Professional Licensure for Social Work
Accreditation
The UCCS Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work are both accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation.
Accreditation of a baccalaureate or master’s social work program by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of program quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals and the Commission on Accreditation has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.
Accreditation applies to all program sites and program delivery methods of an accredited program. Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.
For more information about social work accreditation, you may contact Accreditation.
Licensure Information
Given that social work licensure is typically required to practice as social worker, particularly at the MSW level, it is important that students know the licensing requirements in the state or location in which they intend to practice. The requirements for licensure are determined by the social work board of the state in question, and they vary by state. Because of variability in state regulations, and due to the fact that we have not yet completed CSWE’s accreditation process, UCCS cannot guarantee that our BSW and MSW programs will fulfill licensure requirements in students’ desired locations of practice. This webpage is dedicated to ensuring that current and potential BSW and MSW students can easily access information about licensure requirements in various locations.
The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) is the association of boards that regulates social work and serves as an additional resource for students who have questions about licensing. The ASWB features an excellent website where you can compare Social Work Licensure Requirements for all of the jurisdictions in the United States, the US protectorates, and in Canada.
Licensure in Colorado
Students who graduate from the UCCS MSW program are eligible for social work licensure in Colorado.
There is no Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)-level licensing in the state of Colorado. As a CSWE-accredited program, BSW graduates qualify to practice social work in some settings without a license.
Please review the licensure requirements on the Colorado State Board of Social Work Examiners’ webpage.
The Colorado National Association of Social Workers also has excellent information on their SWC, LSW, & LCSW Licensure webpage.
You may contact the Colorado State Board of Social Work Examiners with questions directly at (303) 894-7800 and/or dora_mentalhealthboard@state.co.us.
Licensure Outside of Colorado
Alabama’s State Board of Social Work Examiners website
Telephone: (334) 242-5860; (888) 879-3672
You can use this online contact form to submit electronic inquiries to the Alabama State Board.
Alaska’s Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing website
Telephone: (907) 465-2551
Email: SocialWorkExaminers@Alaska.Gov
Arizona’s Board of Behavioral Health Examiners website
Telephone: (602) 542-1882
Email: information@azbbhe.us
Arkansas’ Social Work Licensing Board website
Telephone: (501) 372-5071
E-mail: swlb@arkansas.gov
Delaware’s Division of Professional Regulation website
Telephone: (302) 744-4500
Email: customerservice.dpr@delaware.gov
Georgia’s Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists website
Telephone: (844) 753-7825.
To our knowledge, Georgia’s state board does not provide an email address or contact form for submission of electronic inquiries.
Hawaii’s Professional and Vocational Licensing Division website
Telephone: (808) 586-3000
Email: pvl@dcca.hawaii.gov
Idaho’s Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses website
Telephone: (208) 334-3233
Email: ibol@ibol.idaho.gov
Indiana’s Professional Licensing Agency website
You may contact the State Information Center with inquiries: (800) 457-8283
Iowa’s Board of Social Work website
Bureau of Professional Licensure
Telephone: (515) 281-0254
Email: PLPublic@idph.iowa.gov
Kansas’ Behavioral Sciences Regulator Board website
700 SW Harrison St, Suite 420
Topeka, KS 66603
Telephone: (785) 296-3240
You may use this online contact form to submit an electronic inquiry to the Kansas Board.
Kentucky’s Board of Social Work website
Telephone: (502) 564-2350
Email contacts: florence.huffman@ky.gov; lisaa.turner@ky.gov
Louisiana’s State Board of Social Work Examiners website
Telephone: 225-756-3470
Email: socialwork@labswe.org
Maine’s Professional and Financial Regulation website
Telephone: 207-624-8603
Email: socwkr.board@maine.gov
Maryland’s Department of Health website
Telephone: 1-877-526-2541
TDD: 1-800-542-4964
Email: mdh.socialwork@maryland.gov
Massachusetts’ Board of Registration of Social Workers website
Telephone: 617-701-8681
Email: swboard@mass.gov
Minnesota’s Board of Social Work website
Telephone: (612) 617-2100; (888) 234-1320
Email: Social.work@state.mn.us
Mississippi’s State Board of Examiners for Social Works and Marriage & Family Therapists website
Telephone: (601) 987-6806
Email: Info@swmft.ms.gov
Missouri’s Division of Professional Registration website
Telephone: (573) 751-0885
Email: lcsw@pr.mo.gov
Nebraska’s Department of Health and Human Services website
Telephone: (402) 471-2115
Nevada’s Board of Examiners for Social Workers website
Phone: (775) 688-2555
Email: slowery@besw.nv.gov
New Hampshire’s Board of Mental Health Practice website
Telephone: (603) 271-2152
To our knowledge, the NH Board does provide contact information for electronic inquiries.
