by Rachel L. West, MSW, LMSW
SJS Staff Writer
Most states that have enacted title protection have decided that you can only legally call yourself a Social Worker if you hold a social work license. My problem with this is that in New York state the LMSW and LCSW only covers clinical work; who can do assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. There is no macro or community practice license in New York State or in most states for that matter. There for, if you choose to be a community practitioner (you focus on community organizing, public policy, etc) you don’t need to be licensed. If New York was to say you can only call yourself a Social Worker if you are licensed, as I said in the previous post, this would basically be defining Social Work as solely being about mental health counseling.
Now if I was an MSW who spent the past decade working in community practice and you all of a sudden tell me I’m not really a Social Worker because I opted not to go down the clinical road; I would be pissed beyond measure. What are your thoughts on this matter? Is title protection needed? If so how should we decided who gets to use the title of Social Worker?
Related reading: Why Aren’t All Social Workers Supported and Created Equal
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One must have a recognized social work degree whether BSW, MSW or both from an accredited university, be supervised within the profession for x amount of years and if they choose to do clinical work than they should be defined as a LSW – Licensed social worker once they pass a NATIONAL exam.
If a social worker is focusing on case mangement, policy, research, etc. than perhaps the RSW for registered social worker where one proves their education and work experience to a NATIONAL association.
I disagree Rachel, the MSW is not focused on clincal (client does not necessarily mean an individual) . In fact, it is the general license for macro practioners in NY. Wordy, I know, but I copied and pasted the current NYS educaiton law section covering this point. DIagnosis, “assessment based treatment plans, and independent psychotherpay are reserved for clincial social workers.
§ 7700. Introduction.
This article applies to the profession and practice of social work, the practice of licensed master social work and the practice of clinical social work, and to the use of the titles “licensed master social worker”, and “licensed clinical social worker”. The general provisions for all professions contained in article one hundred thirty of this title apply to this article.
§ 7701. Definitions.
Practice of licensed master social work.
The practice of licensed master social work shall mean the professional application of social work theory, principles, and the methods to prevent, assess, evaluate, formulate and implement a plan of action based on client needs and strengths, and intervene to address mental, social, emotional, behavioral, developmental, and addictive disorders, conditions and disabilities, and of the psychosocial aspects of illness and injury experienced by individuals, couples, families, groups, communities, organizations, and society.
Licensed master social workers engage in the administration of tests and measures of psychosocial functioning, social work advocacy, case management, counseling, consultation, research, administration and management, and teaching.
Licensed master social workers provide all forms of supervision other than supervision of the practice of licensed clinical social work as defined in subdivision two of this section.
Licensed master social workers practice licensed clinical social work in facility settings or other supervised settings approved by the department under supervision in accordance with the commissioner’s regulations.
Practice of clinical social work.
The practice of clinical social work encompasses the scope of practice of licensed master social work and, in addition, includes the diagnosis of mental, emotional, behavioral, addictive and developmental disorders and disabilities and of the psychosocial aspects of illness, injury, disability and impairment undertaken within a psychosocial framework; administration and interpretation of tests and measures of psychosocial functioning; development and implementation of appropriate assessment-based treatment plans; and the provision of crisis oriented psychotherapy and brief, short-term and long-term psychotherapy and psychotherapeutic treatment to individuals, couples, families and groups, habilitation, psychoanalysis and behavior therapy; all undertaken for the purpose of preventing, assessing, treating, ameliorating and resolving psychosocial dysfunction with the goal of maintaining and enhancing the mental, emotional, behavioral, and social functioning and well-being of individuals, couples, families, small groups, organizations, communities and society.
Diagnosis in the context of licensed clinical social work practice is the process of distinguishing, beyond general social work assessment, between similar mental, emotional, behavioral, developmental and addictive disorders, impairments and disabilities within a psychosocial framework on the basis of their similar and unique characteristics consistent with accepted classification systems.
Psychotherapy in the context of licensed clinical social work practice is the use of verbal methods in interpersonal relationships with the intent of assisting a person or persons to modify attitudes and behavior which are intellectually, socially, or emotionally maladaptive.
