Certified School Social Work Specialist (C-SSWS)
Specialty Certification for the experienced MSW School Social Worker

Eligibility Criteria 
Applicants must meet ALL criteria to qualify for certification

1. MEMBERSHIP:
Current “regular” NASW membership in good standing.  Associate members are not eligible for NASW Specialty Certifications. NASW membership must be established before an application for the C-SSWS is submitted.  

2. EDUCATION:
MSW – Master’s degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).  The program must have been accredited at the time the degree was received.

An original transcript is required and must be sent in a sealed envelope directly to NASW. If you were admitted to NASW’s ACSW (Academy of Certified Social Workers) in 1989 or later or received NASW’s QCSW (Qualified Clinical Social Worker) or DCSW (Diplomate in Clinical Social Work) credential in 1996 or later, you do not have to submit an original transcript. Otherwise, there are NO exceptions.  

3. EXPERIENCE:
Two academic years (2,160 hours, not counting administrative duties, approximately 30 hours per week of direct client-level school social work tasks) of post-MSW degree, full-time, paid, appropriately supervised (see SUPERVISION) work experience as a school social worker. School social work experience submitted must have been performed in a school setting and must have been paid by the school.

School social work functions as described in the information and application booklet must constitute the primary job responsibilities. Experience must be completed at the time of the application and must have been completed in no less than 24 months and no more than five years prior to the application.  

4. SUPERVISION AND SUPERVISORY EVALUATION:
Supervisory evaluation reference(s) must correspond in time to the qualifying experience that is submitted.  Supervision must cover a minimum of two academic years (2,160 hours, not counting administrative duties, of approximately 30 hours per week of direct client-level school social work tasks) of post-MSW degree, full-time, paid work experience as a school social worker in a school setting, paid by the school). The supervisor(s) must be able to evaluate the applicant’s school social work skills, knowledge, and abilities across the core functions of school social work described in this booklet.  Supervisors must document for at least two academic years the equivalent of a minimum of one hour face-to-face regular supervision meetings per week (72 hours total minimum).

School Social Worker Supervision is Preferred

  • Supervision from an MSW school social worker with at least two years post-MSW experience as a school social worker.
  • If not, contracted supervision from an MSW outside the school setting.
  • References will not be accepted from non-social work degreed persons who have been granted social work licenses by individual states.

Alternate Supervisors
For a time-limited period (only through 06/30/02) if MSW supervision as described above has not been available, a supervisor evaluation and documentation of hours of supervision will be accepted from one of the following:

  • Licensed MD psychiatrist

  • Licensed PhD clinical psychologist

  • LMHP (specific license) – Licensed mental health practitioner

  • Licensed professional counselor (LPC)

Hours of Supervision
Supervision should occur at a rate of one hour of direct supervision for each 30 hours of direct client-level school social work tasks, or one hour weekly.  

5. SOCIAL WORK REFERENCE:
Confidential reference from an MSW social work colleague. This reference cannot be from someone you supervise.  The colleague reference cannot be completed by the same person who completed the supervisory evaluation.  

6. LICENSE/CREDENTIALS: (Only ONE of the following is required)

  • NASW’s exam-based ACSW (Academy of Certified Social Workers)

  • NASW’s exam-based DCSW (Diplomate in Clinical Social Work)

  • Current exam-based state MSW-level license or certification at the intermediate, advanced or clinical level. (Current copy with expiration date required) If you practice in a state that does not have exam-based MSW-level social work licensure, you must have the NASW ACSW or DCSW.

  • Passing score on the ASWB (Association of Social Work Boards) intermediate, advanced or clinical-level exam.  This option is intended for more recent MSW graduates who are in the process of applying for licensure and have completed the exam requirement but have not yet received the actual social work license.

  • State-issued exam-based school social work license

  • State-issued exam-based school social work certification

CERTIFICATES:
Applicants who meet all eligibility criteria and successfully qualify for the C-SSWS will receive a certificate suitable for wall display. Each renewal period, those who successfully renew (see renewal) will receive an updated seal to place on the original certificate. (If necessary, replacement certificates can be provided at a cost of $10.)

RENEWAL:

  • Renewal occurs every two years at a fee of $50.

  • 20 contact hours of continuing education relevant to school social work are required.

The current ACSW, DCSW, or current MSW level state social work licensure is required. The certification holder must comply with NASW’s Standards of Continuing Professional Education, supplied at the back of the application booklet.

For complete information or to request an application packet, call: (800) 638-8799, ext. 409 or write: credentialing@naswdc.org