Become a Social Worker in Alabama
Table of Contents
Disclaimer: Due to the rapidly changing nature of social work regulations, for the most up-to-date information on becoming a social worker in Alabama, contact the Alabama Social Work Licensing Board.
Alabama law recognizes four classes of social workers: Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW), Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), and Private Independent Practice (PIP). The requirements are as follows:
Sponsored Online Social Work Programs
- Join the #16 ranked Howard University School of Social Work1
- Four program tracks: Advanced Standing, Accelerated, Full Time and Extended
- Research-driven faculty dedicated to making an impact on social problems
- Prepares you to apply social work skills across practice settings
- Four areas of focus: Individuals and Families, Organizations and Community, Evaluation, and Policy Practice and Advocacy
- Three certificates: Trauma Practice, Mental Health Practice or Practice with Groups and Families.
- Four program tracks: Advanced Standing, Accelerated, Full Time and Extended
- Three academic departments: Adult Mental Health and Wellness; Children, Youth – and Families; and Social Change and Innovation
- Features field education in or near students’ own communities.
- Traditional and Advanced Standing tracks
- Concentrate your degree in integrated practice or clinical practice
- Ethically integrates faith and social work practice
- Specialize in clinical practice or community practice
- CWRU’s Mandel School is a top-10 ranked graduate school of social work (2019).1
- Three paths of study are available to prepare social work leaders to work in clinical or community practice.
Alabama PIP (Private Independent Practice)
Alabama PIP Education Requirement: Master of Social Work (MSW) or Doctor of Social Work (DSW) from a CSWE-approved or accredited college or university
Alabama PIP Exam: None
Field Requirement: Three years of full-time or five years of part-time post-graduate (post-MSW) experience or one year full-time or two years part-time post-graduate experience as a licensed certified social worker (LCSW)
Fee: $75 application fee
Additional Information: Must hold licensure as a LCSW prior to applying. Must apply for PIP in a specific practice method; may apply for more than one practice method.
Endorsement: None
License Renewal: None. The PIP will remain active as long as LCSW is current. The Alabama Social Work Licensing Board will not send out renewal notices, therefore, it is the licensee’s responsibility to keep track of their license and renew accordingly.
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Alabama LCSW
Alabama LCSW Education Requirement: Master of Social Work (MSW) or Doctor of Social Work (DSW) from a CSWE-approved or accredited college or university
Alabama LCSW Exam: Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Clinical Level Examination
Field Requirement: At least two years of post-graduate work, involving at least four hours per month of face-to-face supervision by an LCSW, for at least 24 months over a 36-month period
Fee: $75 application fee, $260 ASWB examination fee
Additional Information: Must hold an LGSW license to apply for LCSW licensure
Endorsement: Available upon board approval
License Renewal: Licenses expire on the last day of the month in the calendar year that is exactly two years from the calendar year and month issued by the board and printed on the license. Thirty contact hours of continuing education, as well as a $100 fee are required for license renewal.
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Alabama LGSW (Licensed Graduate Social Worker)
Alabama LGSW Education Requirement: Master of Social Work (MSW) or Doctor of Social Work (DSW) from a CSWE-approved or accredited college or university
Alabama LGSW Exam: Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Master’s Level Examination
Field Requirement: None
Fee: $75 application fee, $230 ASWB examination fee
Additional Information: None
Endorsement: Available upon board approval
License Renewal: Licenses expire on the last day of the month in the calendar year that is exactly two years from the calendar year and month issued by the board and printed on the license. Thirty contact hours of continuing education, as well as a $100 fee are required for license renewal.
Alabama LBSW (Licensed Bachelor Social Worker)
Alabama LBSW Education Requirement: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a CSWE-approved or accredited college or university
Alabama LBSW Exam: Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Bachelor’s Level examination
Field Requirement: None
Fee: $75 application fee, $230 ASWB examination fee
Additional Information: LBSW must work under the supervision (involving at least four hours per month of face-to-face supervision) of a licensed graduate social worker (LGSW), licensed certified social worker (LCSW), or a PIP certified in the same practice method if coming from outside your agency for at least 24 months over a 36-month period after obtaining licensure; may work with individuals, families, communities, groups and other organizations. LBSW may work without supervision only after completing two years of supervised work and only if their professional responsibilities do not change.
Endorsement: Available upon board approval
License Renewal: Licenses expire on the last day of the month in the calendar year that is exactly two years from the calendar year and month issued by the board and printed on the license. Thirty contact hours of continuing education, as well as a $100 fee are required for license renewal.
In order to become a licensed social work practitioner in Alabama, you will need to complete prerequisite coursework, examination requirements, and, in some cases, supervised work requirements. Also, certain levels of social work in Alabama can only be reached after completing an on-campus or online MSW program. We are committed to keeping updated information on Alabama social work licensure policies available to you.
Alabama Social Work Salary
| Alabama Social Work Career | Average Social Work Salary |
|---|---|
| Child, Family and School Social Workers | $41,610 |
| Medical and Public Health Social Workers | $47,170 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $38,580 |
| All other Social Workers | $61,600 |
| Master of Social Workers Salary (average increase from BSW) | +$9,000 |
Disclaimer: Social Worker Salary information is taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Information about social worker salaries in Alabama is subject to change. Please confirm salary information with your state before applying for licensure or renewal. Information about social worker salaries in Alabama is subject to change. Please confirm salary information with your state before applying for licensure or renewal. Last updated: 08/22/2018.
There may be additional methods of certification that have not been covered here. Please contact your state social work licensing department for more information.
Alabama Social Work Scholarships
National Association of Junior Auxiliaries, Inc. Graduate Scholarship Program
Type: Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Description: The National Association of Junior Auxiliaries, Inc. (NAJA) was established in 1941 with the purpose of uniting members to render charitable services that are beneficial to the general public, with particular emphasis on children, and to cooperate with other organizations performing similar services. Today, the growing Association continues with the focus of meeting the needs of children and youth in keeping with the NAJA slogan: Care Today – Character Tomorrow.Additional scholarship information is available on the national page of social work scholarships.
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Sponsored Online Social Work Programs
- Join the #16 ranked Howard University School of Social Work1
- Four program tracks: Advanced Standing, Accelerated, Full Time and Extended
- Research-driven faculty dedicated to making an impact on social problems
- Prepares you to apply social work skills across practice settings
- Four areas of focus: Individuals and Families, Organizations and Community, Evaluation, and Policy Practice and Advocacy
- Three certificates: Trauma Practice, Mental Health Practice or Practice with Groups and Families.
- Four program tracks: Advanced Standing, Accelerated, Full Time and Extended
- Three academic departments: Adult Mental Health and Wellness; Children, Youth – and Families; and Social Change and Innovation
- Features field education in or near students’ own communities.
- Traditional and Advanced Standing tracks
- Concentrate your degree in integrated practice or clinical practice
- Ethically integrates faith and social work practice
- Specialize in clinical practice or community practice
- CWRU’s Mandel School is a top-10 ranked graduate school of social work (2019).1
- Three paths of study are available to prepare social work leaders to work in clinical or community practice.
Licensure information including requirements, renewals, and fees were retrieved as of August 2018. Information may have changed since, check with the state’s board of licensing for more information.