State Board of Social Work Examiners

General Questions

1. Must I be a citizen of the United States to be eligible for licensure?

   No. New Jersey State law allows for all individuals, regardless of citizenship status, to obtain a professional or occupational license in New Jersey if all requirements for licensure are met. Individuals with undocumented status are eligible for licensure and a social security number is not required for licensure.

2. When and how do I get my fingerprints done?

   When your application is received by the Board and otherwise considered completed, you will receive a letter explaining the procedure for fingerprints. If you have answered "yes" to question #5 of the CHBC form, please submit the $18.75 re-scan fee. You will not be required to be fingerprinted a second time.

3. Do I still have to be fingerprinted if I have been fingerprinted for an employer previously?

   Yes. If you have not been previously fingerprinted by the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, you must undergo the fingerprinting process.

4. Can I practice in New Jersey if I hold a social work license in another state?

   No, but you may qualify for reciprocity. Submit a verification of license from the state where you hold a license to New Jersey and an application for licensure.

5. Can I keep my license in another state if I am seeking license here?

   Yes. You may hold license in as many states as you wish, however, you cannot practice in New Jersey without a New Jersey issued license or certificate.

6. How do I reinstate or reactivate my license?

   You must complete the reinstatement/reactivation application, submit the appropriate fees and proof of completion of the required continuing education credits.

7. Do I need to notify the Board when I am moving to a new address or changing my name?

   Yes. You are required to notify the Board in writing within 30 days of an address change or name change. You will need to submit proof of legal name change (copy of marriage certificate, divorce decree, court documentation, Social Security card, etc.).

8. When I check the status of my license online, why does it say "Pending?"

   A pending status means that the license process is not complete and a license number has not been assigned to you.

9. Can I have a temporary license to practice while my application is being processed?

   No. The Board cannot issue a temporary license to practice.

10. How do I get a verification of license?

    Please refer to the instructions for License Verification Requests section found on the Applications and Forms page.

11. I lost my license, how do I obtain a new one?

    You must submit a written request along with a check or money order for $25.00 made payable to the State of New Jersey. Indicate your license number on the request and your current address of record. Processing and printing takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks. Please allow 10 to 15 business days for status updates.

12. How does the waived renewal fee for an LCSW, LSW, or CSW scheduled to renew during the fiscal year 2023 (from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023) apply to those who renew late?

    If a licensee or certificate holder scheduled to renew during the fiscal year 2023, who does not renew the license or certificate prior to its expiration date, the licensee or certificate holder may renew the license or certificate within 30 days of its expiration by submitting a renewal application, and a late fee, as set forth in N.J.A.C. 13:44G-14.1. The renewal fee will continue to be waived for the renewal group from fiscal year 2023 during the 30-day late period ONLY.

13. If I wish to request a waiver of a regulation from the Board, how do I do this?

    Draft a formal letter to the Board that explains which regulation you are seeking a waiver of, and provide all details related to your request. For example, if you are requesting a waiver of the in-person supervision regulation, you would need to describe the reasoning behind why you will have difficulty meeting the regulation as written and include the details of your place of employment, as well as how much of the in-person supervision you are requesting be waived in favor of virtual supervision. 

    Upload the letter to your online profile for review.  Do not email your request to the general inbox.  Your item will be added to the next available Board agenda for the Board to consider in executive session. 

14. If an LCSW, LSW, or CSW scheduled to renew during the fiscal year 2023 (from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023) misses the 30-day late period for their renewal, what should they do?

    Those who miss the 30-day late period to renew shall be automatically suspended. An individual who continues to practice with a suspended license or certificate shall be deemed to be engaged in unlicensed practice, and will no longer benefit from the waived renewal fee for those scheduled to renew during fiscal year 2023. 

