Virginia Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW)

Virginia Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW) Licensure Process

You can practice non-clinical services with this license while under the supervision of a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). LBSWs can provide the following services:

• Consultation
• Casework management
• Supportive services
• Education

Education Requirements

To become a licensed LSW in Virginia, candidates must obtain a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from a CSWE-accredited school. Here you can find all schools offering social work degree programs in Virginia.

Background Check

A criminal history record check is performed by the Virginia Department of State Police for each licensure applicant. Fieldprint is the vendor that verifies your identity, takes your fingerprints, collects the fee, and transfers the results to the Virginia State Police (VSP) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The Virginia Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry is also checked to find if the applicant has any complaints related to child abuse or neglect.

Experience Requirements

Once you earn your BSW, you’re required to complete 3,000 hours of supervised experience. You have between two and four years to complete the supervised experience. Either an LSW or LCSW must provide a minimum of 100 hours of conducting face-to-face supervision. LSWs supervising you must have three years of post-graduate experience. The ratio between hours of work experience and supervision is 40 to 1.

Examination Requirements

It’s necessary for all potential LSWs to pass the ASWB Bachelor’s exam, which requires you to receive the Board’s permission before registering for the test. Once your application is processed and the Board allows you to register, contact the ASWB and schedule an appointment for the exam. Pay the $230 registration fee to take the four-hour, 170 multiple-choice questions test. The ASWB sends your scores to the Board about two weeks after your test date.

The approval from the Board is valid for two years. If you don’t take the exam within that time you will need to reapply and pay another fee.

Applying for Licensure as a Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker

Before you can submit an application you’ll need to meet the supervised experience requirements. You are unable to accumulate hours prior to the Board approving your Supervisee in Social Work Supervisory Contract. When the form is completed, send it to the Board along with information verifying your education and training. The form must be signed by your supervisor and the processing fee is $50. Be sure to request the BSW program you attended send your official transcripts to the Board. Once this process is complete, you can start earning your supervised hours.

Next, apply for the license by submitting the online LSW application and paying the $100 fee. You are able to take the ASWB exam before completing the supervised work experience hours, but keep in mind that your application is not considered complete until supporting documentation of the experience is received.

You can print out any documents needed to support your application at the end of the online process. That includes the following:

• Official transcript
• National Practitioners Data Bank self-query

Send the supplemental documentation to:

Your online account with the Virginia Department of Health Professions keeps a checklist of your items and is updated each time the Board receives paperwork that is part of your application packet. You can use this list to check the status of your application.

Your exam scores are automatically submitted to the Board by the ASWB, and you’ll receive a license once the Board receives the information. An email notification of licensure is sent and it contains useful information about your license. A paper copy of the license will be mailed to you, and it is the only one you’ll receive from eh Board. They’ve implemented a paperless system and if you lose the license, anyone needing verification of your status can utilize the License Lookup site.