From MSW to LBSW: How to Become a Licensed Social Worker
Are you passionate about helping others? Ready to embark on a career path where you can make a real difference? If so, and if you're interested in social issues and social justice, a career as a licensed social worker may be right for you.
Of course, becoming a social worker requires extensive education and training—often in the form of a master's degree in social work (MSW) program followed by licensure in your state. Read on to gain a better idea of what to expect from this line of work and the licensure process.
The Field of Social Work
Social work is a complex and far-reaching field where highly trained professionals strive to help people, including some of the most underserved and vulnerable populations.
Defining Social Work and Its Importance
In broadest terms, social work is a discipline aimed at addressing critical social issues while promoting social justice for all communities and individuals. At the end of the day, social workers promote social welfare and assist and advocate for people from all walks of life with everything they do.
The Various Paths in Social Work
There are numerous potential paths within the larger field of social work. School social workers, for example, may work directly with students and their families. Meanwhile, healthcare and medical social workers may assist those in a hospital setting while helping clients and their families cope with disease or illness. Some social workers may even work in corrections or law enforcement as probation officers, corrections workers or juvenile court liaisons.
Exploring the Roles and Responsibilities of a Licensed Social Worker (LBSW)
Licensed social worker requirements can vary depending on your specific job title. However, there are some basic tasks most social workers fulfill on a regular basis as well as critical skills all social workers need to serve their clients.
Daily Tasks and Impact on the Community
On any given day, a social worker may carry out tasks such as:
- Meeting with clients to assess their unique needs and challenges
- Determining which resources or tools can be used to help clients
- Referring clients to community resources, including childcare and financial assistance
- Monitoring client progress and following up as needed
- Responding to emergency or crisis situations
Key Skills for Success in Social Work
Social workers must possess a variety of skills, including both soft skills and technical proficiencies, to perform their jobs well. Some of the most essential soft skills a social worker can have include:
- Active listening
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Cultural awareness and sensitivity
- Time management and organization
- Communication
- Advocacy
Additionally, social workers should be knowledgeable and skilled in areas such as crisis intervention and case management, along with clinical assessment and diagnosis.
Do You Need an MSW to Become an LBSW?
Licensure laws for social workers are determined by each state—and in most states, a master's degree is required in order to obtain an LBSW. There are a handful of states that offer this license to bachelor's degree holders, including Alaska, Hawaii and Arizona. In general, though, it is best to have an MSW before pursuing an LBSW.
Educational Pathways: From Bachelor's to Master's
Interested in a career in social work? You might wonder what your educational path would look like.
Bachelor's Degree in Social Work (BSW): The Starting Point
For most people going into social work, the logical starting point is to pursue a bachelor's degree in social work (BSW). This program can provide the foundational knowledge needed to get started in the field, with most BSW programs taking around four years to complete. Upon completing this level of education, you might qualify for a job as a caseworker or similar role, which can help you gain valuable industry experience.
Pursuing a Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW)
After completing a BSW, getting licensed as a social worker typically means continuing your education and pursuing a master's degree in social work. This type of program usually takes two years to complete and often involves a clinical placement where you can gain more hands-on experience before seeking MSW jobs.
The Beginner's Guide to Becoming a Licensed Social Worker
With this said, earning your degree(s) alone doesn't automatically make you an LBSW. Below are specific steps to follow regarding how to become a licensed social worker. Understand that these steps apply in most states, but you'll want to proactively conduct a bit of your own research to determine the exact licensed social worker requirements in the state in which you choose to practice.
Step 1: Earn Your Bachelor's Degree in Social Work
A bachelor's degree in social work can help you gain an introduction to the field and explore jobs that allow you to acquire practical experience, such as roles in case management and client welfare.
Step 2: Gain Field Experience Through Internships or Volunteer Work
You can also gain experience through internships or volunteer opportunities, which allows you to see the inner workings and nuances of the field for yourself. In some cases, your school may even help you find internships or other opportunities for hands-on experience as part of your program.
