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MSU Denver
Job Search Resources
Bookmark the Classroom 2 Career Hub Career Services and explore their resources as they develop and become available: https://www.msudenver.edu/classroom-to-career-hub/
The Classroom to Career (C2) Hub is available to support your job search needs. We are working to incorporate new job postings into the Career Link database.
Professional Development Resources for Students
Graduate School Entrance Exam & Professional Licensure Program – designed to assist MSU Denver students looking to further their education and career preparation by covering the cost of graduate school entrance exams and certification or licensure exams/courses (including the ASWB exam).
Online Professional Development Program – developed to support students looking to participate in professional development opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic by offering financial support for students participating in online professional development events.
Social Work Licensure Requirements by State
The MSW Program prepares you for professional licensure in Colorado. If you will be seeking licensure outside of Colorado, please use the following resource as a starting point to ensure the MSW Program at MSU Denver will meet the specific requirements of that state. Detailed information about licensing exams can be found on the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) website.
This resource was last updated May 2021. If a link is broken or no longer leads to the correct site, please notify us at [email protected]
| State | Requirements |
| Alabama | LGSW – CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination |
| Alaska | LMSW – CSWE accredited program transcript, pass master’s level ASWB examination and 3 professional references |
| Arizona | LMSW – CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination |
| Arkansas | LMSW – CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination |
| California | ASW – CSWE accredited program transcript, “California Law and Professional Ethics” 18-hour course and pass the California Law and Ethics exam |
| Colorado | LSW – CSWE MSW transcript, Colorado Mental Health Profession’s Jurisprudence Examination and complete the Healthcare Professions Profiling Program |
| Connecticut | LMSW – CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination |
| District of Columbia | LGSW – CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination |
| Delaware | LCSW only – CSWE accredited program transcript, pass master’s level ASWB examination, and 3200 post education supervised clinical hours |
| Florida | LCSW only – CSWE accredited program transcript, pass master’s level ASWB examination, and 24 months post education supervised clinical (1500) hours |
| Georgia | LMSW – CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination |
| Hawaii | LSW – CSWE accredited program transcript and pass ASWB examination |
| Idaho | LMSW – CSWE accredited program transcript, pass ASWB examination and 3 professional references |
| Illinois | LMSW – CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination |
| Indiana | LSW – CSWE accredited program transcript and pass ASWB examination |
| Iowa | LMSW – CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination |
| Kansas | LMSW – CSWE accredited program transcript, pass master’s level ASWB examination and 3 professional references |
| Kentucky | CSW – CSWE accredited program transcript and pass ASWB examination |
| Louisiana | LMSW – CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination |
| Maine | LMSW – CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination |
| Maryland | LGSW – CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination |
| Massachusetts | LSW – CSWE accredited program transcript and pass ASWB examination |
| Michigan | MSWL Limited – CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination |
| Minnesota | LMSW – CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination |
| Mississippi | LMSW – CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination |
| Missouri | LMSW – CSWE accredited program transcript, pass master’s level ASWB examination and 3 professional references |
| Montana | LCSW only – CSWE accredited program transcript, pass master’s level ASWB examination, and 3000 post education supervised clinical hours |
| Nebraska | CSW – CSWE accredited program transcript |
| Nevada | LSW – CSWE accredited program transcript and pass ASWB examination |
| New Hampshire | LICSW only – CSWE accredited program transcript, pass master’s level ASWB examination, and 3000 post education supervised clinical hours |
| New Jersey | LSW – CSWE accredited program transcript and pass ASWB examination |
| New Mexico | LMSW – CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination |
| New York | LMSW – CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination |
| North Carolina | CMSW – CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination |
| North Dakota | LMSW – CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination |
| Ohio | LSW – CSWE accredited program transcript and pass ASWB examination |
| Oklahoma | LMSW – CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination |
| Oregon | LMSW – CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination |
| Pennsylvania | LSW – CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination |
| Rhode Island | LCSW only – CSWE accredited program transcript, pass master’s level ASWB examination, and 3000 post education supervised clinical hours |
| South Carolina | LMSW – CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination |
| South Dakota | CSW – CSWE accredited program transcript, pass master’s level ASWB examination and 3 professional references |
| Tennessee | LMSW – CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination |
| Texas | LMSW – CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination |
| Utah | CSW – CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination |
| Vermont | LMSW – CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination |
| Virginia | LSW – CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination |
| Washington | LASW – CSWE accredited program transcript, pass master’s level ASWB examination, 4 hours of HIV/AIDS training, and 3200 post education supervised clinical hours |
| West Virginia | LGSW – CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination |
| Wisconsin | APSW – CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination |
| Wyoming | CSW – CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination |
LSW and LCSW Licensure in Colorado
*Please Note: ASWB will be implementing testing changes for MSW students in mid-2021. We will update this page as more information becomes available.
For questions or more information, visit DORA (Department of Regulatory Agencies) and ASWB (Association of Social Work Boards).
The Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licenses are available to graduates of approved MSW programs. Students may not apply for licensure prior to graduation. The LSW license can be the first step in obtaining the LCSW license. Please see below for important licensing updates based on the passage of the 2020 Mental Health Practice Act Sunset bill (HB20-1206).
MSU Denver’s MSW Program is an approved program by DORA and all graduates are eligible to apply for licensure.
