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Minnesota Social Work Licensure Renewal Dates and CE Requirements

Minnesota Social Work Licensure Renewal Dates and CE Requirements

Navigating Social Work licensure in Minnesota necessitates a thorough grasp of the renewal process, continuing education requirements, and the different credentials available to practitioners. With a strong emphasis on community well-being, Social Work in Minnesota is governed by specific standards and regulations to ensure that professionals are well-prepared in terms of both knowledge and ethical practice.

This blog post details the licensure renewal process, highlights the key dates and fees, and examines the various types of credentials that mental health practitioners can pursue in the state.

Whether you are a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), a Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW) gaining experience, or a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) committed to 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 Minnesota Social Work Licensure Renewal Dates

A diverse female social worker meeting with the community in a Minnesota park. The social worker is dressed in casual attire and is seen engaging with a small group of diverse individuals, including families and children. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed, with the social worker showing empathy and actively listening to the community members. The background includes elements that indicate the setting is in Minnesota, such as a state flag or recognizable local landmarks. This visual captures the essence of community interaction and the important role of social workers in fostering well-being.

In Minnesota, Social Workers must navigate several licensure levels, each with distinct requirements. Here are the credentialing and licensure requirements, renewal details, and fees for Social Workers in the state:

Credentials and Licensure Levels

  1. Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
    • Education: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a CSWE-accredited program.
    • Examination: Pass the ASWB Bachelor Level Examination.
    • Application Fee: $60.
    • Fingerprint-Based Criminal Background Check (CBC): $33.25.
    • Renewal: Every two years with 40 hours of continuing education (CE).
    • License Fee: $93.50​.
  2. Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW)
    • Education: Master of Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program.
    • Examination: Pass the ASWB Master Level Examination.
    • Application Fee: $60.
    • CBC Fee: $33.25.
    • Renewal: Every two years with 40 hours of CE.
    • License Fee: $167.75​​.
  3. Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW)
    • Education: MSW with additional supervised non-clinical experience.
    • Supervision: 4,000 hours of supervised non-clinical practice with 100 hours of supervision.
    • Examination: Pass the ASWB Advanced Generalist Exam.
    • Application Fee: $60.
    • CBC Fee: $33.25.
    • Renewal: Every two years with 40 hours of CE.
    • License Fee: $223.25​​.
  4. Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)
    • Education: MSW with additional clinical supervised experience.
    • Supervision: 4,000 to 8,000 hours of clinical Social Work practice, including 200 hours of supervision.
    • Examination: Pass the ASWB Clinical Level Examination.
    • Application Fee: $60.
    • CBC Fee: $33.25.
    • Renewal: Every two years with 40 hours of CE.
    • License Fee: $263.25​​.

Licensure Renewal Details and Costs

  • Continuing Education: All licensed Social Workers must complete 40 hours of continuing education every two years, including specific hours dedicated to ethics.
  • Renewal Fees:
    • LSW: $93.50
    • LGSW: $167.75
    • LISW: $223.25
    • LICSW: $263.25​.

Fees for Specific Licenses

  • Application Fee: $60 for all levels.
  • CBC Fee: $33.25 for all levels.
  • Examination Fees:
    • ASWB Bachelor Level: $230.
    • ASWB Master Level: $230.
    • ASWB Advanced Generalist: $260.
    • ASWB Clinical Level: $260​.

These credentials ensure that Social Workers in Minnesota are well-qualified and adhere to rigorous professional standards. For further details and application forms, visit the Minnesota Board of Social Work’s official website.

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

2) Minnesota Social Work Continuing Education Requirements

A diverse female social worker meeting with community members indoors in Minnesota. The setting is a community center, featuring banners and posters related to social work and community support. The social worker is seen engaging with a small group of diverse individuals, including families and children, in a warm and welcoming environment. The atmosphere is friendly and collaborative, with the social worker showing empathy and actively listening to the community members. Elements indicating the setting is in Minnesota, such as a state flag or recognizable local posters, are present. This visual captures the essence of community engagement and the crucial role of social workers in fostering well-being.

