Social Workers – Applying for a license FAQ’s

The applicant must have a bachelor’s degree in social work that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). CSWE has a directory of accredited programs on its website.

The applicant must have a master’s degree in social work that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) or a doctoral degree in social work from an accredited university. CSWE has a directory of accredited programs on its website .

The applicant must have a master’s degree in social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) or a doctoral degree in social work from an accredited university. CSWE has a directory of accredited programs on its website .

Transcripts must come directly from the university, not the applicant. Electronic transcripts should be sent to transcripts@bhec.texas.gov . Hardcopy transcripts should be mailed to: BHEC SW Transcripts, 1801 Congress Ave., Ste. 7.300, Austin, Texas 78701

The applicant must pass the ASWB Bachelor Exam. Texas allows a student in a qualifying program to sit for the ASWB Bachelor Exam while still in school. See the SW Board’s ASWB Licensure Examinations webpage. If you need help with pre-exam eligibility or the Texas-specific exam registration process, please contact ASWB staff at texas@aswb.org. After passing the ASWB Bachelor Exam, see the SW Board’s Applying for a License webpage. Applicants must also complete the Texas SW jurisprudence exam.

The applicant must pass the ASWB Master Exam. Texas allows a student in a qualifying program to sit for the ASWB Master Exam while still in school. See the SW Board’s ASWB Licensure Examinations webpage. If you need help with pre-exam eligibility or the Texas-specific exam registration process, please contact ASWB staff at texas@aswb.org. Texas does not accept ASWB Advanced Generalist or ASWB Clinical exams in lieu of ASWB Master Exam. After passing the ASWB Master Exam, see the SW Board’s Applying for a License webpage. Applicants must also complete the Texas SW jurisprudence exam.

After completing the supervised experience requirements, the LMSW applies to take ASWB’s Clinical Exam; follow the instructions on the SW Board’s ASWB Licensure Examinations webpage. If you need help with pre-exam eligibility or the Texas-specific exam registration process, please contact ASWB staff at texas@aswb.org. Texas does not accept the ASWB Advanced Generalist Exam in lieu of the ASWB Clinical Exam. See the SW Board’s ASWB Licensure Examinations webpage. If you need help with pre-exam eligibility or the Texas-specific exam registration process, please contact ASWB staff at texas@aswb.org. After passing the ASWB Clinical Exam, see the SW Board’s Applying for a License webpage. Applicants must also complete the Texas SW jurisprudence exam.

Please know: the exam is designed for consistent results, unless the examinee takes steps to increase knowledge between attempts. Test-takers are encouraged to complete one or more courses in their weakest area(s) as well as an exam preparatory course before an attempt or between subsequent attempts. • Also, ASWSB recognizes the mental and emotional toll of repeated attempts and has contracted with Fifth Theory, an independent firm with expertise in helping test-takers reduce anxiety and develop test mastery mindset. This FREE program is offered to those who have been unsuccessful in passing the exam. See https://www.aswb.org/mindset-resources-to-be-offered-to-all-aswb-test-takers/ for more information. • In addition, ASWB-Examination-Guidebook.pdf includes a template for creating an individualized study plan, lists of general references and references specific to each content area, and other helpful information. NOTE: The Guidebook states you must have board-approval to sit for the exam. That is NOT true for Texas. Texas partners with ASWB such that ASWB staff do all pre-exam approval processing. If you need help, please contact ASWB staff who are familiar with Texas-specific process at texas@aswb.org. • If you are still in school (or perhaps studying with a group of alumni and faculty member), ASWB has Resources for Educators at https://www.aswb.ohttps://www.aswb.org/exam/getting-ready-for-the-exam/exam-materials-for-faculty/rg/exam/getting-ready-for-the-exam/exam-materials-for-faculty/. Resources for Educators may also be used by a Supervisor to assist supervisees preparing for ASWB exam. • ASWB recently announced a new resource: ASWB Nonstandard Testing Arrangements Handbook helps you understand the options available to test-takers who may need accommodation because of documented disability, health condition, or English as a second language. If you need help, please contact ASWB staff who are familiar with Texas-specific process at texas@aswb.org.

