| Licensing
Information |
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Online
Licensing:
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The
Social Work Licensing Law (A.C.A.
17-103-101 et seq.) requires individuals who practice
social work or represent themselves to the public as
social workers to be licensed.
"Social
work practice" is defined as a professional service
which effects change in social conditions, human behavior,
and emotional responses of individuals, couples, families,
groups and organizations. "Social work practice"
can only be performed with specialized knowledge and
skills related to human development, the potential for
human growth, the availability of social resources,
and the knowledge of social systems. The disciplined
application of social work knowledge and skills includes,
but is not restricted to, the following:
- Counseling
with individuals, couples, families, and
groups for
purposes of assessment and enhancement of the problem-solving
and coping capacities of people; and
- The
application of social work knowledge and skills in
social planning, administration and research.
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| Levels
and Qualifications |
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levels of licensure and requirements are as follows:
Licensed
Social Worker (LSW)
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A bachelor's degree in social work from a program accredited
by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE); successful
completion of a Board-approved examination; and has
applied a criminal background check and has not been
found guilty of or pleaded guilty or nolo contendere
to any of the offenses listed in A.C.A.
17-103-307(f) - PDF.
Licensed
Master Social Worker (LMSW) -
A master's degree in social work from a program accredited
by the Council on Social Work Education; successful
completion of a Board-approved examination; and has
applied for a criminal background check and has not
been found guilty of or pleaded guilty or nolo contendere
to any of the offenses listed in A.C.A.
17-103-307(f) - PDF.
Licensed
Certified Social Worker (LCSW)
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A master's degree in social work from a program accredited
by the Council on Social Work Education; two-years (4000 hours) postmaster's
LCSW supervised social work experience; successful completion
of a Board-approved examination; and has applied for
a criminal background check and has not been found guilty
of or pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to any of the
offenses listed in A.C.A.
17-103-307(f) - PDF.
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| Provisional
License |
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| First-time applicants for LSW or LMSW licensure will be issued a provisional license upon approval of his or her application. A provisional license will be issued one time per person and will expire exactly one-year from the date of issuance. Provisional licensing is prohibited at the LCSW level.
An applicant for licensure through reciprocity will be issued a six-month provisional license pending receipt of the results of his or her criminal background check. Applicants must apply for a criminal background check prior to being issued a provisional license. The fingerprint cards and instructions for having a background check will be mailed to the applicant upon receipt of his or her application. |
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| Examination |
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| The
Board currently uses the Association of Social Work
Boards (ASWB) examinations. ACT administers the examinations in
Fort Smith, Harrison and Little Rock. The levels of licensure
and examinations are as follows:
Licensed
Social Worker - Bachelors
Licensed Master Social Worker - Masters
Licensed Certified Social Worker - Advanced Generalist or
Clinical |
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NOTE:
No
one may take the examination without a valid
application on file with the Board
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| Criminal
Background Checks |
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| All
first-time applicants for a social work license must apply
to the Identification Bureau of the Arkansas State Police
for state and national criminal background checks. No
person shall be eligible to hold a license if that person
has been found guilty of or pleaded guilty or nolo contendere
to any of the offenses listed in A.
C. A. 17-103-307(f) - PDF. The provisions of the requirement
may be waived by the Board if the applicant meets the
requirements for a waiver as defined in A.C.A.
17-103-307(h) - PDF. |
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| Reciprocity |
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| The
Board may grant a license without examination to an applicant
meeting all the requirements for licensure in Arkansas
and who, at the time of application, is currently licensed
as a social worker by another state, territory or district
whose standards are not lower than those in Arkansas. |
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| Fees |
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Application
fee:
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$100.00
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Renewal
fee:
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$80.00
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Duplicate
License:
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$20.00
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Endorsement
to Another State:
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$20.00
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Examination: (ASWB)
Bachelor's
Master’s
Advanced Generalist
Clinical
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$230
$230
$260
$260
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