Limited Licenses and Registrations

Public Act 61 allows the Board of Social Work to grant a limited license to engage in the required post degree work experience to an individual who has completed all the educational requirements for licensure as a LBSW or LMSW.  The Rules allow the granting of a limited license to an individual who has not yet graduated if the individual’s school provides certification of his or her eligibility to graduate.

A limited licensee must be supervised by a licensed master’s social worker and may practice only in an agency, health facility, institution, or other Board-approved entity.  “Health facility” is defined as a health facility or agency licensed under the Public Health Code, or a hospital, psychiatric hospital or psychiatric unit licensed under the Mental Health Code. 

 A limited license is renewable for not more than six years.

The Act also allows the Board to grant a limited social service technician registration to an individual who has met all of the following requirements:

• Has successfully completed two years of college
• Is employed in the practice of social work or has been made an offer of employment in the practice of social work with an agency recognized by the board
• Applies social work values, ethics, principles, and skills under the supervision of a LMSW or a LBSW
•  Is seeking to obtain the experience for registration as a social service technician

A limited social service technician registration is renewable for not more than one year.