Board of Social Work
Frequently Asked Questions
Supervision
Q: What is acceptable supervision?
A: The regulations state the supervisor providing supervision shall be a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the jurisdiction in which the clinical services are being rendered. The supervisor shall have at least five years post -Master's Social Work clinical experience.
Q: When is it necessary to register supervision?
A: In Virginia, a trainee who plans to work in a private, for profit practice setting (non-exempt) is required by LAW to register with the Board prior to beginning the supervision. A trainee who plans to work in non-profit practice setting (exempt) is not required to register supervision with the Board. However, all trainees must meet the requirements for licensure as stated in the Board's regulations.
Q: Will supervision obtained in another state counts towards licensure in Virginia?
A: Yes, as long as it meets the Board's regulations. Meaning the supervisor must be a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 5 years post MSW clinical experience in the jurisdiction in which the clinical services are being rendered. Individual face-to-face clinical supervision must occur for at least 1 hour per week for the period of supervision (no less than 2 years) for a total of at least 100 hours.
Q: If I am unable to locate my supervisor or if my supervisor is deceased how can I verify my supervision hours?
A: The applicant shall submit to the board a notarized affidavit from the present chief executive officer of the agency, corporation or partnership in which the
applicant was supervised. The affidavit shall specify dates of employment, job responsibilities, supervisor’s
name and last known address, and the total number of hours spent by the applicant with the supervisor in face-to-face supervision,
Or, if the applicant is licensed in another state obtain a copy of the application for their state board and submit the verification of supervision forms from that state board.
Q: Must my supervision be under a Licensed Clinical Social Worker?
A: YES
Licensure
Q: What states have a reciprocal agreement with the Virginia Board of Social Work?
A: Virginia does not have reciprocity with any state.
Q: What information should be maintained on a client and how long must a social worker keep clinical records on a client?
A: The record shall include identifying information to substantiate diagnosis and treatment plan, client progress, and termination.
The clinical record shall be preserved for at least five years post termination.
Q: How do I notify the board office of an address change and/or name change?
A: All address changes must be in written. The request should include name, license number, and social security number, old and new address. The address change may be fax, e-mail, or mail to the board office. The board office fax is (804) 527-4435, e-mail socialwork@dhp.virginia.gov, mailing address, Board of Social Work 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300 , Richmond, Virginia 23233.
All name changes must be accompanied by a marriage license, divorce decree, or court order.
Q: How may I obtain a duplicate copy of my license?
A: To obtain a duplicate copy of your license submit a written request and a $10.00 fee check or money order made payable to the Treasurer of Virginia.
Q: What is the cost to have my license verified to another state?
A: Submit a written request indicating what information you would like verified and the mailing address of the agency along with a $10.00 fee check or money order made payable to the Treasurer of Virginia.
Applications
Q: How often are the licensure applications reviewed?
A: Applications are reviewed once a month. The date of review varies each month.
Q: When is the applicant notified if approval has been granted for licensure or to sit for the exam?
A: The applicant is notified in writing within two weeks of the review date.
Q: What are the examination dates?
A: The exam is given Monday - Friday. Once an applicant has been approved he/she is sent an examination packet with information on how to set a date for the exam. The passing score is 75.
Q: If I’ve taken the required exam in another state how do I have this information transferred to Virginia?
A: You may contact ASWB to request a copy of your scores or your state board may verify this information for you on the Out-of-State verification form.
Q: What levels of the exam does Virginia offer?
A: Virginia offers the clinical level for the Licensed Clinical Social Worker application and the basic level for the Licensed Social Worker application.
Q: Can you obtain approval to sit for the exam before you complete the requirements for licensure?
A: No. Virginia requires that all licensure requirements be completed before approval is granted to sit for the exam.
Q: How quickly is the applicant notified if he/she was successful on the exam?
A: The applicant is notified that day at the testing site.
Q: Once I have taken the exam do I need to contact the board office?
A: No, once you have taken the exam it takes about two to three weeks before the board office receives the official score report. Once the board office has received the official score report the applicant is licensed that day and mailed the license.
Q: If I was unsuccessful on the exam do I need to contact the board office?
A: No, follow the instructions in the Candidate Handbook to sit for the exam again.
Q: After the board office has received the official score report how long does it take to receive the hard copy of the license.
A: Allow 7 to 10 business days to receive the license.
Q: After I have passed the exam may I use the designation LCSW?
A: NO. You must wait until you are issued a license from the board office. Passing the exam does not mean you are licensed.
Q: If I am applying through endorsement must I complete all the forms in the application packet?
A: Yes.
Q: If I am applying through endorsement and I do not have verification of active practice in another jurisdiction for 36 out of the past 60 months am I automatically excluded from licensure in Virginia?
A: No. Explain in a letter why you do not active practice, verify what active practice you have obtain and the Credentials Committee will consider your application for licensure either under the examination requirements or the endorsement requirements. Keep in mind this does not mean you will have to sit for the exam again if you have taken the clinical level examination offered by ASWB.
Q: What education does Virginia require to obtain licensure?
A: Virginia regulations require that the applicant shall hold a
minimum of a master's degree from an accredited school of social work. Graduates
of foreign institutions shall establish the equivalency of their education
to this requirement through the Foreign Equivalency Determination Service
of the Council of Social Work Education.
Further, the degree program shall have included a graduate clinical course
of study; or the applicant shall provide documentation of having completed
specialized experience, course work or training acceptable to the board
as equivalent to a clinical course of study.
Continuing Competency Requirements
Q: How will I know if training is approved?
A: There is no pre-approval process for the continuing competency requirements you must refer to the regulations to determine if a particular training will counts towards the renewal requirements. See Regulation 18VAC140-20-105.
Q: When must I have the required number of continuing competency hours completed in order to renew my license?
A: The requirement must be completed with each renewal of licensure. You will be required to sign a certification on your renewal form that you have met the continuing competency requirements. Falsification on the renewal form is a violation of law and may subject you to disciplinary action.
Q: Am I required to send in evidence of my continuing competency hours at the time I renew?
A: No. The Board will randomly select licensees for a post-renewal audit. If selected, you would be notified by mail that documentation is required and given a time frame within which to comply.
Q: Who maintains the required documents for verification of continuing competency hours?
A: It is the social worker's responsibility to maintain the certificates and any other continuing competency forms or records for five years following renewal. Do not send any forms or documents to the Board of Social Work unless requested to do so.
Q: What are "Category I" hours?
A: Category I hours (at least 20 each biennium) are Formally Organized Learning Activities that can be documented by an approved sponsor or organization. The Board-approved sponsors or organizations are listed in Regulation 18 VAC 140-20-105B. If the sponsoring organization does not award a participant with a dated certificate indicating the activity or course taken and the number of hours earned, the social worker is responsible for obtaining a letter on organizational letterhead verifying the hours and activity. All 30 continuing competency hours each biennium may be Category 1 hours.
Q: What are "Category II" hours?
A: Category II hours (no more than 10 each biennium) are Individual Professional Activities earned in self-study, attending formal staffings, publication of a professional social work-related article or chapter of a book, independent or group study including listening to audio tapes, viewing video tapes, reading, professional books or articles, etc. They are activities chosen by the social worker based on assessment of his/her practice. They do not have to be sponsored by an approved organization but must be documented by the social worker in the manner prescribed by regulation.
Q: Are there Board forms that I need to use for documenting my compliance with the continued competency requirement?
A: Yes, for certain activities you will need to use a form provided by the Board. To document independent study or attendance of a formal staffing, use the appropriate form found on the Board’s applications and forms page or contact the board office. To document other types of continuing education, you should retain the information specified in 18 VAC 140-20-106. Documentation and forms will be necessary if a social worker is audited following a renewal cycle.
Q: Is there a requirement for a course in ethics?
A: Yes, a minimum of two hours must pertain to the standards of practice and laws governing the profession of social work in Virginia or to the Code of Ethics of one of the social work professional associations.
Q: What if I am newly licensed? Do I still have to obtain the full 30 hours of continued competency before my first renewal?
A: No. Newly licensed individuals are not required to document continuing education on the first renewal date following initial licensure
Q: What if I become ill or incapacitated and unable to complete my continuing competency requirements prior to renewal?
A: Upon written request from the social worker prior to the renewal date explaining the circumstances, the Board may grant an extension or exemption for all or part of the required hours.