Requirements for Social Workers' Licensure and Examination

Purpose of Licensure:
To set standards of qualifications, education, training, and experience for the practice of Social Work. To promote high standards of professional performance for persons in the practice of social work. To assure that everyone in the practice of social work is licensed and adheres to the established uniform and coordinated procedures.

Period of Licensure:
All permanent licenses are issued on an annual basis March 1 to February 27/28; and expires exactly two years from the calendar year and month in which the license is issued.

Temporary Licenses are issued for six (6) months. Applicants are granted the initial temporary license and one temporary license renewal, after which applicant must successfully complete the social worker's examination to be duly licensed in the Virgin Islands.

Application Process:
Applications must be completed entirely and legible. Initial Application Requires:

  • Completed and notarized application;
  • Official college transcript identifying courses and degrees in the field of social work should be sent directly from the institution;
  • Two professional references one of which should be a social worker as to the applicant's current occupational level and applicant's experience in the social work field; Copies of the references’ licensure must be included;
  • One character reference;
  • Three (3) 2x2 passport size photos of applicant; 
  • Payment of Required Fees.
  • Background Check

If applying by Reciprocity, the aforementioned is required in addition to the following:

  • Copy of the Applicant’s current license; and,
  • Applicant’s official ASWB exam results.

Levels of Licensure:
Social Worker Associate: Applicant may have a baccalaureate degree in a non-Social Work field or an associate of arts degree in the Human Services from a junior college, college or university approved by the Board.

Social Worker: Applicant must have a baccalaureate degree in Social Work or Social Welfare Program from a college or university approved by the Board or a baccalaureate degree in another field with two years of experience in a social work capacity.

Certified Social Worker: Applicant must have a doctorate or master's degree from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and approved by the Board.

Certified Independent Social Worker: Applicant must have a doctorate or master's degree from a school of social work accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) and approved by the board. Additionally, applicant must have practiced for two years under appropriate supervision in the field of specialization in which the applicant will practice.

ALL APPLICANTS FOR ALL LEVELS OF LICENSURE MUST SATISFACTORILY PROVE TO THE BOARD THAT HE/SHE IS A PERSON WHO MERITS THE PUBLIC TRUST.

Application Type:

Temporary Licenses:
A temporary license is issued to an applicant who wants to work prior to taking the required examination. All temporary licenses are at the same levels of licensure. Temporary licenses are issued for six (6) months. Applicants are granted an initial temporary license and one renewal of the temporary license.

Licensure Upgrade:
Certified Social Workers who wish to upgrade to the next level of certified independent social worker should send a letter to the Board about their intention to apply for a licensure upgrade and must meet the following requirements:

  • A minimum of two years post-masters experience;
  • Supervision by a CISW for a least two years for a minimum of 100 hours per year. This should be documented by a log of hours of supervision which should be signed off by the CISW; and,
  • A letter from the supervisor indicating their level of supervisory experience and their expectations


Examination:
Any person, holding a Social Worker’s degree applying to become a Social Worker is required to take an examination at three levels: Bachelors, Masters, or Clinical. All levels of examinations must be approved by the Board. The Intermediate, Clinical, and Advance Examinations are only administered to persons holding a Master's of Social Work Degree or higher from an accredited, board approved college or university. The examination is available via computer year round at the Pearson Vue Testing Center.

Payment must be submitted to ASWB
To register, one can call the ASWB Candidate Services: 888.579.3926 or register Online at https://www.datapathdesign.com/ASWB/CRCdswb/Prod/cgibin/crcOLCandidateDSWBDLL.dll/crcStartEmpty
Nearest Test Center is at the following:
Pearson Professional Centers-St. Thomas VI
8000 Nisky Shopping Center
Suite 730, East Wing
St. Thomas, Virgin Islands 00802
Virgin Islands, US

Renewal of License Requires:
In order to renew a business license, visit the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs website ( www.dlca.vi.gov), and follow the simple steps in order to obtain a reference number and choose your payment option. Licensee is required to provide evidence of having completed the following number of continuing education hours:

For CY 2020: ALL License Types a minimum of two (2) units of continuing education (CEUs) per year.
From CY 2021: Bachelor Social Worker (BSW) and Master Social Worker(MSW) Twenty (20) Clock-hours(10 per calendar year) of continuing education are required every two years from the date of license.
From CY 2021: Certified Independent Social Worker (CISW) Twenty-four (24) Clock-hours(12 per calendar year) of continuing education are required every two years from the date of license.

* For all license renewals --Three (3) hours at least, in each of the following topics is required: Ethics, Domestic Violence and Cultural Sensitivity.

Upon renewal, a licensee is required to provide evidence of completing the specified aforementioned units of continuing education (CEs) per year, online or in-person will be accepted. CEs must be obtained from classes, courses, seminars or workshops certified by an approved provider, (ie ASWB, NASW, etc.) and must include topics discussed, instructor name, dates of seminar and continuing education hours received. Continuing Education (CE) Certificates must be provided along with renewal.

Required Fees:

Non-Refundable Application Fee $50.00
Temporary Licenses     $26.00
Social Worker Associate     $91.00
Social Worker     $91.00
Certified Social Worker     $130.00
Certified Independent Social Worker     $195.00

Mailing Addresses: 
Attention:         H. Nathalie Hodge
Assistant Commissioner, Office of Boards and Commissions

V.I. Board of Social Workers’ Licensure
Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs
Golden Rock Shopping Center, Suite #9
Christiansted, VI 00820-4311 		V.I. Board of Social Workers' Licensure
Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs
Property &Procurement Building
Subbase, Suite 1
St. Thomas, VI00802

Current Board Members:
Juliette Millin, Board Chair
Carl Battuelo
Delores Powell
Aracelis Francis
Amialyn Augustus