Steps for Residency (Initial) Certification as a School Social Worker

Post MSW Applicants and UW Alumni

While the general requirements are the same as those for current MSW students, we highly recommend that you review the information provided by the Office of Public Instruction regarding certification as a school social worker in Washington State to clarify the requirements you must meet. http://www.k12.wa.us/certification/ESA/ESAinformation.aspx

The most current information regarding certification as a school social worker for those who obtained their MSWs at another university/college can be found at: http://www.k12.wa.us/certification/ESA/ESAcertificatetypes.aspx#Residency

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Requirements for certification as a school social worker in the state of Washington:

• MSW degree from an accredited college or university
• Successful completion of graduate level coursework on school social work
• Successful completion of 300 hours of supervised school experience that meets criteria established by the WAC which is 180-78A-319.
• Successful completion of school social worker exam
• Successful completion of Praxis II school social worker exam
• Criminal background check and fingerprinting. For information on the background check and fingerprinting visit http://www.k12.wa.us/ProfPractices/fingerprint. No documentation is required since the CE Office is now able to verify clearance by checking the WSO database on the Web.
• Completion and submission of all required School of Social Work and OSPI forms and fees

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If you currently have an MSW and have completed an approved preparation program in another state or hold a school social work license or certificate from another state, please contact OSPI directly at:

http://www.k12.wa.us/certification/ESA/ESAcertificatetypes.aspx

or contact Judy Smith at jsmith@ospi.wedet.edu

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If you currently have an MSW but need to complete a preparation program, the following resources are available:

Supervised School Experience

300 hours of supervised school experience are required which meet criteria established by WAC 180-78A-319. Contact Washington Association of School Social Workers, www.wassw.org, or Ann Pulkkinen, annpulk@comcast.net.

School Social Work Course

UW-Tacoma
Offers a graduate school social work course 1x per year; may have space for non-matriculated students. Contact Terri Simonsen, 253-692-5822, hermant@u.washington.edu.

UW - Seattle
Offers a graduate school social work course in Winter Quarter only; may have space for non-matriculated students. Contact Gary Olson around the beginning of November of the prior term regarding space availability, 206-616-5830 or garyo@u.washington.edu.

Michigan State University School of SW
They offer on-line courses in school social work. Visit their Web site.  Look for the Social Work Course #873.

School Social Work Exam

Educational Testing Service-Praxis Exams
The Praxis II exam is an accepted exam for school social worker certification in Washington. Under Tests, click on Praxis. In the middle of the page under State Testing Requirements, select Washington. Read through Q/A's for test information.  To locate the test list, click on the link Praxis Test Lists and Fees within the answer to the sixth question, "How much does it cost to take a Praxis test?"   From the alphabetical list, choose the test titled "School Social Worker: Content Knowledge", course #20211.

Upon completion of the coursework, school experience and exam, please submit the following:

1. Official transcript verifying MSW degree.
2. An official transcript or letter indicating successful completion of a graduate level course on school social work.
3. Documentation of successful completion of school experience which meets criteria established by WAC which 180-78A-319. Click here for the link to the School Based Experience Log.
   
4. Copy of the Praxis Score Report to indicate successful completion of the school social work exam.
   
5. Completion of the following forms:
   
   School of Social Work File Initiation Form and Fee ($75). This enables us to establish and maintain your file, provide file and record reviews and then forward a final recommendation to OSPI for certification. (Submitted to School of Social Work Continuing Education Office) Click here for the File Initiation Word Form.
   
   Fee for Residency (Initial) Certification to Educational Service District ($35). (Sent directly to Educational Services School District) Click here for the Fee for Residency Word Form.
   
   Application for Washington State Educational Staff Associate Certification, Form 4301 (Submitted to School of Social Work Continuing Education Office with your other materials) Click here for Form 4301. Go to bottom of page under "Educational Staff Associate—School Psychologist/School Counselor/School Social Worker."
   
   Background Questionnaire-Character and Fitness Supplement Form 4020B (Submitted to School of Social Work Continuing Education Office with your other materials) Click here for Form 4020B. See top of page under “General.”

PLEASE NOTE: In order for your application to be accepted and processed all materials must be submitted at the same time.

Your file will be reviewed by the certification administrator in the School of Social Work-UW. When she signs off on your file, it will be forwarded to Michael Nielson in the University of Washington College of Education. He will send you a permit in the mail within 2-3 weeks. If you do not receive your permit in the mail within that time, please feel free to contact him at mnielsen@u.washington.edu, 206-616-9610.

You should receive the permanent certificate in the mail from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction within a couple of months after receiving the permit. The contact person is Judy Smith, Program and Certification Specialist, 360-725-6327, jsmith@ospi.wednet.edu.