Frequently Asked Questions on Social Work Associate
Licensure in Washington State
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.
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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),
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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.
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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.
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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.
Department of Health Social Work Licensure Fee Schedule
WAC 246-840-990 Fees. The following fees shall be
charged by the health professions quality assurance
division, department of health:
Type of Non-Refundable Fee
Fee
Amount
Advanced Social Worker /
Independent Clinical Social Worker
Application
Initial License
Renewal
Late Renewal Penalty
Expired Reissuance
Duplicate License
Verification of Credential
$150.00
$125.00
For a total
of $275.00
$130.00
$52.50
$72.50
$10.00
$10.00
Advanced Social Worker Associate /
Independent Clinical Social Worker
Associate
Application
Renewal
Late Renewal
Expired Reissuance
Duplicate Certificate
Certification Letter
$50.00
$40.00
$40.00
$40.00
$15.00
$15.00