1. Education:
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in social work or a related field. The program must include at least 36 semester hours of coursework in social work, sociology, psychology, human development, and related areas.
- A master's degree in social work (MSW) from an accredited college or university is also required for certain advanced social work positions, such as clinical social work or school social work.
2. Clinical or Fieldwork Experience:
- Applicants must complete a minimum of 4,000 hours of supervised clinical or fieldwork experience under the supervision of a qualified social worker. This experience must be completed as part of an accredited social work program or through an approved internship program.
3. Licensure Exam:
- After completing the required education and experience, individuals must pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) national social work licensing exam. The exam consists of 170 multiple-choice questions and covers a wide range of social work topics, including ethics, human development, social policy, and clinical practice.
4. Application and Fees:
- Once candidates have met the education, experience, and exam requirements, they can apply for a license with the Virginia Board of Social Work. The application process involves submitting the completed application form, supporting documents, and the required fee.
5. Continuing Education:
- Licensed social workers in Virginia are required to complete continuing education courses to maintain their license. The Board requires licensees to earn 30 continuing education credits every two years. These credits can be earned through attending workshops, conferences, online courses, or other approved educational activities.
It is important to note that the specific requirements for licensure may change over time, so it's always best to refer to the most up-to-date information provided by the Virginia Board of Social Work.