MSWGuide.org

Menu ☰
  • Home
  • Schools By State
    • All-Star Rankings: MSW Programs
    • Advanced Standing MSW Programs
    • Clinical MSW Programs
    • Online MSW Programs
    • Master of Science in Social Administration
    • Researching & Applying to MSW Programs
    • MSW vs MSSW | What’s The Difference?
  • Field Education
  • Careers
    • Online Therapy Platforms: They are Not All the Same
    • Social Work Career Insight from Janina Kwilos, MSW, LCSW
    • Child and Family Social Work
    • Criminal Justice Social Work
    • Medical Social Work
    • Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Work
    • Military Social Work
    • School Social Work
  • Licensure By State
    • Study Tips for the Social Work Licensing Exam
  • Blog
You are here: Home / Social Work Licensure in Oregon

Social Work Licensure in Oregon

Oregon issues four social work credentials. Licensing is mandatory for social workers who practice clinical social work. The licensing agency describes other social work licenses as voluntary but also notes that they are a title protection – not just anyone can call himself or herself a social worker.

Sponsored School(s)
Featured Programs:
  • University of Kentucky offers its Online Master of Social Work: Advanced Standing Program available. MSW program includes options for an advanced-standing program (30 credits) and a 60-credit regular standing program. Visit School's Website
  • Arizona State University offers the respected CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work online. ASU Online knows today’s MSW students need remote learning options with no compromises. That’s why you’ll find the same professors, field work requirements, and internship placement assistance that ASU provides on campus. Visit School's Website
  • Baylor University Master of Social Work - Bachelor's holders can prepare for social work licensure with Baylor's CSWE-accredited MSW program online. Complete in as few as 12-16 months. No GRE required. Visit School's Website
  • Fordham's top-ranked Graduate School of Social Service Online Master of Social Work - Top-25 ranked online MSW offers both Traditional and Advanced standing programs. Both CSWE-accredited programs allow you to earn your degree full-time or part-time. Visit School's Website
  • USC University of Southern California Online MSW - With options for both online and in-person field placement, USC's CSWE-accredited MSW program allows those with a BSW to earn their degree in as few as 12 months. Visit School's Website
  • Capella University's CSWE accredited online Master of Social Work program helps prepare students to enter the general or clinical practice role. An Advanced Standing MSW option is available. Capella also offers an online Doctor of Social Work. Click Here to contact Capella University about their Master of Social Work program or Doctor of Social Work program.
  • Our Lady of the Lake University offers its Online BSW and MSW: No GRE or GMAT is required for admission. Advanced Standing available. Visit School's Website
  • Ohio University - America’s most vulnerable citizens lack equitable access to critical social services. But with an online Master of Social Work, you’ll help implement meaningful solutions that deliver care to underserved communities in both rural areas and big cities. Visit School's Website

Oregon credentials are as follows: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) is for the practice of clinical social work (Master’s in Clinical Social Work). The LCSW license carries a supervised practice requirement as well as education and examination requirements. Clinical Social Work Associate (CSWA) is the credential that prospective LCSWs will hold while they are meeting their supervised practice requirements. Licensed Master’s Social Worker (LMSW) is for master’s level social workers who practice nonclinical social work. Registered Baccalaureate Social Worker (RBSW) is for bachelor’s social workers; it is the only state credential available to those with education below the master’s level. LMSW and RBSW credentials are awarded on the basis of education and examination.

Applicants at all levels must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Board that they are fit to practice social work.

Foundational Requirements: Social Work Education and Examination

A prospective social worker will need to earn an accredited social work degree. Degree programs are to be accredited by the Council on Social Work Education or the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (Master’s of Social Work programs in Oregon). International education can also be accepted if it is found equivalent by the CSWE International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service.

Oregon licensure candidates take a national licensing exam and also a test of state laws and rules.

All licensing examinations are offered under the banner of the Association of Social Work Boards. Oregon candidates take the examination that is intended for the level of practice they seek: clinical, advanced generalist, masters, or bachelors. (Titles vary from one state to the next. Advanced generalist is the exam associated with the Oregon LMSW license while the masters exam is for CSWA practice.)

In the case of credentials that do not carry a supervised practice requirement, the application also serves as the request for examination permission. A person who is working toward LCSW becomes eligible to take the ASWB clinical exam after accruing 75 supervision hours. The candidate will submit a request for examination.

The Oregon Jurisprudence Examination assesses knowledge of statutes and rules. It is open book; the candidate will need to submit it to the licensing agency for scoring. Statutes and rules do change occasionally. The licensing agency notes that in the event that there are changes before licensure, a second jurisprudence exam may be required.

FIND SCHOOLS
Sponsored Content

Supervised Practice for LCSW Licensure

The CSWA will work in an agency setting as defined by state code; this allows for a wide range of options. Oregon mandates 3,500 hours of total experience with at least 2,000 hours consisting of direct contact with people who are receiving services.

Oregon requires a minimum 100 hours of supervision. At least 50 of the supervision hours are to be individual. In some cases, the CSWA will have separate supervisors for individual and group supervision. In almost all cases, clinical supervision is to be provided by an LCSW. The Board may approve supervision by another mental health professional in cases where the supervisee lives very far from the nearest LCSW.

