Baylor University School of Social Work Office of Career Services

Baylor University School of Social Work Office of Career Services

Social Work Licensing Basics Texas Licensure Process and Timeline Texas Exam Details Format Content Study Resources Licensure Outside of Texas After Licensure CEUs Renewal Career Resources Baylor University BU School of Social Work

The purpose of licensing and certification in social work is to assist the public through identification of standards for the safe professional practice of social work. Each jurisdiction defines by law what is required for each level of social work licensure. Typically, there are four categories of practice that jurisdictions may legally regulate. Bachelors: Baccalaureate social work degree upon graduation; Masters: Master's degree in social work (MSW) with no post-degree experience; Advanced Generalist: MSW with two years post-master's supervised experience; and Clinical: MSW with two years post-master's direct clinical social work experience. Within the profession it is important to note that there are additional designations and certifications available to practitioners. For more information regarding these designations consult with your state licensing board and NASW. http://www.aswb.org

Step 1: Complete Application Packet Download here: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/socialwork/sw forms.shtm Step 2: Take Jurisprudence Exam Online ( 40.00) http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/socialwork/sw Jurisprudence.shtm Step 3: Submit Application (see link above) Fee ( 91.00) Necessary documentation of qualifications Letter from Dean Garland (submitted by the School the first week of your final semester a copy of which is also placed in your folder in the student lounge) Official Transcript (requested from Academic records upon graduation) Jurisprudence Exam: submit proof of completion – Examination Security Information Form http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/socialwork/sw lbsw-lmsw.shtm – Testing Accommodations – For more information please visit http://www.aswb.org/SWLE/disabilityacc.asp – – – Approval (approx. 3-4 weeks from submission) to sit for the examination is communicated to ASWB and the applicant in writing when all qualifying information has been received and approved by the Board.

Step 4: Register with the Association of SW Boards (ASWB) – Online: www.aswb.org/exam reg.shtml – Or by phone: 1.888.579.3926 – Exam Registration Fee: 175.00 ASWB will send an authorization letter to applicants that includes an authorization # , list of approved testing sites and contact info. Additional Resources available @ www.aswb.org – Frequently asked questions – Candidate handbook – Sample Exam questions Step 5: Schedule Test (Site and date) Step 6: Exam – Bring ASWB authorization letter – Government issued photo ID – You will receive notice of your score immediately upon completion of the exam Once ASWB receives your passing score from the exam site you will receive your certificate, 2 copies of your license card (approx. 14 days), and renewal information by mail. Complete process takes approximately 3 months.

170 multiple choice questions 150 questions are scored; 20 questions are pretest items being monitored for possible inclusion in future exams Exam takers will have 4 hours to take the exam Exam taken on computer terminals at various locations (list sent to you once you qualify to take the exam) If special accommodations are needed to take the exam, the candidate may request them using the form in the candidate handbook. A score of 70 or better is passing http://www.aswb.org/pdfs/handbook.pdf

BSW I. Human Development & Behavior in the Environment--14% II. Issues of Diversity--7% III. Assessment in Social Work Practice--20% IV. Direct and Indirect Practice--21% V. Communication--10% VI. Professional Relationships--5% VII. Professional Values and Ethics--13% VIII. Supervision in Social Work--2% IX. Practice Evaluation and the Utilization of Research--2% X. Service Delivery--5% XI. Social Work Administration--1% MSW Human Development and Behavior in the Environment--18% II. Diversity and Social/Economic Justice--7% III. Assessment, Diagnosis & Intervention Planning--11% IV. Direct & Indirect Practice--22% V. Communication--7% VI. Professional Relationships--5% VII. Professional Values and Ethics--11% VIII. Supervision, Administration and Policy--8% IX. Practice Evaluation and the Utilization of Research--2% X. Service Delivery--9% I. For more details visit: http://www.aswb.org/SWLE/examoutlines.asp

Bachelors Examination The primary purpose of a service plan is to: (A) establish goals (B) assess the home situation (C) monitor behavioral changes (D) evaluate client progress Masters Examination A client who has received services for several years in a dialysis unit appears for a routine visit. The nurse notices a markedly changed affect and refers the client to the dialysis unit social worker. When seeing the social worker, the client seems detached, self-absorbed, and tearful. The social worker should FIRST assess the client's: (A) life situation and any recent changes (B) compliance with medical care (C) concerns about dying (D) feelings about dialysis Key to Sample Question: Bachelors: A Masters: A http://www.aswb.org/SWLE/studyguides.asp

Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) http://www.aswb.org/SWLE/studyguides.asp Study Guide with 50 sample questions - 30 ASWB online practice tests - 75 Must be registered to take the exam LEAP – Licensing Exam Preparation Services, LLC www.licensingprep.com Bachelors Study Guides Audio Course (6 CD set) Masters 90 149 110 149 UTA Exam Preparation Course Visit online: http://www2.uta.edu/ssw/pd/A MASTER DOCS/listed by category.htm BSW: 95 MSW: 151 SWES (Social Work Examination Services) t Online Resources www.swes.net Testing Module coming soon (February 2010) to the SSW student computer lab

Find a Licensing Board (state by state) https://www.datapathdesign.com/ASWB/Laws/Prod/cgi-bin/LawBoardWebsiteDLL.dl l/EXEC/0/18v1m0i15v3hul10irs9o196xssf Social Work Statutes and Regulations http://www.aswb.org/SWL/statutesregulations.asp Social Work Laws and Regulations https://www.datapathdesign.com/ASWB/Laws/Prod/cgi-bin/LawWebRpts2DLL.dll/EX EC/0/0oyvwru0yvwb0d1dd1owl0i7h096

Texas Renewal social worker's license expires every two years in the month of licensee’s birth Requirement info available online: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/socialwork/sw renew.shtm Continuing Education http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/socialwork/sw ceinfo.shtm Outside of Texas Renewal Requirement info available online: https://www.datapathdesign.com/ASWB/Laws/Prod/cgi-bin/LawWebRpts2DLL.dll/ EXEC/0/1yw0ww20xxae0x1am4j9z0nk9aft Continuing Education http://www.aswb.org/SWL/conteducation.asp Database: https://www.datapathdesign.com/ASWB/Laws/Prod/cgi-bin/LawWebRpts2DLL.dll/ EXEC/1/1xfhoke105ml96127khs20sjuyh5

Baylor Career Services Website: http://www.baylor.edu/careerservices/ SW Advisor Contact: Kat Weaver (254.710.8521) Workshops Résumé writing Job search strategies Interviewing skills Résumé /cover letter critiques Mock interviews Job fairs Interview tips and sample questions Guide to job hunting

School of Social Work Career Services Job Hunting Handbook Alumni Network contacts Website: http://www.baylor.edu/social work/index.php? id 39461 Job Database: http://www.baylor.edu/social work/index.php? id 43584

Baylor School of Social Work Career Services Contact: Tracey Kelley Location: Speight Parking Plaza Office 102 Phone: 254.710.4479 Email: Tracey [email protected]

Cost of SW Licensing: 306 Teacher: approximately 275 Bar Exam: 490 if Texas law student 605 if out-of-state law student Nursing exam: 139

Association of Social Work Boards. (2009). Social Work Licensing Exams. Retrieved April 29, 2009, from http://www.aswb.org/ Texas Department of State Health Services. (2009). Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners. Retrieved April 29, 2009, from http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/socialwork/