Licensure Process
- Applicant takes the Jurisprudence Exam
- Applicant completes and submits LSW application with DORA
- Applicant takes the ASWB Exam
- Applicant received verification from DORA – applicant is now licensed as a Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
- Applicant begins to accrue required experience and supervision hours
- Applicant completes and submits LCSW application
- Applicant receives verification from DORA – applicant is now licensed as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
The NASW-CO (National Association of Social Workers, Colorado Chapter) website offers more information on this process, including detailed steps to licensure. They also provide Jurisprudence Exam Help resources. Other general information can be found on the MSW Guide website.
If you have any questions about the licensure process in Colorado, please contact us at [email protected].
Important Licensing Updates for MSW Grads
We know there have been many questions regarding shifts and changes to licensure in Colorado. There are no changes to the LSW category and process, including the ASWB exam requirement. The drop-down box below contains an email from Heather McLaughlin, Executive Director of the NASW Colorado Chapter, sent in summer 2020 summarizing the latest information and advice. In addition to this email, Heather has provided the following statement:
“Among the changes to the Sunset of the MH Practice Act that NASWCO advocated for, we successfully added a NEW category of “Candidate” for Clinical Social Worker status. This change will allow all MSW graduates (of accredited CSWE programs) to step directly into the Candidate status and begin accruing hours toward the required Clinical Supervision as an LCSW. To become a Clinical Social Worker Candidate, a DORA application and passage of the Jurisprudence exam are required but it is not required to take an ASWB exam (which IS required to become an LSW). Clinical Social Worker Candidates are able to maintain the Candidate status for up to four years before needing to pass their ASWB Clinical Exam.” — Heather McLaughlin, Executive Director, NASWCO
NASW-CO ANNOUNCES: In the final days of the 2020 Legislative Session, our Mental Health Practice Act Sunset bill, HB20-1206, passed with all of our key requests intact! We expect the bill to become law on July 16th. The improvements in this bill for MSW graduates (in bold), LSWs, and LCSWs are enormous and only made possible by NASW Member dues supporting lobbying efforts. Here are bill highlights, which continues the regulation of mental health professionals until 2029:
- Finally, after decades of working on this issue, the bill ceases new Registered Psychotherapists and renames current RPs to Unlicensed Psychotherapists;
- Creates a new option for MSW graduates, in addition to the LSW, of Clinical Social Worker Candidate, which has no ASWB exam requirement thus allowing immediate accrual of clinical hours toward the LCSW (upon passage of Jurisprudence Exam and completion of DORA application);
- Permits 100% tele-supervision for clinical hours toward the LCSW;
- Expedites licensing by allowing DORA staff to approve applications for licensure without ratification from the respective board unless the board deems ratification necessary;
- Allows fulfillment of all 40 hours (rather than 20) per license renewal cycle of continuing competency requirements through “coursework” (i.e. CE such as academic courses, seminars, conferences, in-service trainings, and workshops);
- Requires a mental health professional to disclose to clients that the client’s medical records may not be maintained longer than 7 years (in lieu of sending follow-up notifications);
- Clarifies that a mental health professional may (permissively) disclose confidential communications if there is a threat to a school or its employees and personnel;
- Clarifies that it is not a prohibited activity for a mental health professional to offer or accept payment for services provided from a referral;
- Clarifies that mental health professionals are not required to form a professional service corporation;
- Clarifies that mental health professionals may administer opiate antagonists;
- Repeals the requirements that members of the mental health boards must be United States citizens; and,
- Creates a workgroup to make recommendations regarding 1) Letters of Admonition and 2) non-violent felony records of applicants.
Heather McLaughlin, MSW, MPH
Executive Director
National Association of Social Workers,
Colorado Chapter
Office: 303-753-8890; Cell: 720-272-8054
[email protected]
http://www.naswco.org
Pronouns: She/her/hers
CAC/LAC Licensure Resources
For questions or more information, please visit the DORA (Department of Regulatory Agencies).
All CAC/LAC coursework at MSU Denver is currently located within the Department of Human Services and Counseling.
Colorado offers four levels of addition certification:
Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) I – this is an entry level certification. Applicants must:
- take the Colorado Mental Health Professional’s Jurisprudence Exam
- have a high school diploma or equivalent
- complete the required DBH (Division of Behavioral Health) approved training classes
- 1000 hours of work experience clinically supervised by a CAC II or LAC (can not be completed in fewer than six months)
Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) II* – allows the counselor to practice independently with appropriate supervision. Applicants must:
- meet all the requirements of the CAC I
- pass the CAC II required training classes
- 2000 hours of work experience beyond the CAC I clinically supervised by a CAC II or LAC (can not be completed in fewer than twelve months)
- present proof of passing a national examination
Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) III* – this is the supervisory level. CAC IIIs have the authority to practice independently and assume clinical supervision duties. Applicants must:
- have a Bachelors degree in the behavioral health sciences
- have been awarded a CAC II certification by DORA
- pass the CAC III required training classes
- 2000 hours of work experience beyond the CAC II clinically supervised by a CAC II or LAC or qualified supervisor (can not be completed in fewer than twelve months)
- present proof of passing a national examination
Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC)*– this is the Masters level addictions credentialing level. Applicants must:
- have a clinical Masters degree
- completion of all requirements for a CAC III
- proof of passing the NAADAC MAC exam
*Note: Counselors holding a clinical Masters or Doctorate degree may obtain their CAC II, CAC III, or LAC by a combination of appropriately clinically supervised work experience hours, DBH approved training classes (or the equivalent), and proof of passing a national examination.