Social Work: Overview
The Board of Social Work Examiners regulates the practice of social work through the licensure of three different levels of practice.
Social work is a professional service that uses social resources, social systems, and human capabilities to effect change in human behavior, emotional responses, and social conditions.
Clinical social workers assess, diagnose, and treat, using psychotherapy and counseling. Clinical social workers also provide client-centered advocacy, consultation, and evaluation.
The Board assures continued professional competence by requiring all licensed social workers to obtain fifteen hours of continuing education annually. The Board also investigates complaints from the public about unprofessional or unethical conduct, and takes disciplinary action when required.
Board News & Information
NOTICE TO ALL LICENSEES REGARDING PAY PAL MIGRATION:
Beginning July 15, 2019, there will be a 2.5% transaction fee applied to all online license, registration and renewal fees paid to the Regulation and Licensing Department with a credit card, this fee is paid directly as a bank transaction fee, it is not paid to the Regulation and Licensing Department. The Regulation and Licensing Department is working on development of an electronic check (e-check) payment option that will also be available in the near future. Use of the e-check option will not result in any transaction fees. Thank you.
***NOTICE REGARDING CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS***
Effective December 1, 2017
*As of Friday, December 1, 2017, RLD will no longer accept Credit Card payments in person at RLD offices, nor by electronic mail (email), or direct mail.
*RLD will continue to accept checks and money orders (no cash) at all RLD offices (Santa Fe, Albuquerque and Las Cruces) or by direct mail. However, please do not send Credit Card information to RLD by electronic mail (e-mail) or by direct mail. On and after December 1, 2017, credit card information received via email or regular mail will be destroyed without processing.
*RLD will continue to accept Credit Card payments through our existing secure online systems that can be accessed via the Internet from your home, place of business, or mobile Internet device.
*No credit card breach of data incidents have occurred to date. However, RLD is changing credit card processing to ensure a secure system is maintained in the future.
NOTICE OF CHANGES PURSUANT TO 16.63.11
At the August 21, 2015 meeting of the Social Work Examiners Board, the Board reaffirmed the issuing of the Licensed Independent Social Work (LISW) license and the issuing of the specialty License in Clinical Practice (LCSW) to indivduals who as of July 1, 2015 were licensed at the LISW and also held a designated specialty in Clinical Practice.
Individuals who received an LCSW license and have had an LISW with a designated "clinical specialty" may request in writing to be issued a license that will identify both levels of licensure. All requests must be made in writing to the Board.
The Board will continue to issue licenses for advanced licensure. Applicants will have to determine whether they are applying for LISW or LCSW license. Individuals applying for the LISW will take the Advanced Generalist Exam. Applicants for the LCSW will need to take the Clinical Exam. Both examinations are administered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). The number of hours of supervision remain at 3600 hours. LISW applicants may seek to be supervised in macro-administrative practice.
On July 24, 2014, the Board of Social Work Examiners adopted changes to the Board's Rules & Regulations, which are found at Title 16 Chapter 63 NMAC.
As a consequence of those rule changes, effective 9.1.14, the new title of the previously titled LISW (Licensed Independent Social Worker) is LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker). All licenses issued at that level after 9.1.14 will be issued under the LCSW title. Please note the change from LISW to LCSW is merely a name change and there have been no changes to the scope of practice or requirements for licensure. This LCSW license should be treated as the interchangeable equivalent of the LISW license for credentialing, and all other purposes.
Letter in PDF format
For more information contact:
Board of Social Work Examiners
Toney Anaya Building
2550 Cerrillos Road, Second Floor
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Mailing address:
PO BOX 25101
Santa Fe, NM 87504
(505)476-4622
(505) 476-4620 Fax