Social Work Licensure in the U.S.
In the U.S., individuals with an MSW degree are eligible to pursue licensure at the graduate level. They may also pursue advanced (independent) licensure after meeting specific practice and supervision requirements post-MSW.
Each state has unique requirements for social work licensure at the graduate and independent levels. The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) website provides information about social work licensure requirements in each state.
Students should review the licensure requirements for the state in which they plan to practice ahead of time, as some licensure boards require specific courses and/or have specific requirements about field. The WVU MSW program can typically accommodate these requirements, but it is the student's responsibility to research these and inform their advisor or the program director in a timely manner.
Some licensure boards may require that applicants provide copies of their MSW course syllabi. It is recommended that students retain each course syllabus they are given. The SSW may not be able to provide students with copies of prior syllabi after their graduation.
Social work Licensure in West Virginia
The WV Board of Social Work is the entity that manages licensure and administers the licensing exam in WV. Information on all levels of social work licensure in WV is available at the WV Board of Social Work website.
Students with an MSW are eligible to apply for the Level B: LGSW (Licensed Graduate Social Worker) upon graduation. The LGSW requires that students provide an official transcript from WVU stating that their MSW degree has been awarded and that they have passed the WV LGSW License Exam. A Candidate Handbook about the exam can be found at the ASWB Exam webpage.
Students may take the Level B: LGSW License Exam in their last semester before graduation. However, they cannot receive the LGSW until after graduation and an official transcript has been sent to the WV Board of Social Work.
The WV Board of Social Work must pre-approve applicants before they can register to take the exam from the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). This is accomplished by applying for a Temporary License Permit. Information can be found on the Temporary Permit web page of the WV Board of Social Work website.
For students applying to take the exam before graduation, a letter from the school is required documenting that they are in good academic standing and verifying their planned graduation date. The SSW sends a list of these students to the WV Board of Social Work each spring and summer. For students graduating in May, this list is sent after graduation application close (typically in March). For students graduating in August, this list is sent after graduation applications close in July.
Social Work Licensure in Other Countries
Students who plan to practice in another country should explore licensure options for social workers in the region where they plan to practice. If there are specific requirements, they should discuss these with their academic advisor and/or the MSW program director to see if they can be accommodated.