Frequently Asked Questions on Social Work Associate Licensure in Washington State
February, 2010 Laura Groshong, LICSW, WSSCSW Legislative Chair lwgroshong@comcast.net
1. When did Social Work licensure go into effect in Washington?
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) and Licensed Advanced Social Worker (LASW) went into effect on July 22, 2001. Licensed Social Work Associate-Independent Clinical (LSWAIC) and Licensed Social Work Associate–Advanced (LSWAA), titles for clinical social workers working toward full licensure, became regulated on July 1, 2009. All social work licenses are under the oversight of the Department of Health (http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/Professions/Social_Worker/Default.htm) .
2. What happened to the Registered Counselor title? The Registered Counselor title is ending on July 1, 2010. LSWAICs and LSWAAs are two of the eight titles which are replacing the Registered Counselor title.
3. Are there any Certified Social Workers (CSWs) in Washington? No, Certified Social Workers were a regulatory category prior to social work licensure and existed from 1988 to 2001, and ended in 2001 when licensure went into effect.
4. What are the requirements for LSWAIC or LSWAA? Applicants must have an MSW from an approved school of social work and have an approved supervisor.
5. What are the requirements to become an LICSW? The requirements include an MSW; three years post-graduate experience; at least 4000 hours of experience, including 1000 direct contact hours; 130 hours of clinical supervision by an Approved Supervisor; and passing the ASWB Clinical Examination.
6. What are the requirements to become an LASW? The requirements include an MSW; two years post-graduate experience; at least 3200 hours of experience, including 800 direct contact hours; 90 hours of clinical supervision by an Approved Supervisor; and passing the ASWB Advanced Examination.
7. Can experience and supervision received prior to, or during, graduate school be applied to any social work licensure requirements? No, all experience and supervision must be obtained after receiving an MSW.
8. Do LSWAICs and LSWAAs need to complete their supervision and experience requirements prior to taking an examination? Yes.
9. When can LSWAICs and LSWAAs take the Clinical Examination or the Advanced Examination, respectively? An LSWAIC or LSWAA can take the appropriate examination no sooner than three years after they have received an MSW. An LSWAIC or LSWAA must have completed all supervision and experience requirements prior to taking the examination. Examinations are scheduled through the Washington Department of Health, after submitting verification to DOH of all other requirements, and are taken online.
10. How long can an LSWAIC or an LSWAA renew their license? Four times, for a total of five years.
11. Do LSWAICs and LSWAAs need to have training in HIV/AIDS? Yes. All licensed health care professionals need to have four hours of documented training in HIV/AIDs. There are many online courses which serve this purpose.
12. Do LSWAICs and LSWAAs need to accrue Continuing Education hours? At the current time, LSWAICs and LSWAAs do not need to accrue continuing education hours. Social work codes of ethics suggest that all licensed social workers receive continuing education.
13. Do LSWAICs and LSWAAs need to give all clients a Disclosure Statement about their work? Yes. In addition to all the requirements in RCW 18.19 for Disclosure Statements given to clients by LICSWs and LASWs (http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=18.19.060), LSWAICs and LSWAAs must also include that they work under supervision and are not fully licensed.
14. Who may be an Approved Supervisor for LSWAICs and LSWAAs? An LICSW with 15 hours of training as a supervisor, 2 years of supervisory experience, and 2 years of post-license clinical experience may be an approved supervisor for LSWAICs and LSWAs. An LASW who meets the same requirements may supervise LASW licensure candidates. Other equally qualified licensed mental health practitioners may provide part of the approved supervision for LSWAICs and LSWAAs (40 hours=LSWAAs; 60 hours=LSWAICs.)
15. How does an LSWAIC or LSWAA find an Approved Supervisor? If you do not have an approved supervisor in your agency, you will need to find an approved supervisor privately. Low fee supervision is available for LSWAICs and LSWAAs through the Washington State Society for Clinical Social Work (www.wsscsw.org) for Associate members.
16. Do LSWAICs and LSWAAs need to have a written contract with their supervisor? No, but it is a best practice. It is the joint responsibility of the approved supervisor and supervisee to maintain documentation of the supervision hours.
17. Do LSWAICs and LSWAAs need to keep ongoing records about their work with their clients? Yes, and records must be retained for five years.
18. Can an LSWAIC be in private practice? No, though LSWAICs can work in an office or agency under supervision.
19. What agency oversees social work licensees? The Department of Health is the oversight and disciplinary body for social work licensees. DOH has an investigatory unit that processes all complaints against licensed social workers. There is also an Advisory Committee which meets quarterly that consults with the Department of Health on all issues that affect LICSWs, LASWs, LSWAICs, and LSWAAs, as well as licensed marriage and family therapist categories and mental health counselor categories.
20. How much does it cost to become licensed as an LSWAIC or LSWAA in Washington? The Department of Health application fee is $50.00 and the license/renewal fee is $40.00 (see complete list below).
21. How many licensed social workers are there in Washington? There are approximately 3300 LICSWs, 130 LASWs, 170 LSWAICs, and 30 LSWAAs as of February 26, 2010.
22. What Washington laws and ethical standards apply to LSWAICs and LSWAAs? LSWAICs and LSWAAs are required to comply with the Uniform Disciplinary Act (RCW 18.130.080). LSWAICs and LSWAAs are never allowed to have sexual contact with current or former clients.
23. Are requirements for LSWAICs different from standards for LMFTAs and LMHCAs? Yes, there are differences in degree, experience, testing, and supervision requirements, though there are some similarities.
24. What are the scopes of practice for social work licensure in Washington? The scope of practice for LICSWs allows them to diagnose all mental and emotional disorders in DSW-IV and to practice psychotherapy or counseling, as well as all activities performed by LASWs. The scope of practice for LASWs allows them to provide casework services, do social systems assessments, and provide counseling. LASWs may not diagnose or provide psychotherapy for emotional disorders. LSWAICs and LSWAAs are not allowed to diagnose. LSWAICs and LSWAAs are allowed to conduct psychotherapy with approved supervision.
25. Does Washington have reciprocity with other states? Washington has reciprocity with states whose social work licensure standards meet or exceed licensure standards in Washington. If standards do not meet Washington licensure standards, the experience, supervision, and testing that has taken place elsewhere will apply and the additional hours can be acquired to meet licensure standards here.
26. Do LICSWs in Washington have “privilege” to protect patient records? Yes, LICSWs have their records protected by the legal standard of “privilege”, meaning the information in them is protected from most legal disclosure, at the state and Federal levels.
27. What ethical standards apply to all licensed social workers in Washington? LICSWs, LASWs, LSWAICs, and LSWAAs are required to comply with the Uniform Disciplinary Act (RCW 18.130, http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=18.130). In addition, LICSWs, LASWs, LSWAICs, and LSWAAs are never allowed to have sexual contact with current or former clients.
