Social Work License in Alabama
Find Education Requirements in Alabama for one of the following:
From its European colonization in 1702 by the French, to its inclusion as part of the US territories in 1810, Alabama has a rich and varied history. With gulf coastline and southern cultural roots there are many aspects of Alabama making it a great place to start a career as a Licensed Social Worker. It is important to check in with each state’s Social Work board to get accurate and up to date information on the states licensing process. Here is the website for the State of Alabama:
Once you have applied you may be considered “license eligible”. You will need to have an application in the board’s office completed and approved. This allows you to practice social work for an organization while you are studying and taking the license examination.
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Licenses
The state of Alabama has different levels of licensure depending on academic achievements and clinical experience. We will outline each license below ranked based on education and clinical experience required to gain each license.
Licensed Baccalaureate of Social Work (LBSW)
- If you wish to attain the title Licensed Baccalaureate of Social Work (LBSW) in Alabama, you must first get a Bachelor’s of Social Work degree from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program.
- To apply for the license of LBSW you will need 24 months of at least 4 hours per month of direct supervision by an LGSW or LCSW within the same agency or a PIP if your supervisor is from an outside agency.
- To renew your license you will need thirty hours of continuing education for a two year period. Of the 30 Hours required 20 are allowed to be in self-study/home-study programs.
Licensed Graduate of Social Work (LGSW)
- To gain the title of Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW) in Alabama, you will need to obtain a Master of Social Work Degree or Doctorate in Social Work degree from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program.
- Learn about Alabama Masters Degree in Social Work (MSW)
- Once you have graduated from an accredited program, you can immediately take the exam for LGSW. Once you have passed the exam you can begin gaining experience towards becoming a Licensed Certified Social Worker and also you may begin to supervise LBSW’s.
- To renew your license you will need thirty hours of continuing education for a two year period. Of the 30 Hours required 20 are allowed to be in self-study/home-study programs.
Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW)
- To gain the title of Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) in Alabama, you will first need to attain your LGSW title, one you have this you will need four hours of direct supervision per month for 24 months, the supervision must come from a LCSW within the agency or a PIP certified in the same practice method if coming from outside your organization.
- To renew your license you will need thirty hours of continuing education for a two year period. Of the 30 Hours required 20 are allowed to be in self-study/home-study programs.
Private Independent Practice (PIP)
- To gain the license for Private Independent Practice (PIP) in Alabama, you will need to have your LCSW license or have your Master of Social Work degree from a CSWE accredited program and meet the additional work experience requirements. Then you will need to gain three years full-time or five years of part-time experience after receiving the Master of Social Work degree and legally practicing in a specific social work method, OR one year full-time or two years part-time post-graduate experience in the specified social work method after receiving the LCSW title.
- To renew your license you will need thirty hours of continuing education for a two year period. If you also have a PIP License you will need twenty hours in addition to the thirty required. Of the 30 Hours required 20 are allowed to be in self-study/home-study programs of the 20 for the PIP all can be in self-study.
