How to Guide: Clinical Social Worker
- How To Apply
- You Must Be Approved To Sit For The Exam
- After you Apply – What to Expect
- Disability Accommodations
- Veteran’s Preference Points
- Fees
- CSW Licensure by Examination
- CSW Licensure by Exam Waiver
- Reinstatement
- Inactive Status
- Reactivation Of An Inactive Status License
- Renewal Checklist
- How to File
How To Apply
If you would like to apply for a professional license as a Clinical Social Worker (CSW), you are required to file an application with the Secretary of State. Once issued, all licenses have a common expiration date of September 30th of even-numbered years. Review the requirements and the step-by-step guides below.
- Licensure requires signatures across all forms, along with an application fee. Some forms require notarization. See specific instructions below for these instructions.
- You must submit all the required documentation and fees to be considered for licensure.
- The Georgia Board will only review completed applications.
- The Georgia Board currently does not offer licensure as a clinical social worker by endorsement or reciprocity. Each applicant that applies for the clinical social worker license must submit a complete, signed, and notarized application with fee.
- See specific instructions for application depending on license and application type.
Select your application type to view instructions on how to apply:
To file online:
Once your checklist is completed, Navigate to GOALS to register and login to the license portal >>
You Must Be Approved To Sit For The Exam
Before the applicant may sit for the exam, the applicant must first meet the requirements for licensure in Georgia.
To establish that licensure requirements are met, the applicant must submit a complete application with all required supporting documents. The Board(s) will review these materials. Per the Board’s law, only the Board has the authority to provide the final recommendation on any application submitted for licensure.
When the Board is satisfied the individual meets all requirements, the Board will send notification of this approval to the applicant via email. This email will describe the next steps the applicant must take to register for the examination.
After you Apply – What to Expect
- Processing Time – Applications are generally processed within 20 business days of receipt, excluding weekends and holidays. Applications are individually evaluated by the Board in order of date received, and processing times can vary based on individual circumstances and volume.
- If you receive a deficiency letter, your 20-day count restarts when the Board receives your correct and complete documentation.
- Please Note – Incomplete applications may be withdrawn if noted deficiencies are not satisfied within 60 days of said notification. If your application is withdrawn, you will be required to restart the application process to be considered for licensure, including submission of all required documents and fees.
- Complete applications will be initially reviewed by Board staff. Complete applications will be presented and reviewed by the Board at the next available scheduled Board Meeting. Applications must be complete and received at least 15 days prior to a Board Meeting to be added to that meeting’s agenda. Otherwise, the application will be reviewed at the next Board meeting.
- Keep Your Contact Info Up to Date
- Be sure the email address you include for yourself on your application is correct and current. Email is the primary means of communication used by the Board.
- Additionally, it is important for applicants/licensees to update their email address with the Board. Email is the primary means of communication used by the Board.
- Check Application Status >>
Disability Accommodations
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA Public Law 101-336), the Professional Licensing Boards Division provides for reasonable accommodations by designated vendors for exam candidates with disabilities that may interfere with their performance on a Licensure Examination.
Applicants may request an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act by submitting an application and all supporting documentation to the designated vendor (ASWB). Once ASWB has processed its portion of the request, the ADA application will be sent to the Board for final review and approval.
Veteran’s Preference Points
Veterans, military service members, transitioning service members and military spouses of the armed forces of the United States, including the National Guard, may be eligible for exam point credits and/or expedited application processes. Download program information>>
- If you are claiming Veteran’s Preference Points, you must enclose a copy of your DD-214 form, showing that you served during a period of conflict or war for a minimum of 90 days. Contact the VA to request make a DD-214 Request >>
Fees
|
Initial licensure application |
$100 |
|
Renewal |
$100 |
|
Late renewal |
$150 |
|
Reinstatement (if inactive for more than five years) |
$350 |
|
Request inactive status |
No fee |
|
Reactivation of an Inactive status license (if inactive for less than five years) |
$150 |
|
Decorative wall certificate |
$50 |
|
Verification of license |
$35 |
|
Duplicate license card |
$25 |
Processing Fees - Effective 3/15/2022
- Online processing fee: $10.00
CSW Licensure by Examination
If you have never been licensed before and have never taken and passed the required CSW national licensure examination, and you meet all the requirements for licensure.
If you have never been licensed before and have never taken and passed the required CSW national licensure examination, and you meet all the requirements for licensure as a Clinical Social Worker, choose the option for licensure by Examination.
The following is a checklist of required documents for this application:
- Completed, signed, notarized application with fee. Navigate to GOALS to register and login to the license portal >>
- Post-Graduate Directed Experience Verification Form (Form B)
- Post-Graduate Supervision Verification Form (Form C)
- Official Conferred College Transcripts
- National Background Check
- Disciplinary Action/Sanctions (if applicable)
- Court Documents
- Letter of Explanation
- Enrolled in Alternative to Discipline
- Verification of licensure held in another state
- Secure & Verifiable Document
- Affidavit of Citizenship
- Immigration Documents (If applicable)
Submit a non-refundable application fee of $100.