    As per N.J.A.C. 13:44G-7.3  An individual whose license or certificate has been automatically suspended for up to five years for nonpayment of a biennial renewal fee pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:44G-7.1(d) may be reinstated by the Board upon completion of the following:  

1. Payment of the reinstatement fee and all past delinquent biennial renewal fees pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:44G-14.1;  
   

2. Completion of the continuing education units required for each biennial registration period for which they were suspended; and   

3. Submission of an affidavit of employment listing each job held during the period of suspended license or certification which includes the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of each employer.

Licensed Clinical Social Work (LCSW) Questions

1. The regulations on supervision changed while I was under supervision. How does that affect my eligibility to become licensed?

   An applicant who began clinical social work experience under supervision prior to September 17, 2018 will be deemed to have completed two years of fulltime clinical social work if he or she has completed 1,920 hours of face-to-face client contact. Applicants who began accruing clinical social work experience after September 17, 2018 must complete 3,000 of supervision.

2. Can weekly supervision be completed online?

   Yes. Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:44G-8.1 (b)(1)(v) the supervisor may provide one hour of individual clinical supervision through synchronous video conferencing, which complies with the confidentiality requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), for no more than half of the total supervision hours.

3. Can I request that more than half of my supervision hours be completed online/virtually?

   At its January 10, 2024 Board meeting, the Board passed a motion waiving part of Board regulation N.J.A.C. 13:44G-8.1(b)(1)(v). during the period between March 13, 2020 and April 1, 2024, which normally requires that half of an LSW's total supervision hours take place in person rather than virtually.

   In order to take advantage of this waiver for the stated time period, LSWs must make their request in writing to the Board.  This should be in the form of a letter uploaded to your online profile for review.

   After April 1, 2024, all remaining supervision hours that apply to the clinical work of an LSW supervisee must comply with the aforementioned regulation which requires that at least half of these remaining hours be completed in-person.
   

4. What do I do if I have more than one supervisor or more than one job?

   A supervision form must be completed by every supervisor you have, for each title you have held, and for each location where you have performed clinical services under supervision
   

5. What do I do if I have received outside supervision?

   Outside supervision is permitted with the consent of your employer. If you have received outside supervision: your employer must issue you a notarized letter on agency letterhead with an original signature indicating their consent, and providing a contact name, phone number, and email address for verification purposes. This can be uploaded to your online profile.

6. My NJ supervisor is no longer at my employment setting, what should I do?

   In the event that the applicant is unable to provide a supervisor's certification, the applicant shall submit to the Board a notarized affidavit explaining the reason(s) why the applicant is not able to obtain the supervisor's certification. Include dates of supervision, name and credentials of the clinical supervisor, proof of his/her eligibility to supervise, total number of direct face-to-face clinical client service hours obtained, number of weekly supervision hours, title of the position you held, and an official Human Resources job description

7. May I submit clinical hours accrued under supervision in a state other than New Jersey in connection with my application to gain licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)?

   If you are already licensed in another state as an LCSW, please refer to the instructions for the reciprocity process at the bottom of this page. 

   To accrue supervision hours toward clinical licensure in accordance with N.J.A.C. 13:44G-4.1, you must be a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and your Clinical supervision shall be rendered by: 

   • A clinical social worker (LCSW) licensed by this State (New Jersey) 

   • Who has been licensed as an LCSW for a minimum of three years; and 

   • Who has completed at least 20 continuing education credits of post-graduate course-work related to clinical supervision approved by the Board (see the Clinical Supervisors section at the bottom of this page). 
     

   If your out-of-state supervision meets all the above requirements, it is recommended that you submit a Proposed Plan of Supervision (towards the bottom of the linked page) to the Board for consideration before you begin the work, or at the start of your work at the specified out-of-state employer. The Board will have to consider whether the work, which is ultimately regulated by the laws that govern another state, can be determined to meet the regulations that govern this type of practice in New Jersey. 

   Alternately, you may accrue such hours in another state, achieve LCSW licensure in that state first, and then apply for endorsement of your existing LCSW with New Jersey via the reciprocity process, found at the bottom of this page. 

   For more information on the regulations that govern clinical supervision, refer to N.J.A.C. 13:44G-8.1. 
   

