The Virginia Department of Health Professions, Board of Social Work issues three types of social work licenses:
Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW) – This license allows you to engage in the practice of social work at a generalized level under the supervision of an LMSW. You cannot engage in clinical social work, and this license is not a prerequisite to become a clinical social worker. As an LBSW you can do things like:
- Casework management
- Consultation
- Supportive services
- Education
Licensed Master’s Social Worker (LMSW) – This license allows you to engage in the same scope of practice as an LBSW independently, and additionally supervise staff and engage in management.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) – This is a clinical license that allows you to practice at an autonomous level, including the provision of diagnostic, treatment, and preventative services to those affected by psychological or social health impairment or stress. This includes
counseling and psychotherapy for:
- Mental disorders
- Family and marriage dysfunction
- Substance abuse
Steps Towards Social Work Licensure in Virginia
To be eligible for any social work license from the Virginia Board of Social Work you need to:
Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW)
Application process:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree in Social Work.
- Submit an online application with the Board of Social Work along with a $100 application fee. This will include instructions for how to mail in your official education transcripts and your NPDB report.
- Once the Board of Social Work approves your application it will send you an approval letter stating you’re cleared to register for the ASWB exam.
- Register with the ASWB for its Bachelors exam. When you pass it the ASWB will notify the Board of Social Work.
- The Board of Social Work will email you confirming your licensure, and mail a paper copy to you.
Licensed Master’s Social Worker (LMSW)
Learn more about The Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
Application process:
- Earn a master’s degree in Social Work.
- Submit an online application with the Board of Social Work along with a $115 application fee. This will include instructions for how to mail in your official education transcripts and your NPDB report.
- Once the Board of Social Work approves your application it will send you an approval letter stating you’re cleared to register for the ASWB exam.
- Register with the ASWB for its Masters exam. When you pass it the ASWB will notify the Board of Social Work.
- The Board of Social Work will email you confirming your licensure, and mail a paper copy to you.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Learn More Detail About The LCSW Here
Application process:
- Earn a master’s degree in Social Work from a program that includes a clinical course of study. This means graduate coursework with advanced specialized courses in subjects like social justice and policy, clinical practicums, psychopathology, human behavior and the social environment, and clinical practice with individuals, families, and groups.
- Start fulfilling the supervised clinical experience requirement. To begin this process you’ll need to find a supervisor who is an LCSW with at least two years of experience. Local social work associations or your social work education program can help you locate a supervisor. Once you’ve found one you’ll need to provide their name and your supervision location to the Board of Social Work by applying with an online account. This will give you access to forms you need to print out and mail in to the Board of Social Work, including verification of your education including a clinical course of study, a supervision registration form, and a form the verifies your supervisor’s eligibility. There’s a $50 fee to officially register a supervisor.
- Once you’ve registered your supervisor with the Board of Social Work it will officially designate you as a Supervisee in Clinical Social Work. At this point you can begin accruing supervised clinical social work experience in your approved paid or volunteer setting. Keep track of this on an LCSW Supervision Log. You must accrue at least 3,000 hours over at least two years, including 100 hours of face-to-face experience with your supervisor, and 1,380 hours of face-to-face experience with clients. Once you’ve completed your supervision have your supervisor give you a completed Verification of Clinical Supervision form.
- Fill out an online application for licensure with the Board of Social Work. You’ll need to include the Verification of Clinical Supervision form, an NPDB report, and a $165 application fee.
- Once the Board of Social Work approves your application it will send you an approval letter stating you’re cleared to register for the ASWB exam.
- Register with the ASWB for its Clinical exam. When you pass it the ASWB will notify the Board of Social Work.
- The Board of Social Work will email you confirming your licensure, and mail a paper copy to you.
Renewing the LBSW, LMSW, and LCSW
All licenses expire each year on June 30th. Renewal fees are $55, $65, and $90, respectively. You can renew your license online starting 45 to 60 days before it expires. In even-numbered years, during renewal you’ll have to attest that you’ve completed 15 hours of continuing education if you’re an LBSW or LMSW, and 30 hours of continuing education if you’re an LCSW. Continuing education is not required for your first renewal.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Social Worker in Virginia?
Once you graduate from high school you can earn a BSW degree and become an LBSW in as soon as four years. Earning an MSW degree and becoming an LMSW takes at least another two years. Beyond that, gaining at least two years of supervised experience brings the minimum total time investment you need to make to become an LCSW to eight years.
Social Work Degrees in Virginia
To become a licensed social worker in Virginia, the Board of Social Work mandates that you must earn a degree from a school that’s accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE). Right now there are 18 CSWE-accredited BSW and MSW programs in the state, four of which are offered online. There are additional options for doctoral-level Social Work programs.
Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work (BSW)
There are currently 14 CSWE-accredited BSW programs in Virginia, one of which is offered online. Earning a BSW from a CSWE-accredited school qualifies you for the LBSW credential, and is also a stepping stone towards earning an MSW and qualifying for the remaining social work licenses issued by the state board. You can earn a BSW in approximately four years, and they total around 120 semester credits.
Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW)
Virginia is home to four CSWE-accredited MSW programs, three of which have options for online completion. All of Virginia’s CSWE-accredited MSW programs include the option to complete a clinical course of education, and include practicum options that total at least 900 hours. The Virginia Board of Social Work requires LCSW applicants to have completed a practicum of at least 600 hours that focused on prevention, treatment services, and diagnosing.
Doctoral Degree in Social Work
While not required for licensure, earning a doctoral degree in Social Work demonstrates you’ve mastered the subject academically. Programs at this level are offered in PhD and Doctor of Social Work (DSW) formats. PhDs can take longer to complete and be more research intensive, while DSW programs may be more clinical practice focused. Both types of programs offer opportunities for niche specialization.
Reciprocity
The Virginia Board of Social Work doesn’t have reciprocity agreements with any other state, however you can still apply through the traditional online application process detailed above for your desired license, and meet the education requirement –and possibly the supervised experience requirements for LCSWs– with qualifications earned out of state. The online application contains an out-of-state Licensure Verification form ($25 fee) that you need to mail in to the Board of Social Work along with the other required documents detailed above.
Out-of-State Supervised Clinical Experience for LCSWs – If you completed this in another state and it fulfilled the requirements for obtaining an out-of-state LCSW, it can possibly fulfill Virginia’s requirements for licensure. Have your out-of-state supervisor complete the Verification of Supervision form that’s included as part of the LCSW application process.
How Much do Social Workers Earn in Virginia?
The US Department of Labor reports the following average annual salary information for different social work career classes, specifically for Virginia:
- Social and Community Service Manager – $85,900
- Healthcare Social Worker – $57,640
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker – $52,980
- Child, Family, and School Social Worker – $52,800
- Social Worker, All Other – $71,600l c
Social Work Resources in Virginia
Virginia is fortunate to be within earshot of the nation’s capital. As a result several national social work organizations have their headquarters here. You can find additional information about the social work profession, networking opportunities, and information about approved supervisors and continuing education with organizations like:
Virginia Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) – With approximately 3,500 local members, this organization works to achieve the highest standards in this profession through advocacy, research, community involvement, and legislative proposals.
Virginia Society of Clinical Social Work (VSCSW) – This organization has been promoting the highest standards of clinical social work and professional education across the state since 1976. It works to protect the practice rights of clinical social workers and is comprised of four local Virginia chapters.
Virginia Association of School Social Workers (VASSW) – Whether it’s substance abuse, truancy, mental health issues, or family conflicts, school social workers address these student challenges head-on, serving as the go-between for many students and a successful experience with K-12 education. This organization can trace its roots all the way back to 1945.
Richmond Association of Black Social Workers (RABSW) – Committed to empowering people of African ancestry and enhancing quality of life, RABSW accomplishes its goals through advocacy, research, and human services. This organization works to ensure people of African ancestry will live free from racial domination, cultural oppression, and economic exploitation.
Career Opportunities in Virginia
Some of the largest employers of social workers in Virginia include:
Virginia Department of Health – As the state-level agency encompassing the response to all health issues throughout Virginia, this department works independently throughout the state in addition to forming partnerships within local communities. Issues it addresses include adolescent mental health, substance abuse, geriatric challenges, women’s health, mental disabilities, and much more.
Fairfax County Public Schools – Not only is this the largest public school district in Virginia, it’s the largest school district in the greater Washington metropolitan area. Each year more than 185,000 students depend on the vital education provided in the district’s 222 schools by more than 12,000 teachers and over 17,000 staff in total.
Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute – This organization has been offering in-patient mental health services since 1968, and today has grown to a 134-bed facility that includes five inpatient units plus nine treatment teams. It’s reserved for those in need of court-ordered treatment or acute psychiatric care.
Right Path Addiction Treatment Center – With locations in Outer Banks, Richmond, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, and Newport News, this agency is one of Virginia’s most important resources for helping residents tackle addiction issues related to alcohol, tobacco, opioids, prescription drugs, and illegal drugs.
Inova Fairfax Hospital – The flagship healthcare facility of the Inova Health System and the largest healthcare campus in Northern Virginia, this facility houses 923 beds and can trace its roots back to 1961. It’s the region’s only level one trauma center and hosts an obstetrics program that’s among the top-five busiest in the nation.
