Maine Social Worker License

Individuals, communities, and families in Maine benefit from the assistance of social workers in preventing and resolving difficulties in their daily lives. A social worker’s job is diverse, but it always endeavors to enhance people’s lives. Some of the roles played by social workers in Maine include activism, advocacy, case manager, educator, facilitator, emergency intervention, and substance abuse treatments.

Maine Social Work License Options

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The job of a social worker is primarily for the people, to ensure they go about their everyday lives as smoothly as possible. To protect the people of Maine, the State Board of Social Work Licensure ensures only social workers who are qualified to practice are able to work in the state. In summary, licensure ensures that social workers have the necessary education and training to deliver ethical and competent services to the public.

The State Board of Social Work offers several social work licenses, each of which denotes a specific practice area and level of responsibility. They include the following:

• Licensed Social Worker, Conditional (LSX)
• Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
• Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
• Licensed Master Social Worker, Conditional Clinical (MC)
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

The responsibilities of each include:

Licensed Social Worker, Conditional

The Licensed Social Worker Conditional license allows people without a social work degree to practice under supervision to qualify for a Licensed Social Worker license.

Licensed Social Worker

A person who has been licensed as a social worker in the state of Maine is a Licensed Social Worker. The duties of an LSW include providing solutions to individual/groups/couples/families, life issues, advocacy, conducting training for social work students, coordinating social services, and supervision of other LSWs. The consultation needed by the LSW Conditional can be provided by an LSW who has been licensed for at least two years.

Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)

A Licensed Master Social Worker is someone who has gotten a license from the board to perform non-clinical roles and practice as a master social worker. The functions of an LMSW include that of a Licensed Social Worker as well as some additional roles like research consultation, administration, and engaging in non-clinical private practice.

Licensed Master Social Worker, Conditional Clinical (MC)

This is a license for Licensed Master Social Workers (LMSW)  who are practicing clinically but have not yet completed the required consultation hours for a Licensed Clinical Social Worker license. If you have this license, you are allowed to perform all the tasks of an LMSW. In addition to that, you can diagnose mental illness and emotional disorders, and provide clinical consultations to some levels of social work professionals. Supervision is required to perform additional roles.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Getting licensed as a clinical social worker means that you have been granted permission to engage in the independent practice of clinical social work which includes diagnosis and treatment of various mental and emotional disorders. A clinical social worker works to enhance and maintain the psychosocial functions of individuals in society.

Process of Licensure

If you’re aspiring to become a social worker in Maine, there are several requirements you must meet. Follow the links above to find the requirements and procedures to get a license for each of the five licenses stated above.