1. NAVIGATING THE LCSW LICENSING PROCESS
KIM MADSEN
EXECUTIVE OFFICER

2. PATH TO LICENSURE
Possess a Master’s Degree from an accredited school of social work.
Register with the BBS as an ACSW; begin earning supervised experience hours
Apply to take the California Law and Ethics Examination
Apply for the Clinical Examination after you have earned 3000 supervised hours, 104 weeks of supervision, and you have passed the California Law and Ethics examination.
Pass the Clinical Examination – ASWB National Examination
Apply for Initial Licensure and Receive your LCSW.

3. EDUCATION
Qualifying Master’s Degree - Defined as a degree from a school that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education.

4. ACSW REGISTRATION Complete the ACSW registration packet
A complete ACSW packet has all of the following:
An application form that is signed
A 2X2 passport photo
A copy of the Live Scan (fingerprints) form
School transcripts in a sealed envelope with qualifying degree date posted.
Fee

5. APPLICATION RECOMMENDATIONS
Review your application prior to submitting it to BBS.
Is your check and application signed? Photo, transcripts, live scan form included?
Make a photocopy of all documents (except your transcripts) you send to the BBS.
Consider submitting your application via a priority mail service that provides you confirmation your application was delivered to BBS, or
A self-addressed and stamped postcard may be included in your application in lieu of using priority mail service.

6. ADDITIONAL COURSEWORK
All California Schools of Social Work are Accredited by the Commission of Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
If you received your degree after 2008 no additional coursework is required.

7. NEW LEGISLATIVE CHANGES
“90-Day Rule” for ACSWs
Apply within 90 days of granting of degree
After January 1, 2020 must provide evidence employer conducted live scan
Board issues registration
Allows for Triadic Supervision (1:2 ratio).
Services must be performed as a volunteer or employee, not as an independent contractor.
Eliminates the cap (15) of registrants in a professional corporation. Supervision ratio remains 1:3.

8. GAINING SUPERVISED HOURS
At least two (2) years of supervised post- master’s degree experience is required.
All hours must be gained under a Qualified Supervisor.
All hours must be obtained while registered as an associate clinical social worker.
No more than 40 hours of experience may be credited in any seven consecutive days.
Must be an employee or volunteer. May not be an independent contractor.

9. 3000 supervised work experience hours
2000 Clinical Hours
(A minimum)
1700 hours under a LCSW
750 hours must include face to face individual or group psychotherapy provided in the context of clinical social work
1000 hours Non- Clinical Hours
(A maximum)
Client Center Advocacy
Consultation
Evaluation
Research
Direct Supervisor Contact
Workshops, Training,
Seminars

10. WEEKLY SUPERVISION 104 Weeks of Supervision
52 weeks must be individual supervision (13 weeks under a LCSW) – 1 hour in duration.
1 hour of Direct Supervisor contact is required to count ANY work experience in a given week.
This contact may be either individual supervision, triadic supervision or two hours of group supervision.

11. WEEKLY SUPERVISION
Group Supervision is 2 hours in duration and may not include more than 8 individuals.
For every 10 client contact hours, 1 hour of individual or triadic supervision or two hours of group supervision is required. Any hours above 10 hours of client contact requires an additional unit of supervision (e.g. 1 hour individual, triadic or 2 hours group).

12. Licensed Psychologist or Psychiatrist
Qualified supervisor
LCSW, LMFT, LPCC
Licensed Psychologist or Psychiatrist
Licensed for 2 years in California or another state
Holds a valid and unrestricted California License
Completed a 15 hour supervision course.
Licensed for 2 years in California or another state
Holds a valid and unrestricted California License

13. Supervisor responsibilities Business and Professions Code 4996.20(b)
Ensure the extent, quality of counseling is consistent with your education and training.
Monitor and evaluate your assessment, diagnosis, and treatment decision – feedback
Monitor and evaluate your ability to provide services at your site.
Monitor and evaluate clinical dynamics – counter transference.
Ensure your compliance with the law and regulations
Review your progress notes, treatment records
With your client’s consent, direct observation of your session.

14. California Law and Ethics Examination
All ACSWs must take the California Law and Ethics Examination within the first year of receiving their ACSW registration.
Complete the Request for Initial California Law and Ethics Examination application.
Submit the completed application and fee to the BBS.
Once the application is processed, contact the testing vendor to schedule your examination.
Once the examination is passed – the ACSW has completed this licensure requirement.

15. California Law and Ethics Examination
To request testing accommodations, submit the request at the same time you submit your application to take the examination.
The California Law and Ethics Examination may be taken every 90 days.
Candidates who must re-take the examination are required to submit the Request for Re-examination application and fee.
Proof of completion of the 12 hour Law and Ethics course is required with the first re-examination application following your renewal.

16. LCSW CLINICAL EXAMINATION PROCESS
Submit the Licensed Clinical Social Worker Application for Licensure and Examination and fee.
Register with ASWB to take the clinical examination.
Pass the ASWB clinical examination.
Submit the application and fee for initial licensure
CONGRATULATIONS!
YOU ARE A LCSW!

17. SIX YEAR RULE Registration six year rule.
ACSW registrations may be renewed five times (6 year total)
If you are not finished gaining your work experience hours within this time period, you may apply for a subsequent registration number. However, a subsequent registration number will not be issued if you have not passed the California Law and Ethics Examination.
Supervised work experience hours six year rule
All hours of experience must be gained within the most recent six years from the time you apply for the LCSW Clinical Examination.

18. PRIOR CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS
Applicants are required to disclose all prior criminal convictions; even if the conviction has been expunged. Review the following information regarding Criminal Convictions on our applicant page. If you are required to disclose a prior conviction
Complete the Background Statement Form
Provide all of the requested documentation. Certified court records, arresting agency report, and rehabilitation statements.
Read the information and follow the instructions in the Background Statement Form.

19. PRIOR CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS
A registration will not be issued to you until you receive a criminal background clearance from the BBS.
Each criminal conviction is evaluated on a case by case basis with a focus on consumer protection.
Many applicants with criminal convictions are approved for a registration.
Some applicants are denied, but may receive a registration that is placed on probation with specific terms and conditions for a specific period of time.

20. ACSW RESPONSIBILITIES
Each year renew your registration early.
Apply and take the California Law and Ethics Examination within the first year of receiving your registration. You must take this examination at least once a year, until you pass, to be eligible to renew your registration.
Verify your supervisor’s license status.
Obtain your supervisor’s signature on weekly logs as you earn the hours.
Actively engage in the supervision process. Discuss the supervisory plan, goals, and any concerns.

21. ACSW RESPONSIBILITIES
Keep copies of all documents submitted to BBS.
Be familiar with the statutes and regulations governing your profession.
Be familiar with the Code of Ethics related to your profession.
Be aware of any due dates or deadlines that affect your ability to test or your application.
Stay informed about proposed changes in the law that affect your registration/ license.
Get connected to BBS – Subscriber List, Facebook, Twitter

22. SUPERVISED WORK EXPERIENCE FORMS
All forms are available on the BBS website under the LCSW tab.
Responsibility Statement for Supervisors of an ACSW (Your supervisor signs this form).
Supervisory Plan ( One for each supervisor. You and your supervisor will complete this form).
Clinical Social Worker Experience Verification (You will total up all your hours from a setting or under a supervisor on this form; supervisor must sign this form).
ACSW Weekly Log (a resource for you to track your hours and your supervisor to sign each week. You may use this log to fill out the Experience Verification form).

23. ALL FORMS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE BBS WEBSITE
Select the LCSW tab