The CSWA will meet with his or her supervisor at least bimonthly until such time as requirements for supervision hours have been completed.

The social worker will need a plan of supervision in place before beginning. The plan can be revised during the course of the supervision period but the individual will need to submit a plan modification form.

The Application Process

Application forms are available for download from the website of the Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers (http://www.oregon.gov/blsw/Pages/forms.aspx).

Education is to be documented through an official transcript sent directly from the school (or from the ASWB Registry if the individual has opted to use this service). Schools may opt for electronic transmission using the email address found in the application section of the Board website.

Oregon requires applicants to verify all licenses, even if they are in a field other than social work.

The application fee is $50 at the RSW or LMSW level, $150 at the CSWA or LCSW level. Background checks and licensing incur additional fees. The total paid to the licensing agency will range from $150 for an RSW applicant to $460 for an individual who applies for the first time at the LCSW level.

Approved examination candidates register with the ASWB, then schedule their own exams through Pearson VUE. Fees run $230 to $260. Examination scores are received directly by the Oregon Board.

A candidate who first submits a license at the CSWA level does not need to submit a new one at the LCSW level; the license can be issued when all requirements have been met and documentation has been received by the Board.

Oregon mandates fingerprint-based national criminal background checks. Fieldprint Oregon is the state’s Live Scan vendor. Applicants can register online. The necessary code can be found in the application section of the Board website (http://www.oregon.gov/blsw/Pages/cswa.aspx#How_to_Apply).

Renewal is annual for clinical social work licenses and certificates, biennial for nonclinical credentials.

Out-of-State Social Workers

Out-of-state credential holders can be credentialed in Oregon if they meet educational and professional fitness requirements and have otherwise met standards at least substantially equivalent to those of Oregon. They will need to meet the Oregon jurisprudence requirement.

Clinical social workers from out of state may be authorized to work at the CSWA level until such time as they have met all LCSW requirements.

The Board reports in its FAQ that hours accrued in another state under a status equivalent to the Oregon CSWA almost always transfer. However, certain basic standards do need to be met.

Additional Information

The Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers (http://www.oregon.gov/blsw/Pages/index.aspx) can be reached at 503-378-5735.

The Oregon Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers has provided additional resources, including a supervision directory (http://nasworegon.org).

FIND SCHOOLS
Sponsored Content

FIND SCHOOLS
1
2
3
4
Sponsored Content

Best of the Blog

Realistic Workouts & Stretches for Busy Students & Professionals

By: Jane Shersher, LSW & Founder of Counselors Autonomous, A Program within Ava Today Quick … read more

Sleep Hygiene | The Irregular Schedule of a Student

By: Jane Shersher, LSW & Founder of Ava Today Sleep Hygiene Sleep is not just about … read more

Saving Time and Being Productive Throughout Your Day

By: Jane Shersher, LSW & Founder of Ava Today Tips on How to Save Time Throughout Your … read more

Program Directory

  • MSW Programs in Alabama
  • MSW Programs in Alaska
  • MSW Programs in Arizona
  • MSW Programs in Arkansas
  • MSW Programs in California
  • MSW Programs in Colorado
  • MSW Programs in Connecticut
  • MSW Programs in Delaware
  • MSW Programs in Florida
  • MSW Programs in Georgia
  • MSW Programs in Hawaii
  • MSW Programs in Idaho
  • MSW Programs in Illinois
  • MSW Programs in Indiana
  • MSW Programs in Iowa
  • MSW Programs in Kansas
  • MSW Programs in Kentucky
  • MSW Programs in Louisiana
  • MSW Programs in Maine
  • MSW Programs in Maryland
  • MSW Programs in Massachusetts
  • MSW Programs in Michigan
  • MSW Programs in Minnesota
  • MSW Programs in Mississippi
  • MSW Programs in Missouri
  • MSW Programs in Montana
  • MSW Programs in Nebraska
  • MSW Programs in Nevada
  • MSW Programs in New Hampshire
  • MSW Programs in New Jersey
  • MSW Programs in New Mexico
  • MSW Programs in New York
  • MSW Programs in North Carolina
  • MSW Programs in North Dakota
  • MSW Programs in Ohio
  • MSW Programs in Oklahoma
  • MSW Programs in Oregon
  • MSW Programs in Pennsylvania
  • MSW Programs in Rhode Island
  • MSW Programs in South Carolina
  • MSW Programs in South Dakota
  • MSW Programs in Tennessee
  • MSW Programs in Texas
  • MSW Programs in Utah
  • MSW Programs in Vermont
  • MSW Programs in Virginia
  • MSW Programs in Washington
  • MSW Programs in Washington, D.C.
  • MSW Programs in West Virginia
  • MSW Programs in Wisconsin
  • MSW Programs in Wyoming
Our site does not feature every educational option available on the market. We encourage you to perform your own independent research before making any education decisions. Many listings are from partners who compensate us, which may influence which programs we write about. Learn more about us

Copyright © 2013-2023 · MSWGuide.org · About Us · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use