Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling » Licensed Clinical Social Worker- Licensing, Renewals & Information (2023)

To be licensed as a Clinical Social Worker in Florida you must have the documents listed below. Endorsement applicants only need items 5 through 9. Registered Interns applying for full licensure need items 4 and 6-9.

1. OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT: A master’s degree in social work from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited school of social work showing graduate level coursework. Ensure your program is accredited by visitinghttps://cswe.org.

NOTE: Electronic Transcripts may be sent through a secure parchment service directly toMQA.491@flhealth.gov. Please check with your university to see if this service is available.

Mailed transcripts must be sent in a sealed envelope from the university or they will not be considered official. A degree conferred date must be listed on the transcript. This is the only document that CANNOTbe uploaded in your online account. Official transcripts may be mailed to:

Florida Department of Health
Board of CSW, MFT, and MHC
4052 Bald Cypress Way
Bin C-08
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3258

COURSEWORK:

FOREIGN EDUCATION:

2. PRACTICUM: A supervised field placement that was part of the applicant’s master’s program, during which the applicant provided clinical services directly to clients. An official of the school (Dean, Department Chair) that awarded your graduate degree must provide a letter on university letterhead verifying that the supervised practicum, internship, or field experience was completed, during which the applicant provided clinical services directly to clients. Please review the specific requirements on the Education Worksheetfor clinical social work.

3. ADVANCED STANDING LETTER: If you are an advanced standing student, you may need to request an advanced standing letter from the school of social work listing the courses completed at the bachelor’s level that were not required at the master’s level. Review the Education Worksheet for clinical social work to determine if the coursework requirements for licensure have been satisfied. The letter must include the course title and number of credit hours completed.

4. SUPERVISED EXPERIENCE: Two (2) years of post-master’s supervised experience under the supervision of a licensed clinical social worker. These hours must be documented on theVerification of Clinical Experience Formor they will not count towards licensure. The supervision experience must have consisted of:

• At least 100 hours of supervision in no less than 100 weeks;
• 1,500 hours of face-to-face psychotherapy with clients; and,
• 1 hour of supervision every two weeks

NOTE: Please seeRule 64B4-2.002, F.A.C.for information regarding group supervision and supervision by electronic methods.

5. LICENSE VERIFICATION: This form is required for applicants who hold or have ever held a license in another state, U.S. territory, or foreign country. Please have the office that issued the license or certification complete theFlorida Certification/License Verification Form. A license verification is required for all endorsement applicants. The document must show your license type, date issued, current status and discipline history.

6. EXAM: Passed the national clinical level examination developed by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). For information about the exam required,click here.

Note: Beginning June 1, 2021, exam approvals will only be issued to those who have completed a minimum of 18 months of post-master’s clinical experience.

7. LAWS & RULES COURSE: Completed an 8-hour Florida laws and rules course from a board approved provider listed onCE Broker.

8. HIV/AIDS COURSE: Completed a 3-hour HIV/AIDS course listed onCE Brokeror complete theHIV/AIDs Affidavit.

9. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COURSE: Completed a 2-hour domestic violence course from a board approved provider listed onCE Brokerwithin six months of licensure. The certificate of completion is retained with your records. Do not submit to the Board Office with your application.

Provisional License

This license is available only to applicants for licensure by exam or endorsement who have already met the minimum requirement of two years of post-master’s supervised experience but do not meet Florida’s licensure requirements. It allows you to practice under supervision while you meet any additional licensure requirements such as masters level coursework (CSW applicants must have completed 15 semester or 22 quarter hours of clinical coursework), continuing education coursework, or passing the national exam. Provisional licensees are required to meet face-to-face with their supervisor at least one hour per month. A supervisor for a provisional licensee is defined as a Florida Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist, or Mental Health Counselor. This license is valid for 24 months and cannot be renewed.

Provisional licensure applications are available upon request and will not be provided until an application by endorsement/exam has been received by the Board Office.This application has a non-refundable fee of $100.

To request an application, please contact the Board Office.

Applicants with Health History

The Board reviews each applicant’s history to determine that the applicant is able to practice the profession with reasonable skill and competence. If you have a history of serious, chronic, or recent mental health problems or addiction to drugs, you must submit a current mental health status report. Mental health status reports must come from a licensed mental health professional, with which you have no personal or professional relationship.

