West Virginia Social Work License Requirements & Programs: Become a Social Worker in WV
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The demand for social workers in West Virginia is on the rise. In addition to employment opportunities, the state offers several accredited social work degree programs at the bachelor’s and graduate level. Check out this guide to learn more about West Virginia’s social work license requirements, top social work programs, and career and salary prospects.
Popular Online Social Work Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
West Virginia Social Work Licensing Requirements
You need at least a bachelor’s in social work (BSW) to become a social worker in West Virginia, but advanced practice positions require master’s in social work (MSW). The West Virginia Board of Social Work offers four full licenses: licensed social worker (LSW), licensed graduate social worker (LGSW), licensed certified social worker (LCSW), and licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW).
The Board also provides a temporary license that permits applicants to practice while they prepare for the required Association of Social Work Board (ASWB) exam, and a provisional license for individuals without a BSW degree to engage in limited practice while completing coursework and supervised fieldwork requirements.
Learn more about West Virginia social work licensing below.
Licensed Social Worker
The entry-level license for West Virginia social workers authorizes you to work under supervision within a limited scope of practice. LSW responsibilities typically include assessment, counseling, planning, evaluating, and case management. You may administer programs and provide training and advocacy for underrepresented or at-risk populations. LSWs are also authorized to supervise provisionally licensed social workers.
West Virginia licensure requirements for LSW include:
- CSWE-accredited bachelor’s degree in social work
- Passing score on the ASWB bachelor exam
Licensed Graduate Social Worker
With an LGSW license, you can perform the same duties as an LSW. In addition, this license allows you to conduct clinical services under the supervision of an experienced and credentialed behavior health professional. You can also provide social work education to bachelor’s and master’s students. You do not need post-graduate supervised work experience to qualify for this license level.
West Virginia licensure requirements for LGSW include:
- CSWE-accredited master’s degree in social work
- Passing score on the ASWB masters exam
Licensed Certified Social Worker
The scope of practice for LCSWs includes the same duties authorized for LSWs and LGSWs as well as more advanced non-clinical responsibilities and clinical practice under supervision. As an LCSW, you can diagnose and treat psychological dysfunction, disability, and impairment, and use commonly accepted diagnostic taxonomies to diagnose behavioral health disorders.
West Virginia licensure requirements for LCSW include:
- CSWE-accredited master’s degree in social work
- At least two years of postgraduate social work experience
- Passing score on the ASWB advanced generalist exam
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker
The only West Virginia social work license that permits independent practice, the LICSW license allows you to perform assessments, diagnosis, and treatment for psychological disorders in a clinical setting. The LICSW license authorizes you to apply social work theory, methods, assessments, ethical standards, and the professional use of self to provide psychotherapy, counseling, interventions, and evaluations.
West Virginia licensure requirements for LICSW include:
- CSWE-accredited master’s or doctoral degree in social work, including a graduate level course in psychopathology or abnormal psychology
- Completion of a graduate-level supervised clinical field placement or postgraduate clinical training considered equivalent by the Board
- Verification of at least two years or 3,000 hours of social work employment, including 100 hours of face-to-face supervision
- Passing score on the ASWB clinical exam
Social Work License Reciprocity in West Virginia
West Virginia does not have formal reciprocity with any other state. The Board will issue social work licenses to out-of-state applicants provided they meet the education and experience requirements for the level of licensure they are seeking. If you have already passed the required exam, you do not need to retake it, but must provide verification of past ASWB test scores.
Out-of-state candidates interested in a West Virginia social work license can contact the Board to request an application form. The application fee for all levels of licensure is $90 as of September 2024.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education in West Virginia
In West Virginia, social work licenses must be renewed every two years. You must obtain at least 40 continuing education (CE) hours during the two-year renewal period. At least 20 hours should be earned through Board-authorized CE programs, including at least two hours focused on mental health of veterans and their family and one hour on ethics. A maximum of 20 CE hours can be earned from self-study activities.
