Initial Application Instructions

Initial Application for Licensure

Pursuant to NRS 641B.500, it is unlawful for any person to represent him/herself as a social worker without a license. You may not engage in the practice of social work until you are licensed.

Please refer to NRS 641B and NAC 641B for specific laws and statutes about licensure. Links to these documents can be found at the Board website - http://socwork.nv.gov/.

Licensure Types

• LSW - Licensed Social Worker
  • BSW non-clinical license
  • License by examination or endorsement

Application Processing Timeline

Every item on the enclosed application must be completed. Once ALL information has been received by the Board, the application will be processed. Allow forty-five (45) days for processing of the complete application. Failure to provide requested information will result in a delay or rejection of the application as incomplete.

The status of license applications can be viewed online using the online Application Status Form.

General Qualifications / Requirements

1. Applicant must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age.
2. Applicant must provide one form of identification that verifies birth date, including
   • Copy of birth certificate (Hospital certificates are not acceptable), or
   • Copy of current passport.
3. Applicant must provide a copy of current driver's license or state identification card.
4. If you have a positive criminal history then you will need to provide a court certified copy of records pertaining to arrests, charges and / or convictions from the Court Clerk in the community where the incident(s) occurred.
5. Applicant must possess a baccalaureate or master's degree in Social Work from a college or university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
6. Applicants must pass the appropriate examination given by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB).
7. Applicant must pass state and federal background checks

FINAL APPROVAL FOR LICENSURE WILL OCCUR AFTER RECEIPT OF THE BACKGROUND CHECK REPORTS.

Incomplete Applications

An application for licensure, which is not complete within nine (9) months, will be considered closed. The Board will not refund any fee related to an application, which has closed.

Decision Tree for type of LSW Licensure

Narrative explanation of LSW License Types

There are several types of LSW licensure

Initial LSW license

• No prior licensure in the field of social work
• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Social Work from a CSWE accredited program.

Provisional "A" license Temporary 90-day License

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Social Work from a CSWE accredited program.
• Has not taken appropriate licensing exam through ASWB.

Note: Can be granted a "provisional license" for a period of ninety (90) days once Board has given exam approval. The exam must be passed within sixty (60) days. This license is valid for one attempt of the exam only and an applicant may be issued only one provisional license.

Provisional "B" license

• Has a Bachelor's degree or Master's degree in a related field of study (see below).
• Is currently enrolled in a Social Work program accredited by CSWE.
• Current college / university has verified enrollment in a Social Work program and verifies a program of study that will allow the student to obtain his / her degree in Social Work within three (3) years.

Note: Can be granted a "provisional license." This license will be valid for up to three (3) years OR graduation, whichever comes first.

Related Field Definition - "Related field" means a degree that includes a curriculum in (1) theories or concepts of human behavior and the social environment, (2) methods used in the practice of social work for intervention and the delivery of services, (3) research concerning social work, including, without limitation, the evaluation of programs or practices, (4) management, administration or social policy; (5) ethics in the practice of social work.

Licensure by Endorsement

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Social Work from a CSWE accredited program.
• Holds an equivalent, current, valid and unrestricted non-clinical license to engage in social work in another state(s).

Note: Verification of current licensure is submitted by each state directly to the Board. Nevada document can be found on the Board's website at http://socwork.nv.gov/licensees/LicNewApp/.

Applications and Fees

Credit or Debit card payment must be remitted at time of application submission.

License Fee Schedule

Application Fee	$ 50.00
Initial license Fee	$ 125.00
"Endorsed" license - Additional Fee	$ 125.00
"Provisional" license - Additional Fee	$ 93.75

Armed Forces Discount on License fee (50% reduction in initial license fee)

Applicant has verified eligibility as an active member of, or the spouse of an active member of the Armed Forces of the United States; is a veteran or a veteran's surviving spouse. Approved verification information can be found be found on the Board's website at: http://socwork.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/socworknvgov/content/licensees/Attachment2.pdf.

Fingerprint Waiver Document

Please printout and complete the Fingerprint Waiver as this will be a required document in your application, if it has been more than 6 months since your last background check with the board. Fingerprint Waiver form.