General Information terms and Definitions: An applicant for social work licensure shall meet the following general requirements: 1. Is at least twenty-one (21) years of age; 2. Is of good moral character, as defined in these Rules and Regulations; 3. Has on file a fingerprint criminal history information record check acceptable to the Board. 4. Has on file a Mississippi Sex Offender Registry check acceptable to the Board; 5. Holds United States citizenship or status as a legal resident alien; 6. Is free of conviction of a felony related to the practice of social work within the last ten (10) years; 7. Is mentally competent with no decree of mental incompetence still standing in any court; 8. Is currently free from dependency on alcohol or drugs, other substances or any other type of addiction; 9. Has no pending disciplinary action; 10. Has an acceptable social work degree for level of licensure requested. Application shall be made on forms provided by the Board and available on the Board’s website. Payment of application fees must be included with an initial licensure application and other supporting documentation as required. In addition to the general requirements, all applicants must meet the following specific requirements: 1. LSW Level: An applicant for LSW designation must submit the following to the Board: a. An Initial application; b. Verification of a baccalaureate degree in social work from a college or university accredited by Council on Social Work Education) (CSWE) or Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS); c. A current fingerprint criminal history record information check conducted by the appropriate governmental authority or authorities within one hundred eighty (180) days of the completed application. This criminal history record information check must be received by the Board directly from the appropriate governmental authority or authorities, not from the applicant; d. An acceptable Sex Offender Registry check conducted by the Board; e. Passing scores on the examination from the ASWB basic exam; f. Full licensure fee 2. LMSW Level: An applicant for LMSW designation must submit the following to the Board: a. An Initial application; b. Verification of a master's degree from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) or a doctorate in social work (D.S.W. or Ph.D.); c. A current fingerprint criminal history record information check conducted by the appropriate governmental authority or authorities within one hundred eighty (180) days of the completed application. This criminal history record information check must be received by the Board directly from the appropriate governmental authority or authorities, not from the applicant; d. An acceptable Sex Offender Registry check conducted by the Board; e. Passing scores on the examination from the ASWB intermediate exam; f. Full licensure fee 3. LCSW Level: An applicant for LCSW designation must be a current LMSW in good standing who has completed the Supervision process as outlined in Part 1902, Chapter 2, Rule 2.3 of Mississippi Law as verified by Board records, and must submit to the Board: a. An Initial application for LCSW license; b. Supervision Plan and Contract for Supervision as outlined by the MS Board of Examiners for Social Workers in the LMSW Guide for Supervision; c. Four evaluations (1 approximately every six months for 24 months) not to exceed thirty-six (36) months for the supervision process to be completed; d. Termination of Supervision Contract; e. A current fingerprint criminal history record information check conducted by the appropriate governmental authority or authorities within one hundred eighty (180) days of the completed application. This criminal history record information check must be received by the Board directly from the appropriate governmental authority or authorities, not from the applicant; f. An acceptable Sex Offender Registry check conducted by the Board; g. Three character/professional references from persons in current professional contact with applicant; references may be from disciplines related to social work, but at least one (1) must be from a LCSW other than the applicant’s supervisor; h. Passing scores from the ASWB examination on either the Clinical level or Advanced level; i. Applicable fees: No additional licensure fee is required, if upgrading from LMSW status in good standing. Upon passing the examination and meeting the requirements prescribed for licensure and upon paying the initial licensure fee, an applicant shall be issued the appropriate license by the board. Except as provided in Section 33-1-39 of applicable Mississippi Law, licenses shall be renewed biennially after initial licensure in the manner prescribed by the rules and regulations of the board and upon the payment of the fees for renewal prescribed by the board. However, the fee for an initial license may be prorated in proportion to the period of time from the date of issuance. Licensure by Reciprocity/Endorsement: Applicants for licensure by reciprocity/endorsement who hold a valid license from another state may be eligible for licensure in Mississippi provided: a. The examination completed for licensure is the same examination endorsed or prescribed by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) for the license level for which reciprocity/endorsement is being requested. b. The applicant has a comparable license in good standing or registration from another state or territory of the United States that imposes qualifications equal to or greater than the current requirements of the Mississippi Board of Examiners. Exams administered by individual states are not considered equal. c. Applicants, who have complaints or disciplinary action pending against them in another state, will not be granted a Mississippi license until such complaints are resolved to the satisfaction of the Board. d. The applicant has the required degree for licensure according to the current Rules and Regulations of the Board. er file
