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    Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors Licensure Guide

    Start Your Application

    The purpose of the State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors Guide is to provide transparency, inform applicants of expected timelines for receiving your license, and outline steps you can take to reduce mistakes and mitigate delays. To provide the greatest clarity on the licensing process from start to finish, we will break it down into three phases, providing estimated times for each stage of the process, and recommendations for how to reduce processing times.

    Social Work license by Examination (SW):

    ​The primary way to receive a Social Work license in PA by examination is to hold a Bachelors in Social Work (BSW) degree from a Coucil on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited school, and passed the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Bachelor's Examination.  To receive the next level of social work license, one must hold a Masters in Social Work (MSW) degree from ​a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited school, and pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Master’s Examination.

    A licensed social worker (SW):

    • Holds a minimum of a bachelor's or master’s degree in social work or social welfare (for BSW or LSW licenses);
    • Has a special knowledge of social resources, human personality and capabilities and therapeutic techniques; and
    • Uses that knowledge to help people to achieve adequate and productive personal, interpersonal and social adjustments in their individual lives, in their families or in their communities.

    Initial Social Work Licensure Phases and Timeline

    1. Social Work applications are processed in the order they are received. An individual may be made eligible to take the ASWB Master’s Examination when they are in their final semester. When you are made eligible for the ASWB Master’s Examination, you will receive an e-mail approval letter from the Board on how to register with ASWB.

    2. Contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to obtain an FBI Criminal Background Check at https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks. The Board will accept the official FBI Report or a report from an official FBI approved Channeler. A list of approved channelers can be found at https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks/list-of-fbi-approved-channelers-for-departmental-order-submissions. The FBI Background Check must be dated within 180 days of the date the application is submitted to the Board.

    3. You are required to complete three hours of Board-approved continuing education on the topic of child abuse recognition and reporting. Learn more about Approved Child Abuse CE Providers. Confirmation of the course completion must be sent directly to the Board from the education provider. When registering for a course, please be sure to indicate that you are applying for Pennsylvania licensure to ensure your confirmation is sent to the Board.

    4. The Education Verification form should be completed by the school if you are in your final semester and want to take the ASWB Master’s Examination prior to the granting of the MSW degree. Official transcripts conferring your MSW degree will be required to be submitted directly from the school upon the conferral of the degree.

    5. Educational transcripts are required to be submitted directly from the school to the Board in order to be made eligible for the ASWB Master’s Examination if you are no longer in your final semester.

    6. License verifications are required from any states/jurisdictions where you hold or have ever held a health-related professional, license, registration, authorization, or permit to practice. Verifications are required regardless of the current status of the license.

    7. ASWB Masters examination eligibility is issued for a period of 6 months from the date of exam approval, and applicants may be required to update their documentation if an extension is required.

    Process Overview

    How to Apply for a Professional License in PA

    Professional licensing protects the health and safety of the public from fraudulent and unethical practitioners. Fraudulent and unethical practitioners. We want the process of applying for a professional license in Pennsylvania to go as smoothly as possible..

    What Happens After You Submit Your Application

    Our goal is to make the professional licensing process as easy as possible while maintaining our standards to protect the public's health and safety.

    1. Sign in or create account at www.pals.pa.gov

    2. Select the board to apply and plain-language questions will appear to help you get started

    3. Application appears – review checklist, upload required documents, follow prompts

    4. Review all information and edit as needed

    5. Pay the required fee and your application is submitted

    6. Keep an eye on your email or get real-time updates at www.pals.pa.gov

    Helpful Links and Next Steps:

    Start the application process at PALS
    PALS Help Center
    Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors
    Approved Child Abuse CE Providers
    ASWB website

    Contact 

    State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors

    Phone - 1 (833) DOS-BPOA
    Fax - (717) 787-7769
    Email: ST-SOCIALWORK@PA.GOV