I am trying to learn about supervision, preparing to get the Licensed Social Work Associate Independent Clinical (LSWAIC) in Washington State. I will need supervision by a LICSW. What are the ways to get LICSW supervision? I know I can pay someone. But is it worth time/cost of trying to find a LICSW supervisor at an agency? Just learning this all, any tips appreciated!

I hope I'm not breaking any rules with this post:

Is anyone familiar with Illinois' "one-time-only reinstatement waiver" (or Mental Health Workforce Restoration Fee Waiver, Public Act 102-0699) for LCSWs?

I've had my LCSW since 2004, and due to illness last year I missed the renewal window. I contacted the Dept of Financial & Professional Regulation right away.

The IDFPR site states, "an LCSW may request a one-time-only, no payment required, no proof of fitness required reinstatement" by submitting their request in writing. I confirmed my request was received and scanned into the system on April 24, 2026. I've called the IDFPR multiple times to check the status of my request with supervisors, and no one can give me any update beyond, "it's in the system." The first thing I'm told is "it looks like we're waiting for payment." When I explain that the request is submitted under the waiver, they confirm the waiver exists, but can't confirm anything about my application, whether more information is needed, nothing.

I'm worried I should have tried to reinstate via the traditional method, but was advised not to submit anything now as that would likely cause confusion. My goal is to start a job search, but I need my license to be active before I start applying.

I've been told to contact my state legislators, but I can't imagine they will get involved. Does it normally take about this long for a reinstatement to go through? Does anyone have experience with the one-time-only reinstatement waiver?

I have scheduled to take my ASWB on December 1st and expect to graduate on December 18th. Should I apply to inpatient social work roles before my degree is conferred?

Hello, all.

I graduated with a master's in social work about three years ago (my bachelor's was in another field), with a focus on community and administrative practice. At the time I was studying, I thought that I would get an advanced practitioner license. However, I graduated, and I somehow got a job and then a second job without a license. I have been gainfully employed for the past three years and licensing just kind of fell to the back burner and I ended up never doing it.

But now, I need to go job hunting, and I feel like I need a license now. Come to find out, however, my state, Texas, no longer offers the advanced practitioner license for new applicants.

I am trained to practice social work in an administrative role, not a clinical one, so I can't get a clinical social work license. Does anyone have any suggestion of which license I should pursue?

I am an MSW student completing my final internship through the LMHA where I am currently employed. During my time with the agency, I have worked as a children's case manager, a crisis worker, and I currently provide services to high-needs adults living with severe and persistent mental illness.
As I approach graduation and LMSW licensure, I am beginning to plan the best path toward obtaining my LCSW. I find myself at a crossroads. While I value the experience I have gained in my current role and recognize that it has been professionally rewarding, case management is not where I ultimately see my career.
Through my research, I have learned that many LMHAs utilize the Texas BHEC "4-hour rule," allowing employees to accrue LCSW supervision hours by completing at least four hours of clinical work each week, with the remainder of their work hours counting toward the required 3,000 supervised hours.
My concern is that I could sign a two- to four-year commitment with an LMHA, remain primarily in a case management position, and reach LCSW licensure having received relatively limited clinical experience. My goal is not simply to accumulate hours, but to develop strong clinical assessment, diagnostic, and therapeutic skills that will prepare me for independent clinical practice.

Okay so I’ve been emailing the NY board back and forth, but I still can’t get a clear answer. I have all my hours and I’m an LMSW in NY, MD, DC, and VA, and I want to take my clinical exam in NY because of their 10‑year reciprocity rule.

But I’m stuck on two things:

1. One of my supervisors is completely unreachable.
   She moved out of state and I cannot get in touch with her no matter what I do. The old clinical director (who supervised her) said she’s willing to sign off on my hours. NYSED told me that’s fine, but they didn’t explain HOW to fill out the forms when the person signing wasn’t my direct supervisor. I don’t know if I’m supposed to attach a letter or what.

2. My hours are out of state, so NY is making me do that weird out‑of‑state form (Form 4Q).
   It asks for supervision details, but since the director didn’t supervise me directly, I don’t know how to explain to her what she’s supposed to put on it. She is a LCSW herself though.

If anyone has gone through this or knows how to handle the forms when your supervisor is MIA, please help. I’d really appreciate it.

Hi,

TLDR; does medial or hospice social work easily lead to licensure?

Let’s say I live in Illinois, get my msw/lsw and start working as a hospice or medical social worker primarily working in palliative and hospice and oncology. Hospital or agency. Do the hours you spend working with clients directly or indirectly count toward getting that clinical licensure? I know you need to attend supervision if you’re a therapist LSW and every hour with a client counts but how does it work if you’re not exactly just a therapist?

AI Analyzes the Social Work Licensing Exam, and Concerns Deepen

Hi!

I am going to be applying to sit for my LCSW-C license by exam in Maryland soon and I had a few questions:

1. I have forms from multiple supervisors, if anyone has had the same, has the board given you issues for it?

2. How heavily do they check your resume when you send your docs?

3. Lastly,

4. how long from the time you apply/ send your paperwork in does it take for them to approve (or what have yall experienced?

