Social Work Licensure in Michigan

• Types of Social Work Licenses
• Social Work Licensure Forms and Applications
• Social Work Licensure Examination
• Michigan Social Work Continuing Education Requirements
• Look up your Michigan Social Work Licensure Number

Types of Social Work Licenses

In Michigan, your education, degree, hours and type of post graduate experience, supervision, and, depending on the kind of license, ability to pass an exam determine which license you will want to pursue.

The licensure designation after a person's name describes the range of activities she or he is licensed to perform:

LLBSW = Limited License Bachelor of Social Work

LBSW = Licensed Bachelor of Social Work

LLMSW = Limited License Master Social Worker

LMSW = Clinical and Macro Practice = Licensed Master's Social Worker with both clinical and macro practice specialty designations

LMSW Clinical Practice = Licensed Master's Social Worker with a clinical practice specialty designation.

LMSW Macro Practice = Licensed Master's Social Worker with a macro practice specialty designation

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Social Work Licensure Forms and Applications

Once you have earned a degree and are ready to apply what you have learned in professional practice as a social worker, you will want to apply for social work licensure.  The State of Michigan Health License contact number is (517) 335-0918 and their web site is Michigan Department of Community Health - Social Work.

Questions regarding the social work licensure process Contact the Department of Community Health Bureau of Health Professions.

Each application describes in detail what documentation you will need to provide to the Bureau of Health Professions.

• Master level social worker application
• Bachelor level social worker application

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Social Work Licensure Examination

Michigan State University School of Social Work offers a social Work licensure examination preparation course each fall and spring. To learn more about the preparation course please download the brochure.

To learn more about the actual licensure examinations in Michigan, (Masters level exams include the Clinical or Advanced Generalist exam) please visit: http://www.aswb.org/.

Upcoming Social Work License Exam Preparation

• December 4-5, 2009
  Lansing Community College
  West Campus
  5708 Cornerstone Drive
  Lansing, MI 48917 [Directions]
  Download Brochure (254 KB, PDF)
  Register Online Today!

Michigan Social Work Continuing Education Requirements:
The State of Michigan Department of Community Health web site states, "Bachelor's and Master's Social Workers will be required to complete 45 hours of continuing education in board approved activities during their 3 year renewal period. The first group that will have to verify completion of the 45 hours will be those who renew in 2009." Of the 45 required hours, one must be in Pain Management and five must be in Ethics. Social work continuing education hours are referred to as Continuing Education Contact Hours or CECH. Individuals will be responsible to maintain documentation of the names, dates, hours, and providers of all continuing education events they attend for four years post licensure renewal. Questions about licensure can be directed to: the Department of Community Health Bureau of Health Professions (517) 335-0918 or visit their web site at http://www.michigan.gov/healthlicense and click on “social work “.

Michigan State School of Social work became an Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) Provider (No. 1136).  Most states, including Michigan, accept ASWB ACE approved continuing education programs. Social workers outside of Michigan are encouraged to check with their State Social Work Boards to determine if ASWB ACE Programs are accepted in their state. To learn more about ASWB, ACE, click here.

Michigan State University School of Social Work is a participating member of the Michigan Social Work Continuing Education Collaborative. Michigan Board of Social Work Examiners charged The Continuing Education Collaborative with the responsibility to ensure the quality of all continuing education programs sponsored for Michigan's social workers and to conduct activities that will help them meet their defined education needs. To learn more about the collaborative, please visit www.socialworkcec.com

Michigan State University is committed to providing continuing education for social workers in Michigan. Please contact us with your suggestions: swkce@msu.edu

In April 2004, State of Michigan passed Public Act 61 requiring social workers practicing in the State of Michigan to be licensed. In order to practice as a social worker in Michigan, one must meet specific criteria and become licensed as a bachelors social worker or masters social worker. To view, the Social Work Licensure Law P.A. 61 of 2004, FAQ's, download application packets, learn about the State Board of Social Work Examiners, and obtain additional information, visit the Michigan Department of Community Health Web Site