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This website publishes administrative rules on their effective dates, as designated by the adopting state agencies, colleges, and universities.

Rule 4757-19-01 | Requirements for licensure as a social worker.

 

The requirements for licensure as a social worker are generally set forth in division (A) of section 4757.28 of the Revised Code. With regard to such applicants, the board hereby prescribes:

(A) That the applicant shall apply for a license in accordance with the provisions of rule 4757-1-04 of the Administrative Code; and,

(B) The applicant shall submit the following;

(1) An applicant for licensure shall submit a completed official application form made under oath and all requested information; and

(2) The applicant's education shall be documented by official college transcripts from the college or university. Educational requirements must be met by completion of educational programs at accredited colleges or universities; and

(3) Submit with the application the required fee per paragraph (D) of rule 4757-1-05 of the Administrative Code; and

(4) Documentation necessary for examination approval as required by rule 4757-19-04 of the Administrative Code; and

(5) Applicants shall have passed the required examination within seven years of application date, unless they are currently licensed in an equivalent capacity in another state and passed the prescribed examination as part of the licensure requirements in that state; and

(6) Applications will be reviewed by the board after all the required information is received. Applicants will be notified by mail or email of the action taken on the application.

(7) Applicants who are denied admission to the examination will be afforded an opportunity for a hearing pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

(C) The applicant shall have a bachelor's degree in social work or a master's degree in social work, or a doctoral degree in social work from an appropriately accredited educational institution; which shows evidence of meeting the following coursework requirements, unless the degree is accredited by CSWE, in which case it is recognized as a qualifying degree in social work:

(1) Coursework in the area of human development and behavior which includes: the social, psychological, and physiological growth of an individual, and the effects of growth of a personality in the social environment.

(2) Social work practice courses taught by an individual with an advanced degree in social work. Coursework shall include methods of social intervention: casework, groupwork, community organization and practice, social research and administration: in addition, three semester hours of coursework or its equivalent in the area of social work research shall be required.

(3) Coursework in social welfare and policy area. Social welfare and policy includes the history of social welfare; policy development and analysis

(4) Coursework in social work theory which includes the study of the principles, which demonstrate various types of bio-psycho-social interventions.

(5) A supervised practicum and/or field experience that meets CSWE requirements, with a primary focus on social intervention coordinated by a an individual with an advanced degree in social work. At its discretion the committee may waive certain field experience hours or approve alternative means of completing the requirements, provided the social work program can attest to the competence of the applicant following completion of the field experience.

(6) The program shall reflect continuous effort to enrich the educational experience by incorporating content on social work professional and legal ethics, and racial ethnic and cultural diversity as well as women's issues into the curriculum.

(D) Per division (A) of section 4757.28 of the Revised Code, a social worker license shall clearly indicate each academic degree earned by the person to whom it is issued. Social worker wall certificates shall be prepared using the following acronyms for the degrees noted and only those earned as of the date of issuance. Licensees or registrants may not use a doctorate designation in their professional capacity unless it is related to the field of mental health and is from an appropriately accredited educational institution. Related degree licensees shall be so noted on their wall certificates as "Licensed Social Worker - Related Degree."

(1) Bachelor of arts - major social work or a related degree shall be "BA" or "BASW."

(2) Bachelor of social work - major social work shall be "BSW."

(3) Bachelor of science in social work - major social work shall be "BSSW."

(4) Bachelor of science - major social work or a related degree shall be "BS."

(5) Master of social work - major social work shall be "MSW."

(6) Master of arts - major social service administration shall be "MASSA."

(7) Master of science - in social administration major in social work shall be "MSSA."

(8) Master of arts - major social work related degree shall be "MA" or "MASW."

(9) Master of science - major social work related degree shall be "MS."

(10) Doctorate of social work - major in social work shall be "DSW."

(11) Doctor of Philosophy - major in social work shall be "PhD."

(12) Doctorate of related area of mental health - related area of mental health majors shall be "PhD-Other."

Last updated March 21, 2022 at 8:36 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4757.10, 4757.28
Amplifies: 4757.28
Five Year Review Date: 2/27/2023
Prior Effective Dates: 2/24/1986 (Emer.), 5/22/1986, 7/3/1997, 7/10/2000, 11/4/2006, 9/20/2007, 9/1/2011, 1/1/2013, 11/3/2014, 3/5/2018