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Virginia Social Work Licensure Renewal Dates and CE Requirements

Virginia Social Work Licensure Renewal Dates and CE Requirements

Navigating Social Work licensure in Virginia requires a clear understanding of the renewal process, continuing education requirements, and the various credentials available to practitioners. Social Work in Virginia is founded on a commitment to community well-being and is regulated by specific standards and regulations to ensure practitioners are well-equipped in both knowledge and ethical practice.

This blog post explains the licensure renewal process, outlines 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 Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), a Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW) gaining experience, or a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) 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 Virginia Social Work Licensure Renewal Dates

A casual female social worker meeting with the community outside in Virginia. The scene showcases the social worker dressed in business casual attire, engaging warmly with a diverse group of community members in a park setting, surrounded by lush greenery and a sunny sky. The image captures a sense of collaboration, support, and community engagement.

In Virginia, Social Workers must meet specific credentialing and licensure requirements to practice legally. Here is an overview of the necessary credentials, licensure renewal details, and associated costs and fees.

Credentials for Social Workers in Virginia

  1. Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW)
    • Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program.
    • Successful completion of the ASWB Bachelor’s exam.
  2. Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
    • Requires a Master’s degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program.
    • Successful completion of the ASWB Master’s exam.
  3. Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
    • Requires a Master’s degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program.
    • Completion of at least 3,000 hours of supervised clinical Social Work practice.
    • Successful completion of the ASWB Clinical exam.

Licensure Renewal Details

  • Renewal Period: All Social Work licenses in Virginia must be renewed biennially by June 30 of each even-numbered year. This applies to Licensed Baccalaureate Social Workers (LBSW), Licensed Master Social Workers (LMSW), and Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)​ (VA Health Professions)​​ (Social Worker License)​.
  • Continuing Education (CE) Requirements:
    • LBSW and LMSW: 30 hours of CE every two years.
    • LCSW: 30 hours of CE every two years, including 6 hours in ethics.

Costs and Fees

Initial Licensure Application Fees

  • LBSW: $100 application fee
  • LMSW: $115 application fee
  • LCSW: $165 application fee

Examination Fees

  • ASWB Bachelor’s Exam: $230
  • ASWB Master’s Exam: $230
  • ASWB Clinical Exam: $260

License Renewal Fees

  • LBSW: $65 biennial renewal fee
  • LMSW: $90 biennial renewal fee
  • LCSW: $135 biennial renewal fee

Late Renewal Fees

  • LBSW: Additional $25
  • LMSW: Additional $30
  • LCSW: Additional $40

Other Fees

  • Inactive License Fee: $25
  • Reinstatement Fee: $300

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

For more detailed information, please visit: Virginia Board of Social Work​

2) Virginia Social Work Continuing Education Requirements

A casual female social worker meeting with community members indoors in Virginia. The scenes show a relaxed atmosphere in a community center or office setting, capturing a sense of collaboration, support, and community engagement.

In Virginia, the continuing education (CE) requirements for Social Workers are designed to ensure that professionals maintain and enhance their skills and knowledge throughout their careers. Here are the detailed requirements:

General Requirements

  1. Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW) and Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
    • 15 hours of CE every two years.
    • At least 3 hours must pertain to ethics, laws, or regulations governing the practice of Social Work.
  2. Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
    • 30 hours of CE every two years.
    • At least 6 hours must pertain to ethics, laws, or regulations governing the practice of Social Work.

Acceptable CE Activities

CE activities must be related to the practice of Social Work or another behavioral health field. Activities are divided into two categories:

  1. Category I: Formally Organized Learning Activities
    • At least 20 hours for LCSWs and 10 hours for LBSWs and LMSWs must be from this category.
    • Includes:
      • Academic courses from accredited universities or colleges.
      • Workshops, seminars, conferences, or courses offered by approved organizations (e.g., National Association of Social Workers, Association of Social Work Boards).
      • Programs provided by universities or accredited institutions.
  2. Category II: Individual Professional Activities
    • A maximum of 10 hours for LCSWs and 5 hours for LBSWs and LMSWs can be from this category.
    • Includes:
      • Publishing professional articles or books.
      • Teaching or presenting courses or workshops.
      • Supervising graduate students.
      • Volunteer services delivering Social Work without compensation (3 hours of volunteer service equates to 1 hour of CE credit).
      • Independent study (e.g., reading professional books or articles).

Extensions and Exemptions

  • The board may grant an extension of up to one year for completing CE requirements due to circumstances like temporary disability, military service, or declared disasters.
  • Licensees can request exemptions for parts of the CE requirements under similar circumstances.

Record Keeping

  • Licensees must maintain documentation of their completed CE activities for at least two years following the renewal period.
  • The board may audit licensees to ensure compliance with CE requirements.

Sources

For more detailed information and updates, please refer to: Virginia Board of Social Work

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

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

A: In Virginia, Licensed Baccalaureate Social Workers (LBSW) and Licensed Master Social Workers (LMSW) are required to complete 15 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years, with at least 3 of those hours focused on ethics, laws, or regulations.

Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) must complete 30 hours of CE every two years, including at least 6 hours in ethics, laws, or regulations. CE activities must be relevant to Social Work or another behavioral health field and can be from formally organized learning activities or individual professional activities.

For more details, visit the Virginia Board of Social Work – Continuing Education Requirements.

Q: What are the fees associated with obtaining and renewing a Social Work license in Virginia?

A: The initial licensure application fees in Virginia are as follows:

  • Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW): $100
  • Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW): $115
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): $165

Renewal fees are:

  • LBSW: $55 biennial renewal fee
  • LMSW: $65 biennial renewal fee
  • LCSW: $90 biennial renewal fee

Late renewal incurs additional fees:

  • LBSW: $20
  • LMSW: $20
  • LCSW: $30

For a complete list of fees, see the Virginia Board of Social Work – Fees.

Q: How can I apply for licensure as a Social Worker in Virginia?

A: To apply for licensure in Virginia, you must complete the appropriate application for your desired credential:

  • Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW)
  • Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

The application process involves submitting proof of your educational qualifications, passing the relevant ASWB exam, and paying the application fee. For LCSW licensure, you must also document completion of at least 3,000 hours of supervised clinical practice.

Detailed application instructions and forms can be found on the Virginia Board of Social Work – Apply for a License.

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

4) Conclusion

Navigating the Social Work licensure process in Virginia involves understanding the various credentials available, meeting continuing education requirements, and adhering to renewal procedures. The structured framework ensures that Social Workers maintain high standards of knowledge and ethical practice, vital for their role in enhancing community well-being.

By familiarizing themselves with the details of licensure application, renewal processes, and associated costs, Social Workers can effectively manage their professional responsibilities and continue to provide quality services.

The continuing education requirements in Virginia are designed to keep Social Workers up-to-date with the latest developments in their field, ensuring they are well-equipped to handle the complexities of their work. With specified hours dedicated to ethics and laws, these requirements emphasize the importance of ethical practice and adherence to regulatory standards.

The division of CE activities into formally organized learning and individual professional activities offers flexibility, allowing Social Workers to tailor their professional development to their specific interests and needs.

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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