Kay McCormack, Executive Director
P.O. Box 45033
Newark, N.J. 07101
(973) 504-6495

Questions concerning the practice of social work, licensing and eligibility requirements, license verification or complaints may be addressed to the State Board of Social Work Examiners at P.O. Box 45033, Newark, N.J. 07101.

The following information is available from the Board office:

The State Board of Social Work Examiners approves individuals for certification and licensure to practice social work in the State of New Jersey. There are three levels of social work practice: certified social workers (CSW), licensed social workers (LSW) and licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).

The following items must be submitted for each applicant:

An applicant for certification as a social worker shall submit the following, on forms provided by the Board:

1. A completed application form, which requests information concerning the applicant's educational and experiential background;
2. The application fee set forth in N.J.A.C. 13:44G-14.1; and
3. The following documents:
   • An official transcript indicating that the applicant has received a baccalaureate degree in social work from an educational program accredited, or in candidacy for accreditation, by the Council on Social Work Education; or
   • An official transcript indicating that the applicant acquired a baccalaureate degree prior to April 6, 1995, from an accredited institution of higher education in one of the following fields: guidance and counseling, human services, marriage and family counseling, psychology, sociology, vocational/disability rehabilitation, and social work (from institutions not accredited, or in candidacy for accreditation, by the Council on Social Work Education), and an affidavit or other form as the Board may require attesting to the applicant having acquired one year of full-time social work experience (1,600 hours in any consecutive 18-month period) prior to April 6, 1995.

Eligibility Requirements - Licensed Social Worker (LSW)

An applicant for licensure as a social worker shall submit the following, on forms provided by the Board:

1. A completed application form, which requests information concerning the applicant's educational and experiential background;
2. The application fee set forth in N.J.A.C. 13:44G-14.1;
3. An official transcript indicating that the applicant has received a master's degree in social work from an educational program accredited, or in candidacy for accreditation, by the Council on Social Work Education; or a doctorate in social work from an accredited institution of higher education; and
4. Proof of successful completion of the masters level examination administered by the Association of Social Work Boards.
   1. An applicant pursuing a master's degree in social work and enrolled in the last semester of an educational program accredited or in candidacy for accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education is eligible to take the masters level examination.

Eligibility Requirements - Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

For purposes of this section, N.J.A.C. 13:44G-4.1 indicates that "two years of full-time clinical social work" means 1,920 hours of face-to-face client contact within any three consecutive year period subsequent to earning a master's degree in social work under direct supervision pursuant to the standards set forth in N.J.A.C. 13:44G-8.1.

An applicant for licensure as a clinical social worker shall submit the following, on forms provided by the Board:

1. A completed application form, which requests information concerning the applicant's educational and experiential background;
2. The application fee set forth in N.J.A.C.13:44G-14.1;
3. An official transcript indicating that the applicant:
   1. a. Received a master's degree in social work from an educational program accredited, or in candidacy for accreditation, by the Council on Social Work Education; or a doctorate degree in social work from an accredited institution of higher education;
      
      b. Completed 12 semester hours of graduate level course work in methods of clinical social work practice, exclusive of field placement, from an educational program accredited, or in candidacy for accreditation, by the Council on Social Work Education. The applicant shall obtain 12 credits in any of the following areas of study:
      1. Human behavior and the social environment;
      2. Diagnosis and assessment in social work practice;
      3. Models of psychotherapy or clinical practice (for example, psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive therapies, task-centered, psychosocial,crisis intervention approaches, etc.);
      4. Clinical supervision and consultation; and/or
      5. Intervention with special populations.
         
   2. A supervisor's certification, or the applicant's affidavit in lieu of a supervisor's certification, indicating that the applicant has acquired two years of full-time clinical social work experience under supervision within a period of not less than two, and not more than three, consecutive years;
   3. Proof that the applicant has successfully completed the clinical examination administered by the Association of Social Work Boards; and
   4. 6. Proof that the applicant was a licensed social worker at the time that the experience in (a) above was acquired, or proof that the applicant engaged in social work practice in a setting in which licensure is not required pursuant to N.J.S.A. 45:15BB-5.

Endorsement

An applicant who is licensed or registered under the laws of a state, territory or jurisdiction of the United States and who otherwise meets the requirements of N.J.A.C. 13:44G-4.1 and 4.2 may be exempt from the examination requirements of N.J.A.C. 13:44G-4.1 and 4.2 provided that:

1. The educational and experiential requirements of the state, territory or jurisdiction are substantially the same as the requirements of the Social Workers' Licensing Act of 1991; and
2. The applicant has passed an examination similar to the Board-approved examination.

An applicant for licensure pursuant to this section shall submit the following to the Board:

1. A completed application form, which requests information concerning the applicant's educational and experiential background;
2. The application fee set forth in N.J.A.C. 13:44G-14.1;
3. The documentation required pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:44G-4.1 or 4.2 relative to educational and experiential requirements for the type of licensure sought; and
4. Examination results.

For additional information on the following:

• License/certification verification
• Filing a complaint
• Rules and regulations
• Continuing education

Write to: New Jersey State Board of Social Work Examiners, P.O. Box 45033, Newark, New Jersey 07101 or call: (973) 504-6495.