Some years ago, the Texas Legislature repealed statutory authority for the Alternate Method of Examining Competency (AMEC) program, which did allow those seeking LBSW or LMSW licensure, who failed the ASWB exam within a few points, to participate in year-long supervised program as an alternative to passing the ASWB national exam. Since the repeal of the statutory authority, staff may no longer offer or administer the AMEC program. At this time, the only path to Texas licensure is to pass the appropriate ASWB exam.

If you register for the exam using the SW Board’s online, Texas-specific exam registration via the link on the SW Board’s ASWB Licensure Examinations webpage, ASWB staff will automatically release your score to Texas staff. If you took the exam for another state’s licensing authority you will need to contact ASWB to have the scores transferred to Texas. For more information please visit ASWB’s webpage

There is no limit to the number of times you may attempt the ASWB exam. Rules that required approval from the SW Board after three attempts no longer apply to ASWB exams. All applicants are required to complete the Jurisprudence Exam. How do I take the Jurisprudence Exam? All applicants must complete the Texas SW jurisprudence exam no more than 6 months before submitting an application. The Texas SW jurisprudence exam is administered online by eStrategy Solutions, a third-party vendor. To register visit our Jurisprudence Exam webpage. Applicants should contact eStrategy to register, schedule or reschedule the exam, request a copy of their certificate, or resolve any payment issues. If you need technical assistance related to the jurisprudence exam, click the “Need help?” link under the “Login” button on the Jurisprudence Examination webpage.

A list of active supervisors is available on the BHEC website.

The applicant for Texas Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) must complete at least 3,000 hours of supervised social work practice under a Texas LCSW Supervisor (LCSW-S) with at least 100 hours of supervisory sessions over no less than 24 full months. See more details on the SW Board’s Applying for a License webpage.

Your LCSW Supervisor should complete a Clinical Supervision Verification Form for LCSW, available on SW Board’s Forms and Publications webpage.

Current rules do not impose a limit on the number of LCSW-Supervisors an LMSW may have at the same time.

Supervision for an LMSW shall occur in proportion to the number of actual hours worked. Over a 24-month period, working at least 30 hours per week, with one hour of supervisory session per week, the LMSW would accrue approximately 104 supervision hours: 1hour/week x 52 weeks/year x 2 years = 104 supervision hours). If the LMSW is working less than 30 hours per week, the supervisor may adjust the frequency or duration of the supervisory sessions to assure the LMSW has accrued the required 100 hours of supervisory sessions about the same time 3,000 hours are earned. A supervisor and supervisee may, but are not required to, meet beyond the required hours. No more than 10 hours of supervision may be counted in any one month, or 30-day period.

Yes, an LMSW can request a copy of their file. Supervisors should maintain accurate records and provide copies when asked.

A list of active supervisors is available on the BHEC website. NOTE: An LBSW accruing hours toward LBSW-IPR may be supervised by an LBSW-IPR-S, an LMSW-IPR-S, an LMSW-AP-S, or an LCSW-S. An LMSW accruing hours toward LMSW-IPR may be supervised by an LMSW-IPR-S, an LMSW-AP-S, or an LCSW-S.

Your supervisor should complete a Non-clinical Verification Form for IPR, available on SW Board’s Forms and Publications webpage.

Current rules do not impose a limit on the number of supervisors an LBSW or an LMSW working toward IPR may have at the same time.

Supervision shall occur in proportion to the number of actual hours worked. Over a 24-month period, working at least 30 hours per week, with one hour of supervisory session per week, the supervisee would accrue approximately 104 supervision hours: 1hour/week x 52 weeks/year x 2 years = 104 supervision hours). If the supervisee is working less than 30 hours per week, the supervisor may adjust the frequency or duration of the supervisory sessions to assure the LMSW has accrued the required 100 hours of supervisory sessions about the same time 3,000 hours are earned. A supervisor and supervisee may, but are not required to, meet beyond the required hours. No more than 10 hours of supervision may be counted in any one month, or 30-day period.