8. How do I know if the work I am doing is considered clinical?

   "Clinical social work services" means social work services which may be performed only by an LCSW or an LSW under supervision pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:44G-8. Clinical social work services include, but are not limited to, the following (drawn from N.J.A.C. 13:44G-1.2):”

1. Clinical assessment, defined as the process of evaluation in which an LCSW or an LSW conducts a differential, individualized, and accurate identification of the psychosocial/behavioral problems existing in the life of the individual client, the family, or psychotherapy group for the purpose of establishing a plan to implement a course of psychotherapeutic counseling. A clinical social work assessment includes, but is not limited to, a mental status examination and a psychosocial history. The clinical social worker may utilize currently accepted diagnostic classifications including, but not limited to, the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, as amended and supplemented.


2. Clinical consultation, defined as ongoing case discussion and evaluation focusing on, but not limited to, client centered advocacy provided as part of the psychotherapeutic process, clinical social work data, clinical goals, and treatment plans for the implementation of psychotherapeutic counseling with individuals, psychotherapy groups, and families. Clinical consultation may also include intervention with appropriate individuals and entities;


3. Psychotherapeutic counseling, defined as ongoing interaction between a social worker and an individual, family, or psychotherapy group for the purpose of helping to resolve symptoms of mental disorder, psychosocial stress, relationship problems, or difficulties in coping with the social environment.


9. How should my clinical work be documented to be in compliance with state regulations?

   As per the regulations in N.J.A.C. 13:44G-12, a social worker shall prepare and maintain for each client a contemporaneous, permanent client record that accurately reflects the client contact with the social worker whether in an office, hospital or other treatment, evaluation or consultation setting.

   A social worker shall include at least the following information in the client record:
   

   • The client name (on each page of the record), address and telephone number;
   • The location and dates of all treatment, evaluation or consultation settings;
   • The identity of each provider of treatment, evaluation or consultation and the supervisor, if any;
   • The presenting situation;
   • Significant social history;
   • Past and current medications, when appropriate;
   • A social work assessment, unless a separate record is kept;
   • A treatment or service plan;
   • Progress notes for each session;
     • a social worker may dictate progress and session notes for later transcription provided the transcription is dated and identified as preliminary pending the social worker's final review and approval;
   • Information regarding referrals to other professionals and reports and records provided by other professionals; and
   • Fees charged and paid unless a separate financial record is kept.
   
   

   A social worker providing clinical services shall include in the client record the following information, in addition to the information required above:
   

   1. Significant medical and psychosocial history;
   2. A diagnostic assessment; and
   3. Prognosis.
   
   

   The social worker shall periodically review and update the treatment or service plan.

   Please review all of N.J.A.C. 13:44G-12 to ensure your clinical documentation complies with all regulations. This is the responsibility of the social worker who provides clinical services.

10. What is an HR job description, why do I need it, and where do I get one?

    An official Human Resources job description accurately reflect the duties performed for the position you hold at your place of employment. It is required to be on agency letterhead and signed by an agency official. It is required to be submitted so that the Board can determine if the position you hold is appropriate for the license you are seeking.

11. Am I required to complete supervision prior to taking my clinical exam?

    Yes. All supervision hours as stated in N.J.A.C. 13:44G-4.1 (a) must be completed prior to examination.

12. How do I submit the results of my clinical exam to the Board?

    If you have passed the ASWB Clinical level examination, please do one of the following:

    • If taken in New Jersey: Upload your unofficial passing score report to your online profile through the Upload License Documents tab.
    • If taken in another state: request an official ASWB score transfer.

13. How do I request an extension to sit for the clinical exam?

    Please upload a letter requesting an extension to your file through the online portal. Once processed, you will receive the approval letter by email allowing you to sit for the exam for another year.
    

