Arkansas Social Work Licensure Renewal Dates and CE Requirements

Navigating Social Work licensure in Arkansas requires a thorough understanding of the renewal process, continuing education requirements, and the various credentials available to practitioners.

As a profession dedicated to community well-being, Social Work in Arkansas is governed by specific standards and regulations to ensure that professionals are well-prepared, both in terms of knowledge and ethical practice.

This blog post details the licensure renewal process, highlights the essential dates and fees, and explores the various types of credentials that mental health practitioners can pursue in the state. Whether you are a Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW), a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) gaining experience, or a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) keen on maintaining your status, this guide serves as a comprehensive resource.

Did you know? Agents of Change Continuing Education offers Unlimited Access to 150+ CE courses for one low annual fee to meet your state’s requirements for Continuing Education credits.

We’ve helped thousands of Social Workers with Continuing Education, learn more here about Agents of Change and claim your 5 FREE CEUs!

1) Key Arkansas Social Work Licensure Renewal Dates

In Arkansas, Social Workers can obtain three main types of licensure, each with specific requirements and responsibilities:

1. Licensed Social Worker (LSW)

Educational Requirement: Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program.
Application Process:
- Submit an application to the Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board (SWLB).
- Complete a criminal background check.
- Pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Bachelor’s exam ($230 fee).
- Receive a provisional LSW license to practice while awaiting exam results.
Scope of Practice: Basic generalist practice including assessment, case management, non-clinical counseling, advocacy, and program administration under supervision.

2. Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)

Educational Requirement: Master’s degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program.
Application Process:
- Submit an application and pay the $100 fee (plus $5.50 for online submission).
- Complete a criminal background check.
- Pass the ASWB Master’s exam ($230 fee).
Scope of Practice: Advanced skills including mediation, treatment planning, diagnoses, and clinical services under supervision.

3. Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW)

Educational Requirement: Master’s degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program.
Experience Requirement: 4,000 hours of post-master’s supervised social work experience over a minimum of two years.
Application Process:
- Submit an application and pay the $100 fee (plus $5.50 for online submission).
- Complete a criminal background check.
- Pass the ASWB Clinical exam ($260 fee).
Scope of Practice: Independent practice including clinical and non-clinical services, supervision of LSWs and LMSWs, and private practice.

Licensure Renewal

Renewal Frequency: Licenses must be renewed every two years, and the renewal must be completed by the last day of the month when the license was originally issued.
Renewal Fee: $80.
Continuing Education: 48 hours of continuing education (CE) required per renewal period, with specific limits on the types of CE activities (e.g., maximum of 10 hours for presentations, 20 hours for online courses) (Arkansas Department of Health)

Fees Overview

LSW Application Fee: $100 + $5.50 online fee.
LMSW Application Fee: $100 + $5.50 online fee.
LCSW Application Fee: $100 + $5.50 online fee.
ASWB Exam Fees: $230 for Bachelor’s and Master’s exams; $260 for Clinical exam.
Renewal Fee: $80.

Agents of Change Continuing Education offers Unlimited Access to 150+ CE courses for one low annual fee to meet Arkansas’ requirements for Continuing Education credits.

2) Arkansas Social Work Continuing Education Requirements

In Arkansas, Social Workers are required to complete continuing education (CE) to renew their licenses every two years. Here are the detailed requirements for CE:

General Requirements

Total CE Hours: Social workers must complete 48 hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal period.
Content Areas: CE hours must cover various areas relevant to Social Work practice, including ethics, clinical skills, and other professional development topics.

Specific Limits and Categories

Ethics: A minimum of 3 hours must be dedicated to ethics-related courses.
Face-to-Face Instruction: At least 20 hours must be earned through face-to-face instruction.
Online Courses: A maximum of 20 hours can be obtained through online courses.
Presentation and Manuscript Preparation: A maximum of 10 hours can be earned by presenting at workshops or preparing professional manuscripts.
Self-Study: Self-study programs are accepted but must not exceed the limit of 20 hours.

Acceptable CE Activities

Workshops, Seminars, and Conferences: Attendance at workshops, seminars, and conferences relevant to Social Work.
Academic Courses: Relevant coursework from accredited institutions.
Online Programs: Online courses and webinars that are pre-approved by the Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board or relevant accrediting bodies like Agents of Change Continuing Education.
Professional Presentations: Preparing and presenting professional material at workshops or conferences.
Publications: Authoring professional manuscripts or articles.

