Looking to become a social worker in Rhode Island? 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 Rhode Island’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 Rhode Island, it is possible to be licensed as a social worker with a master’s degree from an accredited institution. The designations Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) both require education at at least the master’s level.

The Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) must have a master of social work or a doctor of social work degree from a college or university approved or accredited by the CSWE. The candidate for licensure at the LCSW level must pass an exam as prescribed by the Board. An LCSW provides a wide range of services.   An LCSW may provide preventive and treatment services pertaining to individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations.
The Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) must have a master of social work or a doctor of social work degree from a college or university approved or accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and hold a current LCSW license. The LICSW must have received two years or more of postgraduate continuing supervision as well as pass the clinical-level exam as prescribed by the Board. Candidates for the LICSW license must complete 3,000 hours of supervised social work experience. At least half of these hours must be undertaken providing direct client service. You must have at least one supervised hour per twenty hours of client contact, and two hours every two weeks. Finally, at least 75 percent of your supervision must be one-on-one with your supervisor. These hours must be completed between 24 and 72 months.

Continuing education hours will be accepted by the Board for course work, including online courses, that have been presented, accepted, or approved by: the NASW or its local chapter or other state licensing boards of social work; the ASWB; other recognized social work professional organizations that include but are not limited to the Federation of Clinical Social Work Societies and the National Association of Black Social Workers; any department or school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) to offer the Master’s in Social Work (MSW) degree. Twenty-four (24) hours of the required thirty (30) hours of continuing education in a two-year period shall be contact hours. The remaining six (6) hours of continuing education may be non-contact hours.

LCSW Requirements:

  • Education: Master’s
  • Supervision: N/A
  • ASWB Exam: See Above

LICSW Requirements:

  • Education: Master’s
  • Supervision: 2 years
  • ASWB Exam: Clinical

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