Safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines are now available for anyone age 6 months or older. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information.

VA Board of Social Work Statement Regarding Racial Disparities in Pass Rates of Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Licensing Examinations

On behalf of the Virginia State Board of Social Work, we acknowledge the racial disparity recently highlighted in the ASWB clinical and masters’ level exam pass rates. This disparity is unacceptable and alarming. The VA State Board of Social Work does not condone any discrimination, institutional or otherwise, and strives for equal opportunity and accessibility to entering the field of Social Work. Additionally, we recognize the need for effective, educated, and professional clinicians and we are certain that we can identify an equitable solution. We will work with the ASWB, the community, and other stakeholders to obtain more information on the possible causes of any disparities and pursue solutions to any issues found. 

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Boost 200

Special funding is available to help a total of 200 motivated Masters-prepared Counselors and Social Workers pursue Virginia licensure by paying for required clinical supervision with a DHP-approved Supervisor. Learn more about Boost 200 and how to apply at www.VHCF.org/Boost200

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(UPDATED June 22, 2022) Information on Continuity of Care and Temporary Authorization to Practice click here (Word document)

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COVID-19 Updates from the Board on Test Centers, CE, and more

Click here for the latest information from the board about the COVID-19 pandemic. (Updated April 28, 2020)

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COVID-19 Updates

Useful up to date COVID-19 Vaccine information

COVID-19 Vaccine information for health professionals

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has information on the Coronavirus Disease for both healthcare professionals and the general public which is updated regularly, as new information becomes available. Read more here.

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Social Work Licensure Compact

CSG is excited to announce that the initial draft has been finalized and posted online here.  The draft is now published for review and public comment. On this webpage you will also find a list of FAQs and a two-page educational fact-sheet.

Please also review the links below:

1. Link to the weekly compact review sessions. Beginning July 18, CSG will host weekly review sessions to explain the provisions of the compact. These meetings are open to the general public. Link to register can be found here. 
2. Link to the feedback survey: To submit comment or feedback on the draft, please fill out the online survey which is linked here

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Practice Analysis Task Force

The Association of Social Work Boards is recruiting volunteers for its Practice Analysis Task Force, offering licensed social workers the opportunity to participate behind the scenes in the next analysis of the practice of social work. Selected task force members will provide subject matter expertise to the association’s practice analysis process, reenvisioned as the Social Work Census. The task force will use the practice analysis survey results to shape the content outlines for the social work licensing examinations that will be released in January 2025.

"We undertake a practice analysis every five to seven years so that exam content remains relevant to the current practice of social work,” said Carl Hokanson, examination development director. “We are doubling the size of the task force to bring as many diverse voices to the table as possible."

All licensed or registered social workers practicing in the United States and Canada who have not previously been involved in the exam program are eligible for consideration. ASWB will select qualified applicants to build an inclusive group that reflects demographic and geographic diversity.

Submit the Practice Analysis Task Force interest form by April 8, 2022.

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Changes to supervision requirements effective March 18, 2021.

The Board has amended regulations to clarify that the definition of “face-to-face” may include the use of technology in the contact between a supervisee and a client and to add a definition for a “supervisory contract.” Other amendments will: (1) clarify that the educational requirements must be completed before persons begin their post-graduate supervised experience; (2) eliminate the requirement that a supervisee notify the Board whenever there is a change of location or supervised experiences; and (3) reiterate that a person must remain under supervision until issued a license. For more information on the changes to the supervision requirements that will be effective 3/18/2021 click here.

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Revisions to Continued Competency Requirements for Renewal

In 2018, the Board introduced changes to the Regulations Governing the Practice of Social Work to increase the continued education hour requirement pertaining to ethics or the standards of practice for behavioral health professions or to the laws governing the practice of social work in Virginia for social work licensees. The amended Regulations became effective on November 13, 2019. The effective change increased the minimum requirement for LCSWs from 2 hours to 6 hours and for LBSWs and LMSWs from 2 hours to 3 hours.

See this chart for clarification as to the number of CE hours currently required for each renewal period.

For a current copy of the revised Regulations Governing the Practice of Social Work, please visit the Laws and Regulations page.

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Scam Alert

The Board has become aware of recent communications to licensees in Virginia and in other states that are designed to appear to be from a professional licensing board, but are fraudulent in nature. Read more.

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Notification of Changes to Issuance of Licenses, Certifications and Registrations

The Board of Social Work will cease mailing hard-copy licenses, certifications, and registrations. During the next renewal, a final hard copy will be issued that contains no expiration date. The renewal period for Board of Social Work will begin in early May and the board will send out email notices at that time. This final copy should be maintained, carried, or posted in accordance with relevant applicable laws and regulations. State health regulatory boards, employers, insurance providers and citizens seeking verification of current licensure status in the Commonwealth of Virginia may obtain this information via License Lookup.

Replacement or duplicate of a final hard-copy license, certification, or registration may be requested through an individual online account.

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License Verification Information

A Virginia licensee seeking to obtain a verification of his/her license, certification, or registration at no cost may do so by directing a board, employer, insurance provider or other interested parties to License Lookup. This content resource meets the accreditation standards for primary source verification from the top seven-accreditation organizations for healthcare professionals.

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Email Communication from the Board

The Virginia Board of Social Work primarily communicates with licensees and applicants by email regarding applications and renewals. Please ensure that you add the board’s email address (socialwork@dhp.virginia.gov) to your safe recipient list to ensure that you receive all email communication from board staff.

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Opioid Addiction Crisis Declared a Public Health Emergency in Virginia

On November 21, 2016 Governor McAuliffe issued a News Release stating that State Health Commissioner Marissa Levine has declared Virginia’s opioid abuse crisis a Public Health Emergency in the Commonwealth.

Visit the Virginia Department of Health for more information.
Download Commissioner Levine’s message to healthcare practitioners on dispensing Naloxone.

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Application Information

Notice: Applications are typically processed within 6 weeks of the receipt of a complete file. Please refer to your online application checklist to ensure that all items have been received. Incomplete applications will not be processed.

Please review the Frequently Asked Questions and Licensure Process Handbook prior to contacting the Board office. You are also encouraged to email any questions to socialwork@dhp.virginia.gov. Board staff will respond to all messages as soon as possible. Thank you for understanding and cooperation as we focus on ensuring complete applications continue to be processed within 30 business days.

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IMPORTANT PRACTICE INFORMATION!

If you work in a non-exempt setting, you are required to be licensed at the appropriate level or under board approved supervision in order to provide social work services to clients in Virginia in accordance with § 54.1-3701 of the Code of Virginia. For a list of exemptions from licensure, please review the Laws Governing Social Work.