Social Worker Licensing Guide for the state of Mississippi
Social workers have been instrumental in providing help to distressed communities following social or environmental unrest of some sort. Their work ranges from providing mild rehabilitation and support to helping the people in these places to access much-needed public services. This means that they must have certain fundamental skills which they will normally gather through training and experience.
Mississippi Social Work License Options
The Mississippi Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists provides regulatory services for the social work profession. This becomes necessary when the importance of professionalism and excellence in social work practice is in view. Established in 1987, they have a mission to protect the public from unprofessional, improper, unauthorized, and unqualified practice of social work, and marriage & family therapy. The Mississippi legislature recognizes three types of social work licenses that they issue to qualified applicants. They are:
Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
This is the only social worker license available to people who only hold a bachelor’s in social work. This has been described as the shortest path to a career as a social worker. To be eligible for licensure in Mississippi, you must have obtained your degree after completing a program approved by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). These programs equip participants with basic sociology, psychology, economics, and other knowledge areas in addition to performing fieldwork for efficiency in the practice of social work.
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
To qualify for this license, you must hold a master’s in social work from a CSWE-accredited program. Holders of such a license can put their skills to use in an organization or as part of an agency. Some of the tasks they complete include program development, case management, and psychosocial assessment. We can also find them assisting independently licensed health professionals to carry out some clinical social work.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
This represents the highest professional level in social work. Holders of an LCSW license can carry out certain clinical or administrative duties without supervision. To qualify for such a license, you must have an LMSW license which will then be upgraded. This means that you must also hold at least a master’s or doctor’s in social work. Your successful license upgrade is hinged on your having completed the required level of supervised experience and fulfilling other requirements which will be covered as we progress.
Process of Licensure
Regardless of the level, if you intend to practice as a social worker in Mississippi, you must hold a valid license. By following the links above and in the left-hand navigation you will find the requirements, steps, and processes involved in obtaining any of the three social work licenses issued by the board.