APPLICATION FOR MASTER SOCIAL WORKER: THE 411

To all MSW graduates interested in completing the Licensure exam, please refer to the following steps.

You are eligible to apply to sit the LMSW Examination once you have graduated from your MSW program.  Once you have graduated from your MSW program, go to website: http://www.sos.state.ga.us.  Follow the link to Professional Licensure.  Click Download Forms.  Scroll to find Prof. Coun. / Soc. Workers/ Marriage.  The Master Social Work Application is the third to last form.

Note: You will need to have Acrobat Reader to view the form.

Once you have pulled up the application, print out two copies.  The application is five pages.  The third page is your checklist to verify that all required information has been included prior to mailing the application packet.

Note: The Composite Board will NOT review incomplete applications.  Remember to employ the checklist on page three as a guide.

Steps

Part I:

Under Method Obtained by, check the box Examination.  The rest of the page should be completed with your identifying information.

Part II:

You will answer fourteen questions regarding your experience/education.  Read each question carefully.  Your accompanying transcript will illustrate your completion of the program and internship.

Part III:

Complete this section and remember to have a notary present.  You can receive a free notary at most local banks.

Place the completed application and a non-refundable check in an envelope addressed to P.O. Box 13446 Macon, GA 31208. You must contact your university for an official transcript of your MSW program to be sent to the Composite Board. The Composite Board meets every second Friday of the month.

Once you have been approved to take the test by the Composite Board, you will receive a confirmation letter in the mail. Enclosed will be a list of addresses and phone numbers of approved ACT testing sites throughout Georgia. They will likely also email you a scanned copy of this letter, so you may sign up for the exam online through ASWB before receiving a hard copy confirmation. The current exam fee can be found at http://sos.georgia.gov/plb/counselors/ . From the state website, proceed to Online Services, and click on Fee Schedule. The test will be taken on a computer, similar to the way the GRE for graduate school admissions is administered.

You can reschedule your exam from the original date free of charge, as long as it is done 48 hours in advance of the scheduled test date. Find the testing site most convenient to you, take proof of identity, and complete the test.  Good Luck!  The passing score for the exam is a 70 or higher.

Your official test scores will automatically be sent to the Composite Board for you upon passing the exam. Please allow four-six weeks to receive your license number and information concerning CEU credits from the Composite Board.

Test Prep

There are a host of test prep materials. It is helpful to practice test questions, and you can do so for free at www.socialworkexam.comand at www.aatbs.com We have also found “The Complete Guide to Social Work” to be comprehensive and helpful. It can be purchased here: http://www.socialworkguide.com/masters.asp . Social Work Examination Services Inc. also offers various study materials, and can be accessed at their website here: http://www.swes.net/home.html

For any further questions or clarification, check out www.sos.state.ga.us/plb/counselors or phone the Composite Board at 478-207-2440.