Development of assessment-based treatment plans in the context of licensed clinical social work practice refers to the development of an integrated plan of prioritized interventions, that is based on the diagnosis and psychosocial assessment of the client, to address mental, emotional, behavioral, developmental and addictive disorders, impairments and disabilities, reactions to illnesses, injuries, disabilities and impairments, and social problems.
§ 7702. Authorized practice and the use of the titles “licensed master social worker” and “licensed clinical social worker”.
In addition to the licensed social work services included in subdivisions one and two of section seventy-seven hundred one of this article, licensed master social workers and licensed clinical social workers may perform the following social work functions that do not require a license under this article, including but not limited to:
Serve as a community organizer, planner, or administrator for social service programs in any setting.
Provide supervision and/or consultation to individuals, groups, institutions and agencies.
Serve as a faculty member or instructor in an educational setting.
Plan and/or conduct research projects and program evaluation studies.
Maintain familiarity with both professional and self-help systems in the community in order to assist the client in those services when necessary.
Assist individuals or groups with difficult day to day problems such as finding employment, locating sources of assistance, organizing community groups to work on a specific problem.
Consult with other agencies on problems and cases served in common and coordinating services among agencies or providing case management.
Conduct data gathering on social problems.
Serve as an advocate for those clients or groups of clients whose needs are not being met by available programs or by a specific agency.
Assess, evaluate and formulate a plan of action based on client need.
Provide training to community groups, agencies, and other professionals.
Provide administrative supervision.
Practice of “licensed master social work” and use of the title “licensed master social worker” and designation “LMSW”.
Only a person licensed or exempt under this article shall practice “licensed master social work” as defined in subdivision one of section seventy-seven hundred one of this article.
Only a person licensed pursuant to subdivision one of section seventy-seven hundred four of this article shall use the title “licensed master social worker” or the designation “LMSW”.
Practice of “licensed clinical social work” and use of the title “licensed clinical social worker” and designation “LCSW”.
Only a person licensed or exempt under this article shall practice “licensed clinical social work” as defined in subdivision two of section seventy-seven hundred one of this article.
Only a person licensed pursuant to subdivision two of section seventy-seven hundred four of this article shall use the title “licensed clinical social worker” or the designation “LCSW”.
LMSWs in NY are allowed to carry out assessment, diagnoses and treatment under the supervision of an LCSW. My point was that Social Work should not be defined by clinical work.
If you enact title protection stating that someone can’t call themselves a social worker unless they hold either an LMSW or LCSW then someone with an MSW could no longer call themselves a social worker. So that would be saying that to call yourself a Social Worker one must be clinically or micro focused.
We had a whole debate on this issue with social work chats. The transcript is here http://www.socialworkhelper.com/2012/08/27/why-arent-all-social-workers-supported-and-created-equal/
I agree, it shouldnt’ be defined by clincal, and it is a very diverse field and it’s a mistake to narrowly define it. But I think the protection is for a licensed social worker, to ensure certain standard of education. An MSW is differnt than a BSW, same as a nurse practioner or a physican’s assistant is different the an MD. I think NASW seems to be largely clinically focused, and they shouldn’t be, but don’t see how that holds for scope of practice for an MSW. Many non-profit agenicies are almost entirely staffed (among the hgiher staff) by LMSW’s with few LCSW’s.
No one can call themselves an LMSW or an LCSW unless they hold those licenses. And I do get mad when I see job ads for a Social Worker but the educational requirement is an RN or LPN. That has to stop. But I don’t feel right telling an MSW who opted to stay in CM or community practice that they are not a social worker because they decided on a career path that did not require the LMSW or LCSW. One option is that the state could establish other types of Social Work Licensing. For example Michigan does have a license for macro social work. But I really feel that if title protection passes it needs to be based on education not licensing.
I also had the thought that maybe the degree or the licensing needs to change its name. Like you can’t call your self an lawyer or attorney until you pass the BAR exam. Before that you are someone that just has a Juris Doctorate.
Irioncially, I think this issue largley arised due to child welfare, and some horrible tragedies and bad press. There are many types of social work, but few “professional social workers” which indicates a certain degree of education and training.