Documentation and Reporting

Proof of Attendance: Social Workers must keep records of their CE activities, including certificates of completion, transcripts, or other proof of attendance.
Random Audits: The Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board may conduct random audits to verify compliance with CE requirements. Social workers selected for audit will need to provide documentation of their completed CE hours.

Renewal Process

Renewal Fee: $80, payable every two years.
Renewal Deadline: Licenses must be renewed by the last day of the month in which the license was originally issued.
Submission of Documentation: Documentation of CE hours must be submitted as part of the renewal application.

Agents of Change Continuing Education is a great way to meet Arkansas’ CE requirements and track your completed CEUs, with over 150 courses that meet these requirements!

Agents of Change, #1919, is approved as an ACE provider to offer Social Work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit.

3) FAQs – Arkansas Social Work Licensure Renewal and CEUs

Q: What are the continuing education requirements for Social Workers in Arkansas?

A: In Arkansas, Social Workers must complete 48 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years to renew their licenses. Specific requirements include:

Ethics: At least 3 hours must focus on ethics.
Face-to-Face Instruction: A minimum of 20 hours must be from face-to-face instruction.
Online Courses: A maximum of 20 hours can be earned through online courses.
Presentation and Manuscript Preparation: Up to 10 hours can be obtained from presenting workshops or preparing professional manuscripts.
Self-Study: Self-study programs are accepted but are limited to 20 hours. Documentation of completed CE hours is required for renewal, and the Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board may conduct random audits to ensure compliance (Arkansas Department of Health)

Q: What is the process to obtain a Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) credential in Arkansas?

A: To become an LCSW in Arkansas, follow these steps:

Educational Requirement: Obtain a Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program.
Supervised Experience: Complete 4,000 hours of post-master’s supervised Social Work experience over a minimum of two years.
Application: Submit the LCSW application to the Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board along with a $100 fee (additional $5.50 if applying online).
Background Check: Complete a criminal background check.
Exam: Pass the ASWB Clinical exam, which costs $260. Once these steps are completed, you will be eligible to practice independently, provide clinical and non-clinical services, and supervise LSWs and LMSWs.

Q: How do I renew my Social Work license in Arkansas, and what are the fees involved?

A: Social Work licenses in Arkansas must be renewed every two years. The renewal process includes:

Completion of CE Requirements: 48 hours of continuing education must be completed during each renewal period.
Submission of Renewal Application: Renewal applications must be submitted by the last day of the month in which the license was originally issued.
Renewal Fee: The renewal fee is $80, payable via cashier’s check or money order (personal checks are not accepted). Ensure that you keep detailed records of your CE activities as documentation is required for renewal, and the Board may conduct random audits to verify compliance (Arkansas Department of Health)

Resources for CE: Agents of Change Continuing Education offers over 150 courses that meet Arkansas’ CE requirements. Regulatory boards have the final say on courses accepted for continuing education credit.

4) Conclusion

Navigating the path to becoming a licensed Social Worker in Arkansas is a multifaceted process that ensures practitioners are well-prepared to meet the needs of the communities they serve.

Understanding the different licensure levels—Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), and Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW)—is crucial for aligning one’s educational and professional goals. Each credential has distinct requirements and scopes of practice, emphasizing the importance of thorough preparation and commitment to continuous learning and ethical practice.

Continuing education plays a vital role in maintaining licensure and ensuring that Social Workers remain up-to-date with the latest developments in the field. With specific requirements for ethics training, face-to-face instruction, and limits on online courses and self-study programs, the Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board ensures that practitioners engage in diverse and substantive educational experiences. These measures not only enhance individual professional growth but also contribute to the overall quality of social services provided within the state.

Resources like Agents of Change Continuing Education provide accessible and varied learning opportunities for Social Workers to meet Continuing Education requirements. Learn more about Agents of Change Continuing Education.

We’ve helped thousands of Social Workers with their Continuing Education and want you to be next!

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► Learn more about the Agents of Change Continuing Education here: https://agentsofchangetraining.com

About the Instructor, Meagan Mitchell: Meagan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been providing Continuing Education for Social Workers for more than 10 years. From all of this experience helping others pass their exams, she created Agents of Change Continuing Education to help Social Workers stay up-to-date on the latest trends, research, and techniques.

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Disclaimer: This content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or clinical advice, diagnosis, or treatment

Arkansas Social Work Licensure Renewal Dates and CE Requirements