14. When did the waiver of the in-person supervision requirement related to the COVID-19 Pandemic begin and end?

    During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board waived N.J.A.C. 13:44G-8.1(b)(1)(v) to the extent that it required in-person supervision of Licensed Social Workers (LSWs). At its May 8, 2024 meeting, the Board passed a motion to extend its waiver of the required in-person clinical supervision for LSWs who began their clinical supervision at any point during the period from March 13, 2020 through April 1, 2024.

    All supervision hours for those LSWs who began their supervision during this period may take place virtually. This waiver does not need to be requested. It will be applied to individuals who began their clinical supervision during the period between March 13, 2020 and April 1, 2024.
    

15. I am an LCSW in New Jersey and I want to be a clinical supervisor. Part of the clinical supervision regulations in N.J.A.C. 13:44G-8.1 state that I must have been licensed as an LCSW for at least three years. Does that mean three years in New Jersey specifically?

    At its May 8, 2024 Board meeting, the Board passed a motion that confirms the interpretation of regulations 13:44G-8.1(b)(2) and 13:44G-8.1(b)(3)(i) are:
    

    • Clinical supervision shall be rendered by a clinical social worker licensed by this State (“LCSW”).
    • It is required that a NJ Licensed LCSW clinical supervisor must have also been a clinically licensed social worker for a minimum of three years. It is not required that the LCSW clinical supervisor have been licensed at the clinical level for all three years in New Jersey specifically.

    
    

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    Licensed Social Work (LSW) Questions

    1. How do I get into a Master's Program for Social Work?

       Go to www.CSWE.org to review a list of colleges/universities accredited by the Council of Social Work Education.  Contact the school of your choice for more information on enrollment.

    2. Do I need to take another exam after receiving my MSW?

       Yes.  You are required to successfully complete the ASWB Master's level examination in order to be eligible for licensure in New Jersey. To obtain preapproval you must submit an LSW licensure application online.
       

    3. How can I be eligible to take the master's level examination?

       You may apply for preapproval to sit for the examination while you are actively enrolled in your last semester of your Master's social work program or if you have completed your degree. Complete and submit the online LSW application and have an original transcript indicating you have completed at least 40 credits sent directly from your school to the Board. Some schools also have letters confirming degree and final semester status sent to the Executive Director, please see the LSW application page for further instructions on these submissions.
       

    4. I have passed the "Master's" level examination. What do I do next?

       If you have passed the ASWB Master's level examination, please do one of the following:

       • If taken in New Jersey: Upload your unofficial passing score report to your online profile through the Upload License Documents tab.
       • If taken in another state: request an official ASWB score transfer.

    5. What documents should I send with my LSW application?

       You will need to submit a new passport style photograph, an original official transcript (indicating the award date), and proof of successful completion of the ASWB examination (score report, verification letter). If you completed the examination through the Board's pre-approval process, you do not need to submit the $75 application fee. If you are applying as licensee from another state, you will need to submit the $75 application fee and submit a verification for each license you possess in another state.
       

    6. How do I request an extension to sit for the master's exam?

       Please upload a letter requesting an extension to your file through the online portal. Once processed, you will receive the approval letter by email allowing you to sit for the exam for another year.

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    Clinical Social Work (CSW) Questions

    1. I obtained my BA prior to 1995 but it is not in social work, can I be a certified social worker?

       Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:44G-4.3(4), if you have a baccalaureate degree that was issued prior to April 6, 1995 from an accredited institution of higher education in Guidance and Counseling, Human Services, Marriage and Family Counseling, Psychology, Sociology, Vocational/Disability Rehabilitation, or Social Work you may be eligible for a CSW.

    2. Can a certified social worker perform psychotherapeutic counseling?

       No. The scope of practice of a CSW includes, but is not limited to, social work services which include, but are not limited to, social work assessment, social work consultation, social work counseling, social work planning, social work community organization, social work policy, social work administration, social work research, and social work client-centered advocacy.

    3. I have a master's degree in social work, can I apply for a CSW?

       Unless you possess a BA in Social Work or fall under the exception noted in question 2 above, you do not qualify to obtain a CSW with a master's degree in social work.

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