Connecticut clinical social work license

At this point, you can begin practicing clinical social work under the regular supervision of an independently licensed provider such as an LCSW, psychologist, or physician. To be eligible, you must hold an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program or a doctoral degree in social work and must also complete 3, hours of post-degree supervised experience.

Once you hold a qualifying degree, you can follow the steps below to earn an LCSW license in Connecticut. Before you can submit an LCSW application, you will first need to acquire 3, hours of supervised, post-degree experience in clinical social work.

During the time that you are accruing this experience, you must be supervised by an LCSW and at least of your total required hours must be spent in face-to-face supervision. After you have completed 3, hours of supervised clinical social work experience, the next step is to submit the online application. You will need to mail supplemental documentation to the Department, including the Verification of Employment and Verification of Supervision forms.

Once you have completed the exam, scores will automatically be transferred to the Department. You must wait until you have been given a license number before beginning to practice clinical social work independently. The Department offers social work licensure by endorsement for individuals who hold a social work license in good standing in another state. To be eligible, you must hold a license that was earned by meeting equivalent standards to those required in Connecticut.

If you are applying for an LCSW license but did not complete 3, hours of supervised clinical social work experience, you may be able to substitute three years of independent clinical social work experience in lieu of this requirement. To apply for licensure by endorsement, complete an online application and provide any supplemental documentation required, including verification of your current license and your past ASWB exam scores. Connecticut social work licenses are renewed annually.

Students learn about social work values and ethics and develop the knowledge and skills needed to understand culturally diverse populations. A basic understanding of social justice and human rights plays a major role in the bachelor's-level social work program. After graduation, students work in the community as case workers to help clients get the services they need.

The master's degree in social work explores the principles and ethics taught at the bachelor's level, only it allows students to select specializations in subjects like mental health, children and families, or social justice.

The program takes one to two years to complete and includes clinical training. At this level, instructors expect students to recognize certain medical conditions and help specialists diagnose clients.

During clinical training, students work in healthcare and educational facilities to help employees with clients. They work directly with clients to understand their issues, and many go on to work as program organizers.

Clinical social workers and program instructors monitor field education assignments. For social workers with a master's degree and years of client experience, a doctoral degree in social work may count as the next step. Students can choose a doctoral program that focuses on research and academia or one that emphasizes clinical practice. Students develop the leadership skills needed to lead research assignments or a clinical practice. Candidates investigate the fundamental theories of social work and their significance in the development of modern-day programs and initiatives.

Many of these graduates decide to work in public policy as advocates or researchers. To take the ASWB master's-level exam, applicants do not need any hours of clinical training. However, the ASWB clinical exam requires at least 3, hours of clinical practice. For both licenses, students pay an application and renewal fee. The road to licensure includes completing a master's degree and clinical training, which combined can take six to eight years.

To receive a physical license to practice, applicants must submit personal documents that take months to process. The state will only allow applicants to take the exam after it confirms the applicant's eligibility. After the applicant passes the exam, it takes up to three weeks to receive their physical license. During this time, the applicant receives a day permit to practice. If the applicant does not pass the exam, the state revokes the permit. To practice clinical work in Connecticut, out-of-state candidates need clinical licensure or a master of social work in the state from which they come.

The commissioner of the board reviews these cases and issues licenses at his discretion. Connecticut does not opt into any state reciprocity agreements. The Commissioner of Public Health may order a license holder to submit to a reasonable physical or mental examination if his physical or mental capacity to practice safely is the subject of an investigation.

Said commissioner may petition the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford to enforce such order or any action taken pursuant to said section 19a Notice of any contemplated action under said section 19a, of the cause therefor and the date of hearing thereon, shall be given and an opportunity for hearing afforded as provided in the regulations adopted by the commissioner.

On and after October 1, , the state shall specify on any job posting for a title in the social work series of classified service, in which a license pursuant to this chapter is not required, that a preferred qualification for employment in such title is completion of a baccalaureate or master's degree in social work from a social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education or a doctoral degree in social work.

History: May Sp. Nothing in sections to q, inclusive, shall prevent any person employed by the state prior to October 1, , with a title in the social work series of the classified service from using a title in such series to describe or perform his duties in the course of his employment with the state.

Scope of practice. A licensed master social worker may not engage in independent practice. A licensed clinical social worker may perform all functions of a licensed master social worker and, in addition, may engage in independent practice. The department may issue a temporary permit to an applicant for licensure as a master social worker who holds a master's degree from a social work educational program, as described in section n, but who has not yet taken the licensure examination prescribed in said section n.

Such temporary permit shall authorize the holder to practice as a master social worker as provided for in section s. Such temporary permit shall be valid for a period not to exceed one hundred twenty calendar days after the date of attaining such master's degree and shall not be renewable.

Such permit shall become void and shall not be reissued in the event that the applicant fails to pass such examination. The fee for a temporary permit shall be fifty dollars.

Such continuing education shall consist of courses, workshops and conferences offered or approved by the Association of Social Work Boards, the National Association of Social Workers or a school or department of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. A licensee's ability to engage in on-line and home study continuing education shall be limited to not more than six hours per registration period.