Social Work Licensing

PROCESSING CENTER Hours:
The DC Health Processing Center is open to the public Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9 am – 1 pm, and Wednesday, 9 am - 3:30 pm (except holidays).

Office Hours:
Office Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:15 am - 4:45 pm (except holidays).

If you require assistance from the Board of Social Work, please contact the Board at [email protected]

Change to the Term of License, Certificate and Registration

Effective Date June 16, 2024

DC Health has always operated with fixed renewal windows for each profession. In response to feedback from the health professional community, the Director has moved to change the renewal system to align with each licensee’s month of birth. As such, all applicable licenses, certificates, or registrations issued on or after June 16, 2024, will expire on the last day of the birth month of the license holder. This will apply to all new applicants and will become applicable to licensees renewing later this year. For those renewing, this will not take effect until September 2024. For all current holders of a license, certificate, or registration additional information will be provided at a later date. This authority is pursuant to Chapter 40 Section 4006.3 DCMR Chapter 40 General Rules.

ALERT: PHONE SCAM

DC HEALTH has become aware of a PHISHING PHONE SCAM
in which individuals pose as DC Health representatives to request money.
Please be advised that DC Health representatives will never
contact you with a request for money.

FBI Warns Individuals Employed in the Health Care Industry
of the Ongoing Scam Involving the Impersonation of
Law Enforcement and Government Officials - FBI fbi.gov

LICENSURE WAIVER
PERIOD HAS ENDED:

Please review Important Notices regarding
Temporary Licensure Requirements HERE

Important Notice regarding Paper Applications (select link):
DC Health No Longer Accepting Paper Applications (Beginning June 14, 2021)

Please review the application checklist and regulations prior to applying for a license.

LSWA, LGSW, LISW, LICSW Checklist by Examination

LSWA, LGSW, LISW, LICSW Checklist by Endorsement

LSWA, LGSW, LISW, LICSW Checklist by Re-Examination

Regulations for Social Work

ONLINE LICENSING APPLICATIONS

DC Health’s online licensing application system is now LIVE. (See link below.)

The District of Columbia Department of Health, Health Regulation and Licensing Administration (HRLA) is excited to announce the opening of our new online licensing system. Effective immediately, any healthcare provider who is interested in applying for a new health professional license, or to renew, reinstate, or reactivate an existing license, may do so by going to the below link and submitting an online application. All users are strongly encouraged to review the instructions prior to beginning the process.

https://doh.force.com/dchealthrenewals/s/portal-page

The Board of Social Work regulates the practice of social work in DC, including specialties within the profession. The Board also administers and enforces the law. The Board evaluates applications and administers exams, recommends standards and procedures, and issues licenses. The Board receives and reviews complaints; requests investigations; conducts hearings, issues subpoenas, examines witnesses, and administers oaths; and issues an annual report.

Board of Social Work Members
The Board currently by statute shall be composed of no more than five (5) members appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Council of the District of Columbia. The Board consists of five DC residents; of which one shall be a licensed independent social worker (LISW), a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW), a licensed graduate social worker (LGSW), a licensed social work associate (LSWA), and a consumer member.

Continuing Education

All social work Licenses expire on July 31 of odd years. At the time of license renewal all licensees are required to have completed the 40 hours of approved continuing education units including the 6 hours of Ethics (must be done face to face; no online courses are accepted) and 2 hours of LGBTQ training (this can be an online course) and 4 of the total required continuing education shall be in Public Health Priorities. Only 12 hours out of the total 40 hours required can be online. Post Covid CE Requirement.

BOARD MEETINGS
The Board meets monthly on the fourth Monday. Please note that meeting dates can change.

In 2025, the Board plans to meet on the following dates: