Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)-Applicants
The Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) is a social worker who engages in the practice of social work and provides non-clinical, generalist services, including staff supervision and management. You can apply to be a Licensed Master Social Worker by Examination or by Endorsement. This license is not a prerequisite for clinical licensure.
It is strongly recommended that you review the Regulations Governing the Practice of Social Work and the LMSW Licensure Process Handbook before submitting an application.
Which Application Should I Choose?
| Professional Status >>> | Education >>> | Action >>> | Application(s) to Submit: |
|---|
| I have never held a LMSW license in any jurisdiction. |
I have a master’s degree in social work from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program. |
I want to take the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Masters Level exam. |
Application for Licensure by Examination |
| I hold an active, unrestricted comparable social work license in another jurisdiction. |
|
I want to provide non-clinical, generalist social work services in Virginia. |
Application for Licensure by Endorsement |
Important Reminders for All Applicants
- Providing false or misleading information as well as omitting information in response to information requested in the application or as part of the application process is considered falsification of the application and may be grounds for denial of or taking disciplinary action against an existing registration, certification, or license.
- Incomplete applications will remain active for one year from the date of payment. If your application is still incomplete after the one-year timeframe, you will be required to re-apply by submitting a new application, fee, and documentation pursuant to the regulations at that time.
- Pursuant to Virginia Code § 54.1-2400.2 addresses of licensees are made available to the public. Normally, the Address of Record is the publicly disclosed address. If you do not want your Address of Record to be made public, you may provide a second publicly disclosable address (e.g. work or practice address). If you would like your Address of Record to be publicly available, please complete both sections with the same address on the application.
- Pursuant to Virginia Code § 54.1-116 (A), you are required to submit your social security number, or your control number issued by the Virigina Department of Motor Vehicles. If you fail to do so, the processing of your application will be suspended, and fees will not be refunded. This number will be used by the Department of Health Professions for identification and will not be disclosed for other purposes except as provided for by law. Federal and state law requires that this number be shared with other agencies for child support enforcement activities. No license will be issued to any individual who has failed to disclose one of these numbers.