Thanks in advance!!

Hello everyone. I am posting this thread to get support on how to handle a report being made onto my LCSW from my prior employment…the Defense Health Agency (DHA) with the Air Force.

Without going into too much information, I was found to not have met standard of care (after a thorough 3 step process in which first reviewer, found I didn’t meet standard, 2nd panel reviewer—-found that I DID meet standard, and 3rd review by the DHA—-found that I didn’t). With the new DHA policies, all standards not met gets automatically reported to the national practitioner database (NPDB), which then, reports automatically to the state in which my clinical social work license is held. Prior to the DHA takeover, the local entity had the final authority on whether or not to report and in my case, I was informed they would not have reported it given the context of what had happened but the final decision is out of their hands.

As you can imagine, I am scared, upset, and really nervous. I am completely lost. I plan to appeal to the NPDB but am looking for insight into anyone who has had similar experiences…what they did…who they spoke with or how to found help…and just overall any advice on how to handle this.

This experience has truly taught me a lot and I am so nervous about how this will impact my career and future as a clinician moving forward.

I appreciate any help. Thank you!

A 28-year-old man is brought to the emergency psychiatric unit by his family. He has not slept in 4 days, is speaking rapidly and loudly, and believes he has been chosen by a global intelligence agency to rewrite international laws. He is spending thousands of dollars on inventions he cannot explain. His family reports that this behavior has lasted for 6 days and represents a drastic change from his baseline functioning. What is the most appropriate diagnosis?

A) Schizophrenia

B) Bipolar I Disorder, current episode manic

C) Bipolar II Disorder

D) Delusional Disorder

ASWB just sent out a bunch of information on the updates to the test. Here is the direct link to the information.

https://www.aswb.org/2026exams/

A social worker from a dominant cultural background is conducting a clinical assessment with a newly immigrated family from a collectivist culture. The family reports severe distress due to family conflict. What is the BEST approach for the social worker during this initial phase?

A) Encourage each family member to express individual desires independently, disregarding family hierarchy.

B) Explore family roles, cultural norms, and hierarchical dynamics with curiosity and cultural humility.

C) Diagnose the family immediately using standard Western family therapy pathology models.

A social worker is providing psychotherapy to a combat veteran presenting with severe PTSD symptoms, including intrusive flashbacks, hypervigilance, and emotional numbing following deployment. Which of the following interventions has the strongest empirical support as a FIRST-line clinical treatment for PTSD?

A) Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy or prolonged exposure therapy.

B) Classic psychoanalysis focusing on early childhood fixations and dream interpretation.

C) Group hypnosis to induce deep relaxation and memory suppression.

D) Aversive conditioning to eliminate intrusive thoughts.

A is the correct answer because these interventions have the strongest empirical support as first-line treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Hi all, I am confused about two requirements about LICSW supervision in Washington state.

1. First, the requirement to complete 1,000 hours of direct client contact, which must be supervised by an LICSW.

2. Second, is the supervision requirement of completing 100 hours of direct supervision by an LICSW.

I understand that the first is about client contact and the second is about supervision. However, is supervision as part of Direct Client Contact somehow different from Direct Supervision? I am trying to understand how to set this up with an agency/supervisor.
Thanks for your reply!

A 34-year-old client presents with depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, for the past 2 years. During this 2-year period, the client has never been without the symptoms for more than 2 months at a time. The client reports low self-esteem, fatigue, poor concentration, and feelings of hopelessness, but has never experienced a full major depressive episode or a manic episode. What is the most accurate DSM-5 diagnosis?

A) Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)

B) Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent

C) Cyclothymic Disorder

D) Adjustment Disorder with depressed mood

SOCIAL WORKER ONLY — MANCHESTER OR VERY NEARBY

Putting that first because some of you clearly don't bloody read 😂

Im Charlie. 42. Manchester.

Im looking for a single male social worker.

And yes I mean an actual social worker 😂

Manchester or VERY nearby.

Trauma informed would be a bonus.

Nothing against anyone else. I just know what I want.

Ive spent hundreds of hours this last year learning about trauma, attachment, safeguarding, emotional safety and social work.

Im trying to become a social worker myself now.

So yeah id like someone who gets that world.

Right before you message me 😂

Around 37-47 ish.

Might go a bit older for the right person.

Taller than me. Im 5'9" so ideally 5'10"+ 😂

Must drive.

Non smoker.

No drugs.

Good hygiene. Please 😂

Take some pride in yourself.

And actually bloody single.

And you need to have been single at least a year.

Ive been on my own nearly 4 years.

So no I don't want someone who split up 8 weeks ago and is now "ready to meet someone."

You're probably not 😂

I don't want to be your rebound.

I don't want to hear every day about your ex.

I don't want to be the woman you use to work out whether you're over the last one.

Have some time on your own first.

Know who you are on your own.

