To practice school social work in Minnesota, the following are required:

1. Graduation with a Baccalaureate or Master's Degree from an accredited social work program;
2. Licensure by the Board of Social Work;
3. Licensure as a Teacher/Related Service through Minnesota Department of Education;
4. Social workers must pass the national, multiple-choice examination provided by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) comparable examination as determined by the Board in order to work in schools. (City, county and state employed social workers are exempt from this examination requirement)

The Minnesota Board of Social Work offers four levels of licensure:

• Licensed Social Worker (LSW) - May engage in generalist social work practice: must be supervised by another social worker for the equivalent of two years of full-time practice.
• Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW) - May engage in generalist social work practice under supervision; must be supervised by either a LISW or LICSW for the equivalent of two years of full-time practice. In addition an LGSW may, under supervision of an LICSW, engage in clinical social work practice while working towards licensure as an independent clinical social worker.
• Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW)  - May engage in generalist social work practice, and may, under supervision of an LICSW, engage in clinical social work practice while working towards licensure as an independent clinical social worker.
• Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) - May engage in generalist social work practice, including clinical Social Work practice.

The various levels of licensure permit a school social worker to provide services under a scope of practice relevant to the specific license level and educational level.

Licensure

Click here for an information regarding licensure.  MN Statute reference.

For more licensing information:

• Minnesota Board of Social Work
• MN Department of Education - MDE license renewal requirements, Third Party Reimbursement
• Association of Social Work Boards