Step 3: Complete Your MSW Program
An MSW is typically a two-year program that allows you to dive deeper into the social work topics that intrigue you most, so you can really sharpen your knowledge and begin forging your career path. An MSW program may also include a clinical placement, where you can gain contact hours that strengthen your field knowledge.
Step 4: Prepare for and Pass the Licensing Exam
Once you finish your MSW and gain some supervised clinical social work experience, you will need to pass an official licensing exam; the specifics of this exam and license requirements can vary by state, but you can compare requirements and learn more about these regulations here.
Once you pass your exam and receive your license, you can begin exploring MSW jobs and practicing in your field.
Navigating the Licensing Process
So, what exactly does the licensing process entail? As you can probably imagine, this will depend on the state where you are planning to work and its specific laws.
Understanding State-Specific Requirements
Always take time to research the state-specific requirements that apply to you when it comes to pursuing an LBSW. Some states may allow you to take the licensure examination with just a bachelor's degree, but most will require an MSW.
The Application and Examination Process
The exam for the LBSW is the Association of Social Work Board Bachelor's Exam. If you meet the qualifications to take it, you'll need to submit an application for licensure and pay the registration fee. From there, you can schedule your exam, which is taken on a computer and consists of about 170 questions.
Once you pass the exam, you'll still need to apply for a social work license through your state's licensing authority. This typically involves showing proof that you passed the exam as well as submitting to a background check and providing school transcripts. You may also be responsible for paying application fees, though this can vary by state.
Career Opportunities and Advancements for LBSWs
Working as a licensed social worker can be a challenging yet rewarding job. You can enjoy not only knowing your work is helping people each day but also a certain level of job stability in this role. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for social workers nationwide is expected to grow by 7% between 2022 and 2032.
Diverse Fields and Specializations
Another advantage of earning your license in social work is that you can really delve into the areas of the field that most interest you. Whether you want to work with children and families, military veterans or those who are incarcerated, you can explore a diverse range of career paths as an LBSW. Examples of realms in which social workers can work include:
- Mental health clinics or treatment services
- Substance abuse treatment
- Schools and educational institutions
- Child welfare services
- Housing and unemployment services
- Senior living facilities
- Disability or other healthcare services
- Corporations or other private agencies
- Domestic violence centers
- Prisons
There is also plenty of room for advancement in the field once you have your license; in many cases, LBSWs go on to work in leadership and supervisory roles where they may be in charge of teams of social workers.
Continuing Education and Professional Development
After obtaining your license as a social worker, it's crucial to note that you may need to renew your license every so often to keep it active. The licensing requirements and costs to renew vary by state but often include showing proof that you have completed a certain amount of continuing education or professional development credits.
The field of social work is always changing and evolving, so social workers should be committed to a lifetime of learning. This means attending professional development events like workshops, conferences and discussions that enable you to continue doing your best work while maintaining your professional license.
Ready to Pursue an Advanced MSW Degree?
If you already hold a bachelor's degree in social work or a related discipline but are looking to take your social work education to the next level, then a master's in social work may be the next logical step. Not only is an MSW required for licensure in many states, but having an advanced degree can also enhance your knowledge in the field while empowering you to make a bigger difference in the lives of the people you serve.
The University of Memphis Global is proud to offer an advanced Master of Social Work program that consists of 37 credit hours. In addition, this program includes a field placement totaling 560 contact hours, allowing you to gain valuable hands-on experience that can prepare you to earn your license.
Get in touch to learn more about U of M Global's Master of Social Work degree program and what we have to offer our students. Or, get started with your application online today.
Sources
https://www.memphis.edu/uofmglobal/degrees/graduate/mswadvanced.php
https://www.memphis.edu/graduateadmissions/future/apply_grad.php
https://apply.memphis.edu/register/inquiryumglobal
https://www.socialwork.org/licensed-baccalaureate-social-worker-lbsw/
https://aswbsocialworkregulations.org/jurisdictionLevelsReportBuilder.jsp
https://www.socialworkers.org/News/Facts/Types-of-Social-Work