Yes, a supervisee can request a copy of their file. Supervisors should maintain accurate records and provide copies when asked.

No. Texas does not have reciprocity with any other jurisdiction. All applicants must meet all licensure requirements to be eligible for a Texas social work license.

Before any attempt at ASWB exam, an applicant for LBSW or LMSW may obtain a temporary social work license as long as the applicant meets all the requirements, except the licensing examination, for the license category the applicant seeks. The temporary license is valid for six month or until the licensee attempts the appropriate ASWB exam, whichever occurs first.

No. Applicants must meet all licensure requirements to be eligible for Texas licensure.

Former licensees may apply for reinstatement of a license after meeting all requirements and paying the reinstatement fee. Carefully review Council Rule §882.22 Reinstatement of a License. Gather the items listed in the Reinstatement Required Documentation Checklist from the MFT Board’s Forms and Publications webpage. Then, follow the step-by-step instructions in How to Request Reinstatement of an Expired/Retired/Revoked/etc. License on the Council’s How To User Guides webpage.

Inactive status maintains your license with the Council, but by placing it in “inactive” status you are no longer eligible to practice unless/until you request to return to active status. See How To Request Inactive Status and How To Reactivate Inactive Status on the Council’s How To User Guides webpage.

No. Licensees with inactive status are not required to complete continuing education.

A retired license is no longer considered a current, renewable license. Someone with a retired license wishing to practice again would be required to reinstate their license. See How To Request “Retired” Status on the Council’s How To User Guides webpage.

A fee table is available in Council Rule 885.1.

License applications expire and are automatically denied if incomplete after 180 days. Staff cannot extend the time of an application. Applicants whose application expires will be required to re-submit their application and pay the application fee again.

Yes, if possible it is recommended that you submit all required documents together. Sending materials separately or in multiple parts may delay the processing of your application. To avoid unnecessary delays, please ensure your application is complete before submission.

Visit https://www.npdb.hrsa.gov/pract/selfQueryBasics.jsp for instructions on how to obtain a Self-Query Report from the National Practitioner DataBank (NPDB). • The NPDB may email to you a certified self-query report. DO NOT ALTER THIS PDF FILE. You may upload the certified report when you complete your online application for license or you may forward the emailed, certified NPDB self-query report to NPDB@bhec.texas.gov. • If you prefer, NPDB will mail the self-query report to you. You may mail the NPDB self-query report to the Texas LPC Board as long as it is still in the unopened envelope sealed by NPDB. Mail to BHEC NPDB, 1801 Congress Ave., Ste. 7.300, Austin, Texas 78701.

Complete Part I of the appropriate board’s Verification form found on each board’s Forms and Publications webpage. Then send the form to the non-Texas licensing agency that issued your license to complete the remaining information. A separate form must be received for each license you currently hold or have ever held in the past. Some state agencies generate their own form. Council staff may consider the data on the state-agency-generated form. However, if necessary data is not included on the state-agency-generated form, staff may ask the applicant for additional information/documentation. Some state agencies no longer issue any type of license verification, but rather provide an online primary source verification. If that’s the case for one or more of the licenses you hold, please note that in your online application contact staff after your application has been submitted. If another state’s online license verification does not include all the data needed, staff may ask the applicant for additional information/documentation.

Upon submission of your online application, the online licensing system will send you a confirmation email. Within the confirmation email is a link to instructions for completing the fingerprint process. See more details on our Fingerprint Information webpage.

Yes. There are various waivers and advantages provided for active-duty military, veterans and military spouses. For more information see the Council’s Military Service Members, Veterans, and Military Spouses webpage.