Become a Social Worker in Alabama

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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:

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.

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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.

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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 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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