CSW Licensure by Exam Waiver
If you have been or are currently licensed and have already taken and passed the required CSW national licensure examination and meet all the requirements for licensure.
If you have already taken and passed the required CSW national licensure examination and meet all the requirements for licensure as a Clinical Social Worker, choose licensure by Exam Waiver.
The following is a checklist of documents required for this application:
- Completed, signed, notarized application with fee. Navigate to GOALS to register and login to the license portal >>
- Official conferred college transcripts
- Post-Graduate Directed Experience Verification Form
- Post-Graduate Supervision Verification Form
- Background Consent Form (If applicable)
- National Background Check
- Disciplinary Action/Sanctions (if applicable)
- Court Documents
- Letter of Explanation
- Enrolled in Alternative to Discipline
- Verification of licensure held in another state
- National Exam Passing Score Report
- Secure & Verifiable Document
- Affidavit of Citizenship
- Immigration Documents (If applicable)
Submit a non-refundable application fee of $100.
Reinstatement
If you have previously held this license and it has lapsed, expired, or is revoked, you may submit an Application for Reinstatement of the license.
If you have previously held this license and it has lapsed, expired, or is revoked, you may submit an Application for Reinstatement of the license. Reinstatement is at the sole discretion of the Board.
The following is a checklist of required documents for this application:
- Completed, signed, notarized application with fee. Navigate to GOALS to register and login to the license portal >>
- Continuing Education Certificates
- Continuing Education Report Form
- National Background Check
- Disciplinary Action/Sanctions (if applicable)
- Court Documents
- Letter of Explanation
- Enrolled in Alternative to Discipline
- Verification of licensure held in another state
- Secure & Verifiable Document
- Affidavit of Citizenship
- Immigration Documents (If applicable)
Submit a non-refundable application fee of $350.
Inactive Status
If you hold a current, unencumbered license and do not intend to practice in Georgia and therefore do not intend to use the title Clinical Social Worker, you may request that the license be placed in “Inactive” status.
If you hold a current, unencumbered license and do not intend to practice in Georgia and therefore do not intend to use the title Clinical Social Worker, you may request the license be placed in “Inactive” status.
The following is a checklist of documents required for this application:
- Completed, signed, notarized application. Navigate to GOALS to register and login to the license portal >>
There is no fee to request Inactive status.
Reactivation Of An Inactive Status License
A person who has requested their professional license be placed in inactive status may apply to reactivate their license within five (5) years or less from the date active status was converted to inactive status
A person who has requested their professional license be placed in inactive status may apply to reactivate their license within five (5) years or less from the date active status was converted to inactive status. After five (5) years of inactive status, an Application for Reinstatement, the fee, and all supporting documents must be submitted pursuant to Board Rule 135-6-.04.
The following is a checklist of documents required for this application:
- Completed, signed, notarized application with fee. Navigate to GOALS to register and login to the license portal >>
- Continuing Education Certificates
- Continuing Education Report Form
- National Background Check
- Disciplinary Action/Sanctions (if applicable)
- Court Documents
- Letter of Explanation
- Enrolled in Alternative to Discipline
- Verification of licensure held in another state
- Secure & Verifiable Document
- Affidavit of Citizenship
- Immigration Documents (If applicable)
Submit a non-refundable application fee of $150.
Renewal Checklist
Clinical Social Work licenses expire every two years on September 30th of even numbered years.
Clinical Social Work licenses expire every two years on September 30th of even numbered years. The late renewal period is October 1st – 31st of even numbered years. After October 31st, even numbered years, the license must be reinstated. One is not to practice on a lapsed license.
- To process your renewal, Navigate to GOALS to register and login to the license portal >>
- Follow the instructions for online renewal specifically for your license.
Please note that a license will remain in “Active-Renewal Pending” status when:
- A licensee has applied for renewal before the deadline; and,
- A licensee has supplied all the required information to complete the renewal application before the deadline; and,
- It has been determined that the application requires additional review by the Board.
In accordance with O.C.G.A. §50-13-18(b), a license in this status is not considered to be lapsed, expired, inactive, or invalid until the renewal application has been finally decided upon by the Board. If the license remains in that status or another active licensing status as allowed by statute or rule, the licensee may legally continue to engage in the practice of the profession.
- Submit a non-refundable renewal application fee of $100.
- Late renewal period non-refundable renewal and penalty fee is $150.
How to File
To process your renewal, Navigate to GOALS to register and login to the license portal >>
After completing the online renewal application, unless selected for the CE Audit, CHECK your license expiration date online to ensure the renewal was completed. If you were selected for a CE Audit, please make sure to follow the instructions to submit all required audit documentation.
Contact
Related Resources
- Online Resource National Association of Social Workers
- Online Resource Association of Social Work Boards
- Online Resource The Georgia Society for Clinical Social Work