In teaching, if you aren’t certified you have very limited areas to practice despite the degee…?? If the answer was easy we wouldn’t be having this conversation. 🙂
We do not have these issues here in Canada…..one can only be called a social worker if they have the BSW or MSW and register to become part of their provincial order-hence the ‘title protection.’
I have an MSW, but am not registered with my provincial social work order because I lack the French language that is required here in Quebec.
My job title is Social Service Staff, but when asked verbally-I say I am a social worker. I have an MSW and no one can take away a degree I earned.
When I was in the states I was a CSW in the state of NY and did therapy with children/families-very clincially oriented, but realized this was not my niche.
Social workers can be work in many different fields……
If we wish to be a respected profession where people earn a living, only licensed MSWs and BSWs can be allowed to retain title of “social worker.”
If we wished to be viewed as a bunch of volunteers who are not worth a salary, and as non-profesionals, no license or title protection is needed.
What do you all prefer? Because both cannot exist.
I agree title protection is needed but I disagree with the idea that only Licensed MSW are true social workers. There are plenty of professional jobs an MSW can do with out licensing. And I think we are way too obsessed with professionalism and proving ourselves.
In terms of salary and work conditions, that is not going to be solved by title protection. That is an advocacy issue. Social workers are good at advocating for everyone but ourselves. We need to get off our asses, unionize, and make them listen to us. #swunited
In Maryland, it is felony fraud, with penalities including fines and imprisonment, to practice social work without a license, even with an MSW or a BSW. I fully support it- people that practice Social Work without a license are a disgrace to the profession, and legally they are criminals.
If you want social worker to be a label applied to any helpful person doing good work in the community or with individuals, then licensure need not apply. But it also means specialized education and employment for “social workers” is meaningless- anyone could do it regardless of education. If you want Social Worker to reflect dedicated education and training for a trained helper, licensure is essential. LIcensure ensures accountabilty- social workers have had sex with clients, stolen money from clients, etc. Without licensure, they could continue to call themselves social workers, and the public would have no protection. (They may go to prison, but what if sex was consensual, and the money stolen was labled “fee for services”- no charges may apply, other than ethical, which courts don’t consider.) No respectable profession is unlicensed- not even barbers or beauticians. Because a license indicates quality; anyone can get a degree- passing an exam, have years of supervision- completely different. Real advocacy for our profession means strenghting and increasing the scope of licensure.
In NY and MSW is allowed to carry out pretty much anything that falls under community practice (community organizing, grant writing, political work, etc) as well as administrative duties, advocacy, and career counseling.
In Maryland, you can hold those jobs (though Board is pushing through a new law to prevent that) as long as you do not call yourself “Social Worker.” And I fully support that- licensing is accountability, and without that no profession is, well, professional. This is also a reason why social work salaries in Maryland are amongst the highest in the nation.
Michael-you are fortunate to be in Maryland then as many other states and provinces in Canada-salaries are low……
I do not believe one must be licensed to be a social worker, the BSW and/or MSW counts along with work experience and supervision by one who is licensed or certified-this seems to be the area that is confusing for some and perhaps where advocacy needs to come in by BSW and MSW’s.
Let’s not forget where our social work roots are – in community organizing and settlement houses – not psychology. I am a macro level practitioner. My role is to build voice and power with people, not to “treat” them. I am also a proponent of strength-based practice – both on the individual and community level. I am not licensed because I have not chosen to go down the clinical path, but I am an MSW.
I sat for my license exam 15 years ago; I had received my MSW in the management spcialization, not the clinical specialization, and I passed and received my LMSW. I’m not sure why anyone thinks the LMSW is solely a clinical license; there are no clinical supervision requirements to sit for the test, you simply have to have met the following requirements:
To be licensed as a licensed master social worker (LMSW) in New York State you must:
•be of good moral character as determined by the Department;
•be at least 21 years of age;
•meet education requirements;
•meet examination requirements; and
•complete coursework or training in the identification and reporting of child abuse offered by a New York State approved provider.
Yes, many of the people who hold LMSW’s are clinicians, but many re not, and I’m one of that second group. I do believe it is necessary to have licensing to protect the title of “social worker”, rather than simply having a degree; there is a level of oversight provided by the Office of the Professions that you don’t get if you just require people to have a degree.