The report should include: a description and summary of the diagnosis, onset, course of treatment, medications, inpatient treatments, outpatient treatments, group settings, factors which have triggered setbacks, compliance with treatment, prognosis, and recommendations for continued treatment.

Applicants with Discipline History

Applicants with prior disciplinary actions are required to submit the following:

Board Actions – Certified copies of document(s) relative to any disciplinary action taken against any license. The documents must come from the agency that took the disciplinary action and must be certified by that agency.

Self-Explanation – A detailed description of the circumstances surrounding your disciplinary action and a thorough description of the rehabilitative changes in your lifestyle since the time of the disciplinary action which would enable you to avoid future occurrences. It would be helpful to include factors in your life, which you feel may have contributed to your disciplinary action, what you have learned about yourself since that time, and the changes you have made that support your rehabilitation.

Applicants with Criminal History

Applicants with prior criminal convictions are required to submit the following:

Final Dispositions/Arrest Records – Final disposition records for offenses can be obtained at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. If the records are not available, you must have a letter on court letterhead sent from the clerk of the court attesting to their unavailability.

Completion of Probation/Parole/Sanctions – Probation and financial sanction records for offenses can be obtained at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. Parole records for offenses can be obtained from the Department of Corrections or at the clerk of the court in the arresting jurisdiction. If the records are not available, you must have a letter on court letterhead sent from the clerk of the court attesting to their unavailability.

Self Explanation – Applicants who have listed offenses on the application must submit a letter in their own words describing the circumstances of the offense. Include in your letter the date of the original offense, the charge, and the jurisdiction where it occurred.

To review the conviction record guidelines adopted by the Board, click here.

Health Care Fraud; Disqualifications for License, Certificate, or Registration

Effective July 1, 2012, Section 456.0635, Florida Statutes (F.S.), provides that health care boards or the department shall refuse to issue a license, certificate or registration and shall refuse to admit a candidate for examination if the applicant:

1. Has been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a felony under Chapter 409, F.S., (relating to social and economic assistance), Chapter 817, F.S., (relating to fraudulent practices), Chapter 893, F.S., (relating to drug abuse prevention and control) or a similar felony offense(s) in another state or jurisdiction unless the candidate or applicant has successfully completed a drug court program for that felony and provides proof that the plea has been withdrawn or the charges have been dismissed. Any such conviction or plea shall exclude the applicant or candidate from licensure, examination, certification, or registration, unless the sentence and any subsequent period of probation for such conviction or plea ended:
   1. For the felonies of the first or second degree, more than 15 years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation;
   2. For the felonies of the third degree, more than 10 years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation;
   3. For the felonies of the third degree under section 893.13(6)(a), F.S., more than five years from the date of the plea, sentence and completion of any subsequent probation;
2. Has been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, a felony under 21 U.S.C. ss. 801-970 (relating to controlled substances) or 42 U.S.C. ss. 1395-1396 (relating to public health, welfare, Medicare and Medicaid issues), unless the sentence and any subsequent period of probation for such conviction or pleas ended more than 15 years prior to the date of the application;
3. Has been terminated for cause from the Florida Medicaid program pursuant to section 409.913, F.S., unless the candidate or applicant has been in good standing with the Florida Medicaid program for the most recent five years;
4. Has been terminated for cause, pursuant to the appeals procedures established by the state or Federal Government, from any other state Medicaid program, unless the candidate or applicant has been in good standing with a state Medicaid program for the most recent five years and the termination occurred at least 20 years before the date of the application;
5. Is currently listed on the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s List of Excluded Individuals and Entities. The section above does not apply to candidates or applicants for initial licensure or certification who were enrolled in an educational or training program on or before July 1, 2009, which was recognized by a board or, if there is no board, recognized by the department, and who applied for licensure after July 1, 2012

• Within 30 days of submitting your application and fee for licensure, you will receive a written review of your application and supporting documents from the Board Office staff. This review will be sent to your email, if listed on the application, or to your mailing address on record. If your application is missing items, you will receive a deficiency letter. If your application was submitted with all requirements and you meet the qualifications, you will receive an approval letter.
• Your application will not be processed until we have received a complete application and fee. All fields on the application including Social Security Number, Date of Birth, E-Mail Address, Practice Location and Mailing Address should be completed prior to submitting your application.
• Upon submitting your application, you will be issued a file number to help track and reference your documents through the process. This number will not be the same as your license number and should not be used as such.
• Please understand that Chapter 456.013(1)(a), Florida Statutes, provides that an incomplete application shall expire one year after initial filing with the department.

