In South Carolina, the credentialing and licensure requirements for Social Workers are governed by the South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners. Below are the details for various credentials, licensure renewal requirements, and associated costs.

Credentials

1. Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW)
   • Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program.
   • Examination: Pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Bachelor’s exam.
2. Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
   • Requirements: Master’s degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program.
   • Examination: Pass the ASWB Master’s exam.
3. Licensed Independent Social Worker-Clinical Practice (LISW-CP)
   • Requirements:
     • Master’s degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program.
     • 3,000 hours of post-master’s supervised clinical Social Work experience within no less than two years and no more than four years.
     • Supervision by a LISW-CP.
   • Examination: Pass the ASWB Clinical exam.
4. Licensed Independent Social Worker-Advanced Practice (LISW-AP)
   • Requirements:
     • Master’s degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program.
     • 3,000 hours of post-master’s supervised advanced Social Work experience within no less than two years and no more than four years.
     • Supervision by a LISW-AP.
   • Examination: Pass the ASWB Advanced Generalist exam.

Licensure Renewal

• Renewal Period: Every two years. All Social Work licenses in South Carolina must be renewed biennially (every two years), with the renewal date being December 31 of every even-numbered year.
• Continuing Education:
  • 40 hours of continuing education (CE) for LISW-CP and LISW-AP, including 20 hours in clinical content for LISW-CP.
  • 30 hours of CE for LMSW.
  • 20 hours of CE for LBSW.
• Renewal Process: Submit proof of CE, complete renewal application, and pay renewal fees.

Costs and Fees

• Initial Application Fees:
  • LBSW: $45
  • LMSW: $45
  • LISW-CP: $70
  • LISW-AP: $70
• Exam Fees:
  • ASWB Bachelor’s Exam: $230
  • ASWB Master’s Exam: $230
  • ASWB Clinical Exam: $260
  • ASWB Advanced Generalist Exam: $260
• Renewal Fees:
  • LBSW: $90
  • LMSW: $90
  • LISW-CP: $130
  • LISW-AP: $130
• Late Renewal Fees: Additional $50 if renewed after the deadline but within the grace period.
• Continuing Education Provider Fees (if applicable):
  • Application for approval of CE program: $50 per program.

These requirements ensure that social workers in South Carolina maintain a high standard of professional practice and continue their education to stay current with developments in the field.

Continuing education (CE) requirements for Social Workers in South Carolina are established by the South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners.

These requirements ensure that Social Workers remain current with the latest practices, knowledge, and ethical standards in their field. Here is a detailed overview of the CE requirements for each type of licensure:

General Requirements

• Reporting Period: Every two years, coinciding with the licensure renewal period. All Social Work licenses in South Carolina must be renewed biennially (every two years), with the renewal date being December 31 of every even-numbered year.
• Documentation: Social workers must keep documentation of completed CE activities for at least three years following the renewal period.
• Approved Providers: CE activities must be provided or approved by recognized organizations such as the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), ASWB, and other relevant professional organizations like Agents of Change Continuing Education.

Specific Requirements by License Type

1. Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW)
   • CE Hours Required: 20 hours every two years.
   • Content Areas: CE activities should cover topics relevant to Social Work practice, ethics, and professional development.
2. Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
   • CE Hours Required: 30 hours every two years.
   • Content Areas: CE activities should be pertinent to Social Work practice at the master’s level, including ethics, clinical practice, and advanced Social Work topics.
3. Licensed Independent Social Worker-Clinical Practice (LISW-CP)
   • CE Hours Required: 40 hours every two years.
   • Specific Requirements: At least 20 of the 40 hours must be in clinical content areas.
   • Content Areas: CE activities should focus on clinical practice, including diagnosis, treatment, clinical interventions, and ethics.
4. Licensed Independent Social Worker-Advanced Practice (LISW-AP)
   • CE Hours Required: 40 hours every two years.
   • Content Areas: CE activities should address advanced Social Work practice, policy, administration, and ethics.

Additional Requirements

• Ethics: At least 5 hours of the total CE hours for each licensure type must be dedicated to ethics education.
• Documentation: Social Workers must provide certificates of completion or other verification for each CE activity when requested by the Board.
• Audit: The Board may conduct random audits to ensure compliance with CE requirements. Licensees selected for an audit will need to submit proof of their CE activities.

Examples of Acceptable CE Activities

• Workshops and Seminars: Attending live presentations, either in-person or virtually.
• Online Courses: Completing accredited online courses related to Social Work.
• Professional Conferences: Participating in professional conferences with sessions relevant to social work.
• Publication: Publishing articles, books, or research papers in professional journals.
• Teaching: Teaching courses or workshops in Social Work, provided they are new content and not repeated.