Social workers who hold provisional licenses must complete 12 CE hours during each renewal period, unless enrolled in a CSWE-accredited BSW or MSW program. The Board recommends that all licensees refer to the state’s Manual for Licensed Social Workers for changes in renewal requirements.
BSW Programs Available in West Virginia
- Bethany College — Bethany (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $33,830 per year
- Concord University — Athens, Beckely (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $9,464 per semester in state (full-time), $20,800 per semester out of state (full-time), $394 per credit hour in state (part-time), $867 per credit hour in state (part-time)
- Marshall University — Huntington, Point Pleasant (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $4,581 per semester in state (full-time), $10,171 per semester out of state (full-time)
- Shepherd University — Shepherdstown (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $6,702 per semester in state, $15,774 per semester out of state
- West LIberty University — West Liberty (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $4,445 per semester in state (full-time), $8,721 per semester out of state (full-time), $370 per credit hour in state (part time), $727 per credit hour out of state (part time)
- West Virginia State University — Institute (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $9,570 per semester in state (full-time), $14,990 per semester out of state (full-time)
- West Virginia University — Morgantown (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $4,344 per semester in state (full-time), $13,596 per semester out of state (full-time), $362 per credit hour in state (part-time), $1,133 per credit hour out of state (part-time)
MSW Programs Available in West Virginia
- Concord University — Athens, Beckley ( Online)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist, Rural Social Work
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $565 per credit hour, $565 per credit hour online
- Marshall University — Huntington (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Generalist, Behavioral Health
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $4,695 per semester in state, $7,941 per semester out of state
- West Virginia University— Morgantown (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Integrated Practice
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $5,013 per semester in state (full time), $14,076 per semester out of state (full time), $557 per credit hour in state (part time), $1,564 per credit hour out of state (on-campus), $705 per credit hour online
West Virginia Social Worker Career and Salary Information
Although salaries for most social work careers in West Virginia fall below the Bureau of Labor Statistics‘ (BLS) reported national average of $62,880, the state offers a healthy employment outlook and one of the lowest costs of living rates in the country.
In West Virginia, the demand for social work specialists is increasing at rates above the national average. Specifically, the employment of mental health and substance use social workers in West Virginia is projected to grow by 14.6% through 2032, compared to the national rate of 10.6%. Jobs for healthcare social workers in the state are projected to increase by 11.2%, as opposed to the national growth rate of 9.6%.
| Occupation | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $46,260 | $22.24 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $58,560 | $28.15 |
| Mental Health and Substance Use Social Workers | $43,130 | $20.73 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $73,120 | $35.16 |
Social Work Associations in West Virginia
- The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), West Virginia Chapter: The West Virginia chapter of the NASW offers resources including professional development, social work student support, advocacy, and an annual conference.
Frequently Asked Questions About West Virginia Social Work
What are the different types of social workers in West Virginia?
The West Virginia Board of Social Work authorizes four levels of social work licenses, the LSW, LGSW, LCSW, and LICSW, each differentiated by its own education and supervision requirements and scope of practice.
How do I get licensed as a social worker in West Virginia?
West Virginia requires social workers to have a BSW or MSW from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Depending on the license level you choose, you must fulfill educational, and supervised experience requirements and achieve a passing score on the appropriate Association of Social Work Boards examination.
How much do social workers in West Virginia make?
Social worker salaries in West Virginia vary widely based on degree, license level, and specialization. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, annual salaries for West Virginia’s social workers range from $43,000 to $73,000, depending on the specialization. Generally, clinical social workers who hold LCSW and LICSW licenses earn the highest salaries.
How long does it take to become a social worker in West Virginia?
Earning a BSW, which allows you to obtain an entry-level LSW license, takes approximately four years. For the next level of license, the LGSW, you will need an MSW, which will take an additional two years. The LCSW and LICSW licenses require two more years beyond the MSW to fulfill social work experience requirements.
