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?
    • Affordable Online MSW Programs
  • 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
    • Forensic (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 Rhode Island

Social Work Licensure in Rhode Island

Rhode Island licenses clinical social workers. One has to hold a state license to practice clinical social work or use any of the protected titles referenced in state code, though some exemptions are noted.

Sponsored School(s)
Featured Programs:
  • Arizona State University - Online 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
  • Grand Canyon University offers Online Social Work Degrees. Choose between Bachelors of Social Work, Master of Social Work, Master of Social Work (Advanced Standing). Visit School's Website
  • Syracuse University offers an Online Masters of Social Work Program. The Program has Advance Standing Available, Two Concentrations, and Social Justice Curriculum. Visit School's Website
  • Walden University offers Master of Social Work (MSW) - Advanced Standing (requires BSW). Visit School's Website
  • 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
  • George Mason University - Throughout Mason’s online MSW program, you’ll build knowledge for evidence-based practice in classes led by practicing social workers.  Visit School's Website

Clinical social work is a graduate level profession. There are two levels of licensure: Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. In Rhode Island, unlike many other states, the title Licensed Clinical Social Worker is used for the lower of the two licenses. A person can achieve the LCSW after meeting education and experience requirements. The LCSW will achieve LICSW status after completing additional supervised work experience.

Social Work Educational Foundations

In Rhode Island, social workers can be licensed on the basis of master’s or doctoral degrees. Master’s degrees are to be accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (Master’s of Social Work programs in Rhode Island). Doctoral degrees are to be housed in accredited colleges or universities. (This level of education is outside CSWE focus.)

Examination Requirements

Rhode Island utilizes examinations administered by the Association of Social Work Boards. The candidate will take an examination for the first time at the LCSW level. At this stage, the masters level ASWB exam is the standard; it may be referenced as the intermediate level exam in older documents. The individual can receive examination permission by submitting a license application. Once permission has been granted, the candidate will register with the ASWB and pay fees. The current dee is $230 at the masters level. Examinations are available by appointment at sites around the nation.

The ASWB clinical exam is required for licensing at the LICSW level. Procedures are similar. The fee is slightly higher: $260.

Rhode Island allows three examination attempts without imposing additional requirements; until this time, re-examination is subject only to wait times imposed by the ASWB. A candidate who must retake an examination is required to pay an examination fee each time. After three failures, a candidate would be required to appear before the Board.

Supervised Experience Requirements for Independent Clinical Licensing

In order to progress to the LICSW level, a social worker needs at least 24 months of qualifying experience. He or she will need to accrue at least 3,000 post-master experience hours. Rhode Island mandates that at least 1,500 hours be spent in the direct provision of clinical social work services. Supervised experience requirements are to be met within a six year period.

At least 75% of the supervision hours are to be individual.

Supervision is to conform to the following minimum standards:

  • An hour of supervision for every 20 direct client contact hours
  • Two hours of supervision every two weeks

Additional Licensing Requirements

State regulations also mandate good character. Licensure will be denied on the basis of past felony conviction or disciplinary sanction by another state board unless a waiver is granted. In order to be granted a waiver, an individual needs to provide satisfactory evidence that he or she would practice in a manner that upheld public safety.

The minimum age for licensure is 21.

FIND SCHOOLS
Sponsored Content

Endorsement of Out-of-State Social Workers

Applicants must provide verification from all states where they have held licensing. If the license verification includes ASWB test scores, these can be accepted. Otherwise, the applicant will contact the ASWB for official score verification.

Current out-of-state licensees can be endorsed into Rhode Island if they hold comparable licenses and have met substantially equivalent requirements.

The Application Process

Applications can be found on the website of the Rhode Island Department of Health (http://health.ri.gov/licenses/detail.php?id=245#).

Applicants are to include a fee of $70.

They will need to document citizenship or lawful residency.

The licensing agency will need two professional references. Reference forms can be found in the application packet. The licensing agency can accept them from the applicant if they are presented as described in the application packet in sealed, signed envelopes.

A practice form is due at the LICSW level. A supervisee who had more than one supervisor will need one from each.

The applicant will attach a small photograph to the application and have the form notarized.

Materials are to be submitted at least 30 days in advance of a Board meeting,

The licensing agency notes that an applicant should allow at least four to six weeks for the licensure process to be completed. It may take significantly longer if there is criminal history or other adverse history to review.

Currently, licenses expire on odd-numbered years. Social workers attest to having met a continuing education requirement.

Baccalaureate Level Social Work Practice

Although Rhode Island does not license social workers below the master’s level, bachelor’s level social workers are trained and employed within the state. They are allowed to carry out a number of social work functions that are not considered to be clinical practice; these are summarized briefly in state code.

Additional Information

Information is available from the Rhode Island Department of Health (http://health.ri.gov/licenses/detail.php?id=245). Individuals with question about the licensing process can call (401) 222-2828.

Procedures are subject to change.

FIND SCHOOLS
Sponsored Content

FIND SCHOOLS
1
2
3
4
Sponsored Content

Program Resources

Affordable Online CSWE Accredited MSW Programs

Top 25 Online MSW Programs for 2025

Best of the Blog

The Ultimate PTSD Resource Guide (Free Tools, Hotlines, and Support Groups)

PTSD is a mental health condition caused by trauma that can make it harder for you to function … read more

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

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 DC
  • MSW Programs in West Virginia
  • MSW Programs in Wisconsin
  • MSW Programs in Wyoming
e p>Copyright © 2013-2025 · MSWGuide.org · About Us · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use