New Jersey’s Division of Consumer Affairs website
Telephone: (973) 504-6495
E-mail: SocialWork@dca.njoag.gov
New Mexico’s Regulations and Licensing Department website
Telephone: (505)476-4622
E-mail: SocialWorkBoard@state.nm.us
North Carolina’s Social Work and Certification Licensure Board website
Contacts:
Kenia Frazier, Credentialing Specialist - 336-625-1679, Ext: 221; ktabon@ncswboard.org
Karen Garner, Licensing Specialist - 336-625-1679, Ext: 222; kgarner@ncswboard.org
Ohio’s Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board
General contact
Telephone: (614) 466-0912
E-mail: cswmft.info@cswb.ohio.gov
Specific contact
You may contact Ebony Turner at 614-387-6038 or ebony.turner@cswb.ohio.gov with questions about licensing in Ohio.
Oklahoma’s Board of Licensed Social Workers website
Telephone: (405) 521-3712
Email: james.marks@oswb.ok
Oregon’s Board of Licensed Social Workers website
Telephone: (503) 378-5735
Email: oregon.blsw@oregon.gov
Rhode Island’s Department of Health website
Telephone: (401) 222-5960
Email: doh.elicense@health.ri.gov
South Carolina’s Labor Licensing Regulation website
Telephone: (803) 896-4664
South Dakota’s Board of Social Work Examiners website
Telephone: (605) 642-1600
Email: proflic@rushmore.com
Tennessee’s Department of Health website
Telephone: 615-741-5735; 1-800-778-4123
Texas’ State Board of Social Work Examiners website
Telephone: (512) 305-7700
Utah’s Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing website
Telephone: (801) 530-6628
Telephone, toll-free in Utah: (866) 275-3675
Email: jzaelit@utah.gov (Bureau Manager, Jennifer Falkenrath)
Email: jennyajohnson@utah.gov (Board Secretary, Jennifer Johnson)
Vermont’s Professional Regulation website
Telephone: 802-828-2390
Email: diane.lafaille@vermont.gov (Diane LaFaille)
West Virginia’s Board of Social Work website
Telephone: (304) 400-4980
Email: Admin@wvsocialworkboard.org
Wisconsin’s Department of Safety and Professional Services website
Telephone: (608) 266-2112
Email: dsps@wi.gov
Wyoming’s Mental Health Professionals Licensing Board website
Telephone: (307) 777-3628
Email: wyomhplb@wyo.gov
Puerto Rico’s Department of State website
Telephone: (787) 722-2122 X4309
Email: juntadetrabajosocial@estado.gobierno.pr
(Contact: Mrs. Joselle M. Vázquez López, Board Official)
American Samoa’s Department of Human and Social Services website
Telephone: (684) 633-4116
National Association of Social Workers – Guam Chapter
Contacts for the Guam Board of Social Work Members:
Aja C. Ramos, Chairperson (ajac.ramos@gmail.com)
Angelina-Marie S. Cruz, Vice Chairperson (amscruz@gdoe.net)
MaeFe Muyco, Secretary (maefe.muyco@gmail.com)
Pete A. Meno, Treasurer (pmeno@guamcourts.org)
To our knowledge, there is no online link to a regulatory licensing body in the Federated States of Micronesia.
The Health Care Professions Licensing Board (HCPLB) of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is referenced in various places as the governing body for licensing in the Northern Marina Islands, but there is no apparent working link available for this board online.
To our knowledge, there is no online link to a regulatory licensing body in the Federated States of Micronesia.