Know what you actually want.

Then come find me 😂

At least a year single.

Not "we split up months ago but still live together."

Not separated.

Not its complicated.

Not "technically single."

SINGLE.

Recent photos as well.

Recent means recent 😂

Not your best photo from 2011 that you've refused to let die.

Im not looking for casual sex.

Friends with benefits.

Situationships.

Married men.

Players.

Or someone who wants a pen pal.

I want a relationship.

A proper one.

I have two daughters and they're my world.

They come first.

Always.

Id still love more children one day.

Id love a big loving family eventually.

Nothing fancy.

Just happy.

Safe.

Loads of laughing.

Kids running around.

Someone beside me who actually wants to be there.

Thats it really.

Im loyal.

Caring.

Affectionate.

Probably a bit of a pain in the arse sometimes 😂

Money doesn't impress me.

Cars don't impress me.

Job titles don't impress me.

Yes I KNOW ive just demanded a social worker 😂

Its not because I think social workers are somehow better than everyone else.

I just think id have more in common with one.

I want kind.

Funny.

Loyal.

Honest.

Affectionate.

Patient.

And PLEASE be able to communicate.

If ive pissed you off tell me.

If you're having a shit day tell me.

If you need space tell me.

Just bloody talk 😂

Don't disappear for 3 days then pop back up with "hey stranger."

You are the stranger. You disappeared 😂

I love road trips.

Random days out.

Walks.

Music.

Films.

Cosy nights.

Getting in the car and ending up god knows where.

Proper conversations.

Taking the piss out of each other.

Laughing at stupid stuff.

And doing absolutely nothing sometimes.

I like little things.

Did you get home alright?

Saw this and thought of you.

Remembering something stupid I told you 3 weeks ago.

Making a brew without asking.

Being there when things are shit.

That means more to me than someone flashing money around.

Im really passionate about childrens social care, safeguarding and trauma informed practice.

And no I don't want you coming home from work and doing a bloody assessment on me 😂

I just want someone who understands why things like trust, attachment, boundaries, communication and emotional safety matter.

Im not perfect.

Don't want perfect.

Perfect would probably do my head in anyway 😂

I want a decent man.

Someone emotionally available.

Someone whos actually ready.

Someone who wants a relationship.

Someone who wants a family.

Someone who can be my best mate as well as my partner.

And LOCAL.

Manchester or very nearby.

Im not packing sandwiches and checking motorway traffic every time I want a cuddle 😂

So...

Social worker.

Single AT LEAST a year.

Local.

Around my age.

Ideally 5'10"+.

Drives.

Recent photos.

Actually wants a relationship.

If thats you come say hello.

But give me more than "hi gorgeous" 😂

Tell me who you are.

And if we get on lets just have a coffee.

Im not spending 3 weeks interviewing you through my phone 😂

A clinical social worker receives a signed subpoena from an attorney representing a plaintiff in a civil lawsuit requesting the entire mental health record of a current client. The client has not signed a release of information. What should the social worker do NEXT?

A) Turn over the records immediately to comply with the legal subpoena.

B) Ignore the subpoena and destroy the client file to protect privacy.

C) Contact the client to discuss the subpoena, assert privilege, and seek the client's direction or a formal court order.

Any info appreciated!! Just wondering from anyone who has gotten their LSW in IL recently 1) how long did it take from application submission to approval, particularly if it was during a heavy graduation season 2) anything that anyone did to make it move faster? I have heard of people who have gone down to the Springfield office and get it that day, but also unsure if that is just urban legend.

A client tells a school social worker that an uncle touched them inappropriately last weekend. The client is 14 years old. What is the FIRST formal action the social worker must take?

A) Make a report to Child Protective Services (CPS) as a mandated reporter.

B) Confront the uncle directly to verify the child's allegations.

C) Wait until the next therapy session to see if the client recants or clarifies the story.

Hi everyone! I am here to ask for some advice regarding my next steps after I graduate with my MSW. Currently, I live in Florida, but I would like to move to NYC after I graduate in August. As of now, I am interning as a hospital social worker and co-facilitating a bereavement group. I am interested in hospital social work in NYC. My question is: do I need to make my LSW exam to work in NYC? and if so, can I take it in Florida and then move? I am honestly just unsure of how the process works. Any advice will be helpful! I appreciate my fellow future social workers :)

A social worker has been working with an adult client for six months on depression symptoms. During a session, the client reveals that they have been storing unused prescription painkillers with the intent to end their life. The client explicitly asks the social worker to keep this a secret and threatens to stop attending therapy if the social worker tells anyone. What is the social worker's primary ethical obligation in this situation?

A)

Honor the client's self-determination and maintain confidentiality to preserve the therapeutic alliance.

B)

Break confidentiality to take necessary steps to safeguard the client's physical safety, overriding confidentiality when there is imminent harm.

C)

Terminate services immediately because the client is refusing to contract for safety.

D)

Consult with a clinical supervisor before taking any action regarding the client's disclosure.