“I’m getting my social work degree. When do I need to start thinking about getting licensed to practice?”
The time to start thinking about licensure is when you start your social work education! Here are three things you can do the first semester of your degree program:
1. Research regulation in any state or province in which you think you might want to consider practicing social work.
Links to license statutes and regulations are available on this site.
2. Start a SAVINGS ACCOUNT now!
Calculate what it will cost to practice:
- License/Registration application fee
- Exam fee
- Exam prep
- Supervision (it’s not always provided free by employers)
- Continuing Education/Continued Competency requirements to stay licensed
3. Plan for field placements.
Try out a variety of social work practice specialties by investigating the options for field placements. Use your time in field placements to explore a variety of types of social work practice.
Whether you’re just starting BSW or your MSW, or you’re halfway through your degree, you don’t have to wait until your last semester to prepare for professional practice!