Looking to become a social worker in Michigan? You’ve come to the right spot! While there are similarities in licensing requirements from state to state, each state is unique. In addition to providing the essentials below, you can click the link we have provided for Michigan’s official licensing body. There you can find additional information on potential requirements like background checks, state-to-state license transfers, and continuing education requirements. We hope this handy guide assists in your efforts to become a certified social worker in your state!
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In Michigan, it is possible to be licensed as a social worker with either a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from an accredited institution. The designations Registered Social Services Technician (RSST) and Licensed Bachelor’s Social Worker (LBSW) are granted to social workers with Associate’s degrees and Bachelor’s degrees, respectively. The designation Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) requires education at at least the master’s level.
The Registered Social Services Technician (RSST) must have: completed at least 2,000 hours of social work experience, accrued over not less than one year and under the supervision of a LMSW or LBSW, as well as current employment in human services; and completed two years of college that included at least four courses relevant to human service needs or successful completion of an associate degree in social work from an accredited college or university.
Licensed Bachelor Social Workers (LBSW) must have: A bachelor’s degree in social work from a social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE); Successfully passed the Bachelor’s exam given by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB); Completed at least 4,000 hours (two years of full-time, or the equivalent in part-time) of post bachelor’s degree experience in the practice of social work at the bachelor’s level under the supervision of a fully licensed master’s social worker. Experience cannot be accrued in no less than two years.
Licensed Master Social Workers (LMSW) must have: A master’s degree or doctoral degree in social work from a social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE); Successfully passed the Clinical exam (for the Clinical designation) or the Advanced Generalist exam (for the Macro designation), both given by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB); Completed at least 4,000 hours (two years of full-time, or the equivalent in part-time) of post master’s or post doctoral degree experience in the practice of social work at the master’s level under the supervision of a fully licensed master’s social worker.
RSST Requirements:
- Education: Associate
- ASWB Exam: N/A
- Supervision: See Above
LBSW Requirements:
- Education: Bachelor’s
- ASWB Exam: Bachelor’s-Level
- Supervision: 2 years
LMSW Requirements:
- Education: Master’s
- Supervision: 2 years
- ASWB Exam: Clinical or Advanced-Generalist