EMPLOYMENT TIPS FOR FOREIGN TRAINED PSYCHOLOGISTS AND SOCIAL WORKERS - Do I need a license in order to work?

Sep 21, 2026

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Employment guidance for foreign-trained psychologists and social workers explains that practicing psychotherapy generally requires a professional license, but not every job requires licensing. It outlines key accreditation and recognition routes through the Council on Social Work Education’s International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service, and references application fees and screening steps. It also describes California licensing pathways, including supervised experience hours, application packets, required additional training units, and examination and processing timelines.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time8 min

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Do I need a license in order to work?

CSWE and ISWDRES recognition process

Board of Behavioral Sciences applications and fees

Supervised experience requirements and exemptions

Additional training requirements

Board of Behavioral Services steps after training

1. Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) The CSWE is the national accrediting agency for Social Work education in the US. The first step is to contact the CSWE. You can go to their website [at www.cswe.org](at www.cswe.org) , click on Accreditation and then to International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service. Their address and phone and fax numbers are: 1725 Duke Street, Suite 500, Alexandria, VA 22314-3457,(703) 683-8080 and FAX (703) 683-8099. 2. International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Services –ISWDRES-The Office of Social Work Accreditation and Educational Excellence (OSWAEE) part of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as the sole accrediting agency for social work education in the United States . The office's International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service (ISWDRES) recognizes academic credentials in social work that are comparable to accredited baccalaureate and master's degrees in social work in the United States. Recognition is necessary to establish qualifications for employment, graduate school admission , membership in the National Association of Social Workers, state licensing, and/or certification. Recognition is based on the general comparability of the program objectives (as stated in the program catalogue or program's official memorandum) and level of the applicant's social work education to social work education in the United States . Follow the application instructions posted on the website [http://www.cswe.org/cms/22213.aspx](http://www.cswe.org/cms/22213.aspx . Complete the Screening form)[ . Complete the Screening form](http://www.cswe.org/cms/22213.aspx . Complete the Screening form), with a fee of $25. The Application fee is based on the ISWDRES fee schedule ($125-$450 depending which country the applicant is from.) 3. Board of Behavioral Sciences . Contact the Board of Behavioral Sciences to obtain the “Associate Clinical Social Worker Registration Application Packet.”, The fee is $75 for the AWS Registration Application . Their address is 1625 North Market Blvd. , Suite S-200, Sacramento, CA 95834, Phone: (916) 574-7830, Fax: (916) 574-8625, [www.bbs.ca.gov](www.bbs.ca.gov. The LCSW License Examination Application fees are: $100 application)[. The LCSW License Examination Application fees are: $100 application](www.bbs.ca.gov. The LCSW License Examination Application fees are: $100 application), $100 standard written exam. 4. Supervised Experience . The experience requirements for licensure are 3,200 hours of supervised experience gained in not less than two calendar years obtained over a period of not less than 104 weeks. All experience must be gained within the six years immediately preceding the date the application forlicensure was filed, except that up to 500 hours of clinical experience gained in the supervised practicum shall be exempt from the six-year requirement. 5. Additional Training: There are eight additional educational requirements that you must obtain before submitting your application for a license. These are: 1) Alcoholism and Other Chemical Substance Dependency (15 hours), 2) Human Sexuality (10 hours), 3) Child Abuse (7 hours), 4) Spousal or Partner Abuse Assessment, Detection, and Intervention (15 hours), 5)Aging and Long-Term Care (10 hours), 6) California Law and Professional Ethics (2 semester or 3 quarter units), 7) Psychological Testing (2 semester or 3 quarter units), 8) Psychopharmacology (2 semester or 3 quarter units.) All of the additional training listed above may be taken on-line as long as the training meets the specific requirements outlined in the Board's Licensing Laws and Regulations and the participant receives a certificate of completion . 6. Board of Behavioral Services: After you’ve completed the 3,200 hours of supervised practice and the additional training required, contact the Board of Behavioral Services to obtain

FAQs

Do foreign-trained psychologists and social workers need a license to work?

They generally need a license to practice psychotherapy, whether in an organization or private practice. Some jobs may be available even without a license, depending on the work.

What is the ISWDRES process used for in social work licensing?

The ISWDRES recognizes social work academic credentials comparable to accredited U.S. baccalaureate and master’s degrees. Recognition helps establish qualifications for employment, graduate school admission, professional membership, and state licensing or certification.

How much supervised experience and what additional training is required in the California pathway described?

Licensure requires 3,200 hours of supervised experience over at least two calendar years, within the six years before filing (with an exemption for up to 500 hours of clinical experience in supervised practicum). Additional training includes eight specified education requirements such as chemical dependency, human sexuality, child abuse, partner abuse assessment, aging and long-term care, California law and ethics, psychological testing, and psychopharmacology.

Sep 21, 2026

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