Become a Social Worker in New Mexico
Table of Contents
- New Mexico Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW)
- New Mexico Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
- New Mexico Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW)
- New Mexico Social Work Salary
- New Mexico Social Work Scholarships
Disclaimer: Due to the rapidly changing nature of social work regulations, for the most up-to-date information on becoming a social worker in New Mexico, contact the New Mexico Social Work Licensing Board.
New Mexico law recognizes three classes of social worker: Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW). 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.
New Mexico LISW (Licensed Independent Social Worker)
New Mexico LISW Education Requirement: Master’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited school and completion of a required course in New Mexican cultures
New Mexico LISW Exam: Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Clinical or Advanced Generalist Level Examination and jurisprudence examination
Field Requirement: 3,600 hours of supervised post-graduate social work experience, 90 hours of which must be supervised. At least 70 of the 90 hours must be directly supervised. At least one hour of supervision must be documented for every 40 hours worked. No more than 54 of the 90 hours can be obtained through group supervision; no more than 25 percent of the 90 hours may be non face-to-face ; there can be no more than six four individuals per group at once. Interdisciplinary supervision can account for no more than 30 hours of the 90 required hours.
Fee: $125 application fee, $260 ASWB examination fee
Additional Information: None
Endorsement: Available upon board approval; must take a three-credit hour course in New Mexican cultures
License Renewal: Renewal is required every year. Requirements for renewal are the successful completion of 30 contact hours of continuing education, including six hours must be in the area of cultural awareness, and payment of a $200 renewal fee.
Return to top
New Mexico LMSW
New Mexico LMSW Education Requirement: Master’s degree in social work from CSWE School and completion of required course in New Mexican cultures
New Mexico LMSW Exam: Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Master’s Level Examination and jurisprudence examination
Field Requirement: None
Fee: $100 application fee, $230 ASWB examination fee
Additional Information: None
Endorsement: Available upon board approval; must take a three-credit hour course in New Mexican cultures
License Renewal: Renewal is required every year. Requirements for renewal are the successful completion of 30 contact hours of continuing education, including six hours must be in the area of cultural awareness, and payment of a $150 renewal fee.
Return to top
New Mexico LBSW (Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker)
Education Requirement: A bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited school and completion of a required course in New Mexico cultures
Exam Requirement: Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Bachelor’s Level Examination and jurisprudence examination
Field Requirement: None
Fee: $75 application fee, $230 ASWB examination fee
Additional Information: None
Endorsement: Available upon board approval; must take a three-credit hour course in New Mexican cultures
License Renewal: Renewal is required every year. Requirements for renewal are the successful completion of 30 contact hours of continuing education, including six hours must be in the area of cultural awareness, and payment of a $100 renewal fee.
Return to top
In order to become a licensed social work practitioner in New Mexico, you will need to complete prerequisite coursework, examination requirements, and, in some cases, supervised work requirements. Also, certain levels of social work in New Mexico can only be reached after completing an on-campus or online master of social work program. We are committed to keeping updated information on New Mexico social work licensure policies available to you.
Disclaimer: There may be additional methods of certification that have not been covered here. Please contact your state social work licensing department for more information. Last updated 09/03/2018.
New Mexico Social Work Salary
| New Mexico Social Work Career | Average Social Worker Salary |
|---|---|
| Child, Family and School Social Worker | $41,650 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $55,640 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $38,620 |
| All Other Social Worker | $56,730 |
| Salary Increase from BSW to MSW | +$9,000 |
Disclaimer: Social Worker Salary information is taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Information about social worker salaries in New Mexico is subject to change. Please confirm salary information with your state before applying for licensure or renewal. Last updated: 8/22/2018.
New Mexico Social Work Scholarships
Health Professional Loan Repayment Program
Type: Loan Repayment
Amount: Up to $25,000 per year
Description: Health professional must make a two-year service commitment to practice full-time in a designated medical shortage area in New Mexico.
Additional scholarship information is available on the national page of social work scholarships.
Return to top
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.