204D/Lewis [email protected] Obtaining Your LCSW

Board of Behavioral Science (BBS) 1625 North Market Blvd, Suite S-200, Sacramento, CA 95834 Phone: 916-574-7830 Social Work Evaluator: 916-574-7851 & 916-574-7852 Fax: 916-574-8625 www.bbs.ca.gov

After you graduate you are eligible to register as an Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW). In order to apply you need:

1. A completed Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW) application http://www.bbs.ca.gov/pdf/forms/aswapp.pdf 2. A “live scan” fingerprinting (can not use previous fingerprints). For info on where to obtain this, go to http://ag.ca.gov/fingerprints/publications/contact.php. The BBS has its own application form that you must bring with you. The approximate cost is $20. 3. A seal envelope with CSUS transcript stating MSW degree granted http://webapps1.csus.edu/admr/content/record/transcript 4. A passport-type photograph (you can take this yourself but it must be 2 x2 inches) 5. $75 check or money order

The website has the application and tells you everything you need to know. The application et al needs to be sent or hand-delivered so that the BBS has your signature. Since most of you are in Sacramento, I recommend hand-delivering this application and receiving proof of receipt. If you mail it, send it with some type of postal receipt verification.

Thereafter you must:

1. LOCATE A SUPERVISOR: Find a BBS approved LCSW supervisor who will supervise your hours. Look for employment/agencies that can provide this. a. You can pay for this yourself if your agency is not able to provide it. LCSW supervisors charge up to $90/hour. You can find them through “word of mouth” or contact me for referrals.

2. SUPERVISED HOURS: Get 3,200 hours of supervised experience (this is about 2 years of post- masters experience). You need to be supervised for at least 104 weeks. a. A minimum of 2,200 hours must be gained under the supervision of an LCSW (the rest can be gained under a Licensed Psychologist, or MFT) b. You need to accrue a minimum of 2,000 hours to be specifically in the areas of psychosocial diagnosis, assessment, and treatment c. Of your 2,000 hours, 750 must be face to face individual or group psychotherapy d. You need to have one hour of individual or 2 hours of group supervision for every 10 hours of direct face-to-face client contact for each work setting

3. AN ELIGIBLE SUPERVISOR: Your supervisor is required to complete mandatory training (15 hours) in order to be eligible to supervise you. Ask about this at your work site.

4. A CURRENTLY LICSENCED SUPERVISOR: Your supervisor needs to be continuous licensed while supervising you. If his or her license lapses, your supervision hours will not be counted during the lapsed time. Check the BBS website to ensure that s/he has a current license. 5. PRE-LICENSE TRAINING: You need a certain amount of training in the following content area. A graduate level course at an accredited university will substitute for SOME of these requirements. Otherwise you can take these courses at a number of places. They are either one to two day workshops (cost $100-300 depending). Local places to take courses are: NASW; JFK University; Alliant University; and agencies such as Visions Unlimited, Sacramento County HHS, etc.

Content CSUS Courses That Fulfill Requirement/BBS Approved Substance abuse, 15 hours 218 Human Sexuality, 10 hours 229 Child Abuse Assessment and Reporting, 7 hours 228, 246 Domestic Violence, 15 hours 204C, 204D, 278 (only for those entering degree program after 1/1/04) Aging and Long Term Care – 10 hours 204D; 230, 235A (only for those entering degree program after 1/1/04) Note: Our section of SWRK 204C/D meets the requirement for Domestic Violence & Aging & Ethics (that is not listed in this document.

Note: This list is what the BBS has approved as of 3/09. Courses not listed may still fulfill a pre-licensure requirement. You can submit a syllabus to the BBS to verify the course content meets the requirement. The BBS is very reasonable about approving other courses so it is worth the attempt.

6. STANDARD WRITTEN EXAM: After you complete your hours and courses, you are eligible for the written exam (200 cases/4 hours). You schedule this exam on your own. It is a computer exam and you get the results right away. You can take this exam multiple times but have to wait 6 months to retake it.

Examples: 1. A woman seeks counseling after her 19 year old adolescent was arrested for driving under the influence. The client reports the incident upset her so badly she has been having difficulty sleeping and has not been able to go to work. What strategy should be used in providing treatment for this client? a. Provide the client with an opportunity to discuss feeling about the adolescent’s action. b. Focus on the immediate tasks the client must perform to achieve equilibrium. c. Encourage the client to use social support networks to assist in coping. d. Refer the client to an Al-Anon family support group.

2. Which of the following situations would constitute malpractice? a. An HIV client infects a partner and the therapist did not warn. b. An involuntary client disagrees with the treatment plan and the therapist will not make changes. c. An alcoholic client in recovery begins drinking again after the therapist uses confrontation in the therapy session. d. A depressed client following the treatment plan commits suicide when the therapist cancels multiple appointments with no backup plan.

7. CLINICAL VIGNETTE EXAM: After you pass the first exam, you then are eligible for the second exam. This exam consists of clinical vignettes and it is also multiple choice, taken on a computer. You can take this exam multiple times, but have to wait six months to retake it.

RECOMMENDATION: Similar to the MSW thesis process, there is a lot of anxiety associated with obtaining the LCSW. Try to maintain a positive attitude about this process. Ultimately, it is to your benefit to jump through these hoops. The California LCSW is still one of the most respected social work licenses in the country, and it receives reciprocity in most states. Do “cognitive restructuring” to change any of your worried or entitled thoughts. Avoid peers who bring too much anxiety into the discussion or preparation. Find productive peers to study with.