The Requirements for a Social Worker License in South Carolina

In South Carolina, social workers can apply for a license to practice in the state on four different levels. The duties the social worker can perform depend on the education level of the applicant. Social workers help clients cope with problems and issues in their lives, such as substance abuse, domestic violence, illness, unemployment and disability.

Baccalaureate Level Social Worker

South Carolina social workers with a Bachelor’s degree education can only work in an agency setting and may not practice as an independent social worker. Social workers at this level may provide assessment, mediation, evaluation and counseling for clients. To qualify for a license in South Carolina as a baccalaureate-level social worker, the applicant must complete an accredited Bachelor’s degree program in social work and pass the Bachelor’s examination provided by the Association of Social Work Boards.

Master Level Social Worker

A master-level social worker may perform the duties of a baccalaureate social worker, as well as clinical practice under supervision in a medical or government agency setting. To qualify as a licensed master social worker in South Carolina, the applicant must have a Master’s or doctorate degree in an accredited social work program. In addition, the social worker must pass the Association of Social Work Board’s examination at the master level.

Independent Clinical Social Worker

Independent clinical social workers in South Carolina may perform the duties of a master-level social worker. In addition, the clinical social worker may provide advanced clinical services, such as the assessment and diagnosis of mental, behavioral and emotional disorders. Independent clinical social workers may not perform the duties of an advanced independent social worker. Applicants for an independent clinical social worker license must complete a Master’s or doctorate degree in social work. In addition, the applicant must complete 45 hours of coursework in psychopathology and psychodiagnostics. The education program must also include 15 hours of professional ethics. An independent clinical social worker must obtain the master level social worker license and complete 3,000 hours of social work practice. The applicant must complete the experience requirement in a minimum of two years and a maximum of four years. Licensure as a clinical level social worker also requires the applicant to pass the Association of Social Work Board’s clinical examination.

Independent Advanced Social Worker

Independent advanced social workers perform duties, such as policy development, community organizing, social work program administration, client education and the supervision of employees. Independent advanced social workers may not perform the duties of a clinical social worker independently. Social workers at this level may perform the duties of a masters-level social worker. Applicants must have a Master’s or doctorate degree in social work and at least 90 hours of coursework in advanced practice social work and 15 hours of ethics coursework. The South Carolina board requires 3,000 hours of supervised practice as a social worker after obtaining a master-level social worker license. The experience must occur between two and four years. To obtain a license as an advanced practice social worker, the applicant must pass the advanced generalist examination.

References

• South Carolina Legislature: Title 40 - Professions and Occupations Chapter 63. Social Workers
• South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation: Requirements for Baccalaureate Level Licensure
• South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation: Requirements for Master Level Licensure
• South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation: Requirements for Independent Level Licensure Clinical Practice
• South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation: Requirements for Independent Level Licensure Advanced Generalist Practice
• Association for Social Work Boards; ASWB Examination Candidate Handbook; February 2011