For the most expedited process, submit your application in 3 simple steps:

1. PREPARE YOUR SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:

• Official transcript from your master’s or doctoral degree program (Exam Applicants ONLY)
• Practicum letter stating you provided clinical services directly to clients (Exam Applicants ONLY)
• If Applicable- Advanced Standing letter (Exam Applicants ONLY)
• Verification of Clinical Experience Form (Exam Applicants ONLY)
• License Verification or Florida Certification/License Verification Form
• Official score report of passing the clinical level of the ASWB exam.
• Certificate of completion of an 8-hour laws and rules course completed through a board approved provider listed onCE Broker.
• Certificate of completion of a 3-hour HIV/AIDS course listed onCE Broker or complete theHIV/AIDs Affidavit.
• Certificate of completion of a 2-hour domestic violence course from a board approved provider listed onCE Broker within six months of licensure. The certificate of completion is retained with your records. Do not submit to the Board Office with your application.

2. APPLY AND PAY THE REQUIRED FEE:

Visit https://floridasmentalhealthprofessions.gov/licensing/ and choose your profession. Then click “Apply Online” or print the PDF version of the application. Applications are not processed until the required payment has been received.

a. SUBMIT YOUR SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

There are several ways to submit supporting documents.

• Upload to your online account at https://mqa-vo.doh.state.fl.us/datamart/voservicesportal.
• Email to mqa.491@flhealth.gov
• Fax to 850-413-6982
• Mail to Florida Department of Health
  Board of CSW, MFT, and MHC
  4052 Bald Cypress Way
  Bin C-08
  Tallahassee, FL 32399-3258

Please allow 7-10 business days to process any supporting documents.

3. RECEIVE DEFICIENCY LETTER OR APPROVAL LETTER

• Deficiency Letter – Applicants will receive an application review in the form of a deficiency letter outlining the missing items required. They should submit these missing items as soon as possible. An incomplete application shall expire after 1 year. Incomplete applications will delay the licensure process.
• Approval Letter – Applicants will receive an application review in the form of a letter of approval including license number and additional information regarding their social work license. To expedite your application, make sure to submit a complete application.

You can now follow the progress of your application through our website at: https://mqa-vo.doh.state.fl.us/datamart/voservicesportal. If you did not apply for licensure through this screen, please click on “Click HERE for New User Registration” and create an account. You must have a valid email address to create your account.

Once you are logged in, you will be prompted to link your application to your account in four easy steps. Once you have successfully linked your application, you will be directed to the Quick Start Menu. Under the “Additional Activities” section, select “Application Status” to review any open deficiencies, upload documents or print out instructional documents.

Provisional License

• You must first apply for full licensure by exam/endorsement.
• You must be approved by the Board to apply for the provisional license.
• Contact the board office for the provisional application.

Provisional Licensure Fee: $100.00

Please Note:The fee for a provisional license is separate from your licensure fee and must be submitted at the time of application.

For Clinical Social Work: Upon Board approval, the clinical level exam fee is paid directly to the ASWB

Make checks or money orders payable to the “Department of Health.”

If you are mailing just a payment, please include your name, profession, and file number. All payments must be mailed to:

Department of Health
Board of Mental Health Professions
P.O. Box 6330
Tallahassee, FL 32314-6330

Click on Chapter or Section Number to View

Florida Statutes

Chapter 491:491, Clinical, Counseling, and Psychotherapy Services
Chapter 456:Health Professions and Occupations: General Provisions
Chapter 120:Administrative Procedure Act
Chapter 39:Proceedings Related to Children
Chapter 90:Evidence Code
Chapter 394:Mental Health
Chapter 397:Substance Abuse Services
Chapter 415:Adult Protective Services

Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.)

Rules: Chapter 64B4, F.A.C.:Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy & Mental Health Counseling