MSW Licensing Exam Prep

In New York state there are two licenses a social worker may possess, the Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

Upon completion of the Master of Social Work (MSW) program, Adelphi graduates are eligible to apply for licensure as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW).

What Is an LMSW?

In New York state, the practice of social work and the use of the title Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) are matters of law and therefore require a professional license. LMSWs are permitted by law to practice the broadest scope of professional social work activities, including advocacy, case management, counseling, consultation, research, teaching, administration and management, and the administration of tests and measures of psychosocial functioning.

Why Do I Need to Be Licensed as a Social Worker?

To legally practice social work in New York state, social workers must be registered with the New York State Department of Education Office of Professions and be licensed as either an LMSW or LCSW, or have a limited permit or be employed in an exempt setting. Becoming licensed as an LMSW is essential for any master-level social worker seeking employment or wanting to remain employed as a social worker in New York state. Most employers in New York state, and around the country, require their social workers to be licensed in the state they practice. An LMSW or LCSW also increases the potential salary you may receive.

What Are the New York State LMSW Requirements?

  1. Have earned an MSW from an accredited college or university.
  2. Be of good moral character.
  3. Be at least 21 years old.
  4. Complete a two-hour training program on child abuse identification and reporting.
  5. Submit the application and fee to the New York State Department of Education.
  6. Pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) master exam.
Two Adelphi students study in the Swirbul Library

Study sessions today, licensed social workers tomorrow—Adelphi MSW students preparing for the LMSW path.

How Does Adelphi University Prepare Students to Take the LMSW Exam?

Once you have received your Master of Social Work degree from Adelphi University’s School of Social Work, you will be eligible to apply for the licensing exam in any state in the country.

As with all professions, licensure preparation is essential to successful completion of the licensing exam. To this end, we have developed a comprehensive LMSW preparation course and program for our MSW students. All these services are provided at NO extra cost to you.

In the fall semester of the advanced year, you will be required to enroll in a 1-credit course. The SWK 776: Credentialing and Assessment in Social Work: Licensing Preparation Initiative course will familiarize you with the content areas of the master-level licensing exam.

Within Moodle, you will find LMSW licensing prep self-study modules, information and resources to enhance your independent study.

Adelphi students in their final year of the MSW program will receive a guide with information on the structure of the LMSW exam, the application process, frequently asked questions and special circumstances that impact licensure.

For current students, this information will also be available in the LMSW Licensing Exam Prep Moodle.

The information in this LMSW exam prep module will review the following;

  • Structure of the LMSW exam
  • NASW Code of Ethics
  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition: DSM-5

Developing study strategies and test-taking techniques based on the contents in this module will help you to prepare for the LMSW exam.

This module will help you to focus on mastering multiple-choice test-taking skills specifically for the LMSW exam.

You will learn how to deconstruct the question, identify distractors, and uncover embedded ethical issues, key words and phrases, etc. By mastering these skills, you will build your self-confidence, lower test anxiety and learn how to select the correct answer.

In our continuous effort to support our graduates who are preparing to take the LMSW exam, we offer Refresher Modules on various topics frequently found on the LMSW exam. This information is not a substitute for the material presented in your MSW courses or your SWK 776 course content. The information in this module will prepare you for the LMSW exam.

Credentialing Guidelines

Get information about New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) professional credentialing (CASAC, CASAC T, CPP, CPS) guidelines.

Contacts for MSW Licensing Exam Prep

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