[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"doc-seo-331012-105":3,"detail-sidebar-cat-0-en-105":81,"doc-detail-331012-en":131},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":6},0,"ok",{"site_id":7,"language":8,"slug":9,"title":10,"keywords":11,"description":12,"schema_data":13,"social_meta":74,"head_meta":76,"extra_data":78,"updated_unix":80},105,"en","legislative-licensure-changes-issue-brief-2","Legislative Licensure Changes - Issue Brief - 2","","NASW-Michigan outlines problems with Michigan’s social work licensure system and proposes the Social Work Licensure Modernization Act. The brief describes long wait periods tied to staffing shortages, examination-related racial and age disparities, and renewal caps that force some workers out of the licensing process. It also notes workforce loss when social workers move into roles that may not require licensure. The proposal restructures licensure tiers, removes the exam requirement, and aims to increase licensed social workers to strengthen behavioral health access and staffing.",{"@graph":14,"@context":73},[15,34,56],{"@type":16,"itemListElement":17},"BreadcrumbList",[18,23,27,31],{"item":19,"name":20,"@type":21,"position":22},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",1,{"item":24,"name":25,"@type":21,"position":26},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/","Document",2,{"item":28,"name":29,"@type":21,"position":30},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/research-report/","Research & Report",3,{"item":32,"name":10,"@type":21,"position":33},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/legislative-licensure-changes-issue-brief-2/331012/",4,{"url":32,"name":10,"@type":35,"image":36,"author":41,"headline":10,"publisher":44,"fileFormat":47,"inLanguage":8,"description":12,"dateModified":48,"datePublished":49,"encodingFormat":47,"isAccessibleForFree":50,"interactionStatistic":51},"DigitalDocument",{"url":37,"@type":38,"width":39,"height":40},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/legislative-licensure-changes-issue-brief-2/331012.png","ImageObject",300,407,{"name":42,"@type":43},"Bintang","Person",{"url":19,"name":45,"@type":46},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-22","2026-09-21",true,{"@type":52,"interactionType":53,"userInteractionCount":55},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":54},"ViewAction",14,{"@type":57,"mainEntity":58},"FAQPage",[59,65,69],{"name":60,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":62},"What challenges does the NASW-Michigan licensure system describe for social workers and clients?","Question",{"text":63,"@type":64},"It reports excessive client wait periods linked to staffing shortages and systemic problems within the current licensure process. The brief also highlights renewal limits that can remove people from the licensing pathway.","Answer",{"name":66,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":67},"How does the brief say the current exam and renewal caps affect outcomes?",{"text":68,"@type":64},"It cites data showing significant racial and age disparities in exam results, leading many—especially people of color—to remain limited licensed. It also states limited licenses can be renewed only a set number of times, forcing some individuals out when they reach the cap.",{"name":70,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":71},"What changes does the Social Work Licensure Modernization Act propose?",{"text":72,"@type":64},"The act would restructure license levels into LBSW, LMSW, and LCSW, expand what the LMSW tier covers, and have the LCSW tier replace the current independent clinical practice designation. 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We also heard from organizations and practice owners who shared that they continue to experience excessive wait periods for their clients due to staffing shortages.  \nNASW-Michigan is committed to reviewing and addressing problems within our licensure system. These efforts will be the first major review of the licensure law since Michigan implemented social work licensing in 2005.  \nOur current license structure forces those with social work degrees to take an examination in order to become fully licensed. Data last year was released that shows significant racial and age disparities in this exam. Folks who cannot pass the exam, significantly people of color, are therefore stuck with a limited license which can only be renewed 6 times (up to 7 years) . People who have reached their renewal limits are forced out of the licensing process and field as a whole.  \nAdditionally, while many social workers go into clinical work, others may go into industries that do not require a license. These folks inevitably also leave the licensing process.  \nSocial workers represent the most mental health providers in the state of Michigan. NASW standards assert that all social work institutions, programs, schools, and licensing boards are called to address systemic racism and bias in our profession. We are called to ask challenging questions and to act.  \nEXAMPLES  \n➔ According to the Community Mental Health Association, CMH organizations are experiencing 20-40% vacancies in social work positions. Some of these shortages are attributed to an inability for some of their staff and candidates for social work positions to complete the current social work licensure process.  \n➔ Mary is a Limited Licensed Master Social Worker who has not been able to pass the examination and who has reached her renewal limit. She is facing losing her job because she will no longer be licensed.  \n➔ A report from ASWB showed that 70% of Black test takers and 50% of Hispanic test takers are unable to pass the ASWB examination the first time.  \nSOLUTION: REDUCE BARRIERS TO ENTRY INTO SOCIAL WORK LICENSING  \nThe solution is to reduce barriers of entry into the social work profession and to increase the number of licensed social workers in Michigan to help address workforce shortages.  \nWhat the Social Work Licensure Modernization Act proposes is to restructure the levels to Licensed Bachelor Social Worker ( LBSW) , Licensed Master Social Worker ( LMSW) , and Licensed Clinical Social Worker ( LCSW) . LMSW tier will encompass those who are gaining clinical supervision towards the LCSW designation, generalist and macro practitioners. The LCSW tier will replace the current LMSW-Clinical asthe independent clinical practice designation and align our credentials with almost every other state.  \nIt will also remove the examination requirement.  \nFor most in our membership as well as those already established as clinicians within the profession, the bill changes nothing besides the letters. However, for those who have been forced to leave the field due to renewal caps and the next generation of social workers looking to join the workforce, these changes will provide a more seamless licensing transition, thereby increasing the number of social workers in the profession.  \nLEGISLATIVE SOLUTION  \nThe Social Work Licensure Modernization Act ( HB 5184 & 5185) , introduced by Representative Felicia Brabec, changes the social work licensing tiers to LBSW, LMSW, and LCSW.  \nA hearing on these bills will be held on November 2nd, at 9 :00 in the Behavioral Health Subcommittee.  \nGet Involved  \n➔ Attend and participate in a Q&A session ➔ Join the Legislative & Social Policy committee ➔ Share on social media  \nAdvocacy Action Steps  \n➔ Send an email to the House Behavioral Heal","cbCailhvyKOKkzTg","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCailhvyKOKkzTg","pdf",196730,"English","# Background\n## Examples\n# Solution: Reduce Barriers to Entry into Social Work Licensure\n## Legislative Solution\n# Get Involved\n## Advocacy Action Steps\n## Social Media Templates","[{\"question\":\"What challenges does the NASW-Michigan licensure system describe for social workers and clients?\",\"answer\":\"It reports excessive client wait periods linked to staffing shortages and systemic problems within the current licensure process. The brief also highlights renewal limits that can remove people from the licensing pathway.\"},{\"question\":\"How does the brief say the current exam and renewal caps affect outcomes?\",\"answer\":\"It cites data showing significant racial and age disparities in exam results, leading many—especially people of color—to remain limited licensed. It also states limited licenses can be renewed only a set number of times, forcing some individuals out when they reach the cap.\"},{\"question\":\"What changes does the Social Work Licensure Modernization Act propose?\",\"answer\":\"The act would restructure license levels into LBSW, LMSW, and LCSW, expand what the LMSW tier covers, and have the LCSW tier replace the current independent clinical practice designation. It would also remove the examination requirement.\"}]","Legislative Licensure Changes - Issue Brief - 2 | PDF",1789991078]