In Minnesota, Social Workers are required to complete continuing education (CE) to maintain their licensure. The requirements are designed to ensure Social Workers remain competent and up-to-date with current practices. Here are the details:

General Requirements

  • Total Hours: 40 hours of continuing education every two years for all levels of licensure (LSW, LGSW, LISW, LICSW).
  • Ethics: At least 2 of the 40 hours must be in Social Work ethics.
  • Cultural Responsiveness: At least 4 of the 40 hours must focus on cultural responsiveness.
  • Independent Study: Up to 20 hours can be completed through independent study courses approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB).

Additional Specific Requirements

  • Licensed Independent Clinical Social Workers (LICSW): Must include at least 12 hours of clinical content within the 40-hour requirement.
  • Licensing Supervisors: Must complete 6 hours of supervision content as part of the 40-hour requirement.

Renewal Process

  • Renewal Period: Licenses must be renewed every two years by the last day of the licensee’s birth month.
  • Renewal Fees: Fees vary based on the type of license being renewed (LSW: $93.50, LGSW: $167.75, LISW: $223.25, LICSW: $263.25).

Approved Providers

The Minnesota Board of Social Work accepts courses from providers approved by the ASWB like Agents of Change Continuing Education. It’s essential to ensure that the courses taken are from approved providers to count towards the CE requirements.

By meeting these requirements, Social Workers in Minnesota can ensure they maintain their licensure and continue to provide high-quality, ethical, and culturally responsive services to their clients.

Agents of Change Continuing Education is a great way to meet Minnesota’s 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 – Minnesota Social Work Licensure Renewal and CEUs

Q: What are the continuing education requirements for maintaining a Social Work license in Minnesota?

A: In Minnesota, Social Workers are required to complete 40 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years. These hours must include:

  • At least 2 hours in Social Work ethics.
  • At least 4 hours in cultural responsiveness.
  • For Licensed Independent Clinical Social Workers (LICSW), at least 12 of the 40 hours must be in clinical content.
  • Licensing supervisors must complete 6 hours in supervision content as part of the 40-hour requirement.
  • Up to 20 hours can be completed through independent study from ASWB-approved providers.

Renewal must be done every two years by the last day of the licensee’s birth month. More details can be found on the Minnesota Board of Social Work’s official website​.

Q: Can I complete my continuing education hours through online courses?

A: Yes, Minnesota allows Social Workers to complete up to 20 hours of their required 40 hours of continuing education through independent study, which includes online courses like Agents of Change Continuing Education.

These courses must be from providers approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). Always verify that the course provider is ASWB-approved to ensure the credits will be accepted for license renewal​.

Q: What happens if I fail to complete the required continuing education hours before my license renewal date?

A: If you do not complete the required 40 hours of continuing education before your license renewal date, you risk not being able to renew your Social Work license. This could lead to practicing without a valid license, which is against state regulations and could result in disciplinary action.

If you find yourself unable to complete the CE requirements on time, it is crucial to contact the Minnesota Board of Social Work as soon as possible to discuss potential options or extensions. Detailed information on renewal and CE requirements can be found on the Minnesota Board of Social Work’s website​.

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

4) Conclusion

Navigating the licensure and continuing education requirements for Social Workers in Minnesota can initially seem daunting, but understanding the structured pathways and specific criteria helps simplify the process.

The state’s commitment to ensuring that Social Workers are well-prepared and ethically grounded is reflected in the detailed requirements for various licensure levels. From the foundational LSW to the advanced LICSW, each credential builds on a framework designed to enhance professional competence and ensure the well-being of the community.

The emphasis on continuing education, particularly in ethics and cultural responsiveness, underscores Minnesota’s dedication to maintaining high standards in Social Work practice. These requirements not only keep Social Workers updated with the latest in their field but also ensure that they are equipped to handle diverse and evolving challenges in their practice. The flexibility of completing a portion of these hours through independent study makes it more manageable for professionals to fulfill their obligations without compromising their work commitments.

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

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