Licensing Process for Internationally Educated Social Workers

Step 1: ISWDRES APPLICATION

The first step in the process is submitting an application to the International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service. It is highly recommended that you use the ISWDRES to evaluate your credentials in order to establish by the Council on Social Work Education that the institution where you received your social work education is an accredited program. You can find more information about the credential evaluation application process on iswdres@cswe.org. The first step is to complete the online screening form. The fee for this is $25.00. If you are found to have a social work degree/major, you will receive an email stating that the screening form was approved along with directions to fill out the Recognition Application form and pay the Recognition Application Fee. You may not access the recognition application form until you have received an email from this Service. You may expect to receive screening results within two weeks of posting.

Now you may fill out an ISWDRES application. The fee for this application varies by country, so it is best if you check the fee schedule on iswdres@cswe.org. The fee ranges from $100-$400 dollars. You must also provide additional information from your educational institution; for more information go to the web page iswdres@cswe.org.

Step 2: ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORK BOARDS Examination

You must now take the ASWB Exam. The process for this is the following: Obtain approval from the RI Board of Social Work Examiners to sit for the test. Next you must register for the LCSW or LICSW exam with ASWB which as of April, 2008, had a fee of $175 dollars, now you make an appointment to take the test. ASWB will mail you an authorization letter, which will contain your Authorization Number. You must not lose this letter, because you need it on the date of the examination. You can obtain more information on this process at the ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORK BOARDS website.

Congratulations on passing the ASWB exam!!

Step 3: RI Board of Social Work Examiners

You must now submit your application for review by the RI Board of Social Work Examiners. You may visit the following site for more information on the documents you must provide. The Office of Health Professionals Regulation Board of Examiners in Social Worker

The application fee is $170.00 for either LCSW or LICSW.

Social Work license is conferred by the State of Rhode Island!! Congratulations!!!!!

Licensing Process for Internationally Educated Social Workers