinical coursework
Supervised Experience
To meet the experience requirement, you must complete at least 36 months (three years) of supervised experience in diagnosis, psychotherapy, and assessment-based treatment planning. This experience must be gained under the supervision of a qualified supervisor in an authorized setting.
Examination
Licensure as an LCSW requires successful completion of the "Clinical" examination administered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). To qualify for the exam, you must:
- Submit an Application for Licensure (Form 1) and fee to the New York State Education Department
- Have your school verify your education
- Have your supervisor submit verification of your supervised experience
- Register directly with the ASWB to take the Clinical examination
Reasonable Testing Accommodations
If you have a disability and require reasonable testing accommodations, you must complete ASWB's Disability Accommodation Form and submit it with supporting documentation directly to ASWB.
Supervision and Informed Consent
Your supervisor is legally and professionally responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of each client. It is crucial to ensure that patients are informed that you, as an LMSW, are only authorized to practice clinical social work under supervision.
Endorsement
If you are licensed as a clinical social worker in another jurisdiction and have at least 10 years of practice in the last 15 years, you may qualify for endorsement. This requires submitting various forms and fees to the New York State Education Department.
For more information, please follow this link.
