Florida Registered Clinical Social Worker Intern (RCSWI) Guide - 2024

Florida Registered Clinical Social Worker Intern (RCSWI) Licensing Process

You can work with clients in a clinical setting if you become a registered clinical social worker. First, you have to gain the necessary experience, meaning you will start as a registered clinical social worker intern (RCSWI). Then, you can then move forward by taking the necessary steps to get a clinical social worker license.

Education Requirements

First, you have to earn your master’s degree in social work to become a clinical social worker intern. Florida requires that you complete a master’s degree program that’s accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Florida currently has 13 accredited Masters of Social Work programs in Florida. You can search programs based on the area of specialized practice and other criteria and browse through in-person and online options. With seven distance learning programs available right now, you can pursue your degree from the comfort of home or attend in person.

Once you complete your degree, the school needs to send the official transcripts to the:

Experience Requirements

You will be gaining experience as an intern. Thus, you do not have to show prior work experience to get your license. Instead, you’ll work as an intern and use that to get your clinical social worker license when you’re ready.

Supervision Information

You will need to work under a qualified supervisor as a registered clinical social worker intern. Your chosen supervisor must provide a letter to the Board Office that includes:

• Your name
• Your supervisor’s license number
• Information about the supervision agreement

The supervisor can email the letter to MQA.491@flhealth.gov.

Advanced Standing Letter

Your school must provide verification if you are an advanced standing student. The verification letter should include a list of the bachelor’s level courses you completed that were used for waiving or exempting you from taking comparable courses in your master’s degree program. The Education Worksheet for Clinical Social Work will help you determine any extra courses you completed.

Practicum

You will participate in a supervised field placement when earning your master’s degree in social work. During this time, you’ll work directly with clients to provide clinical services. A school official must verify that you completed the supervised field experience, internship, or practicum as part of your application.

Examination Requirements

You can take the exam after receiving your license to practice as an intern. The Association of Social Work Boards is in charge of the exam. You can register on ASWB’s website and pay the $260 fee to take the clinical exam. The ASWB will forward your exam results to the board so you can receive your license to work as an RCSWI.

Background Check Requirements

You will provide your social security number and other information when applying for your license. The state will then run a background check to ensure you are eligible to serve as a social worker in the state of Florida.

Licensure Process

Once you have met the requirements, you’ll be ready to move forward with your application. You can apply for your license and pay the $150 fee on the MQA Online Services portal. While the school will submit your official transcripts, you’ll need to upload your:

• Qualified supervisor letter
• Advanced standing letter, if applicable
• Practicum letter

You’ll complete your application and submit the $150 fee. Then, the board has up to 30 days to review your application, but it usually completes the process in 7-9 days. The board will provide a file number once you upload your application so you can track it through the system.