The information below is
from the Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Licensing
and Consumer Affairs. For additional information, please
visit their website.
Purpose of Licensure:
To
set standards of qualifications, education, training and experience for
the practice of Social Work. To promote high standards of professional
performance for persons in the practice of social work. To assure that
everyone in the practice of social work is licensed and adhere to the
established uniformed and coordinated procedures.
Period of Licensure:
All
permanent licenses are issued on an annual basis. Temporary Licenses
are issued for six (6) months. Applicants are granted the initial
temporary license and one temporary license renewal, after which
applicant must successfully complete the social worker's examination to
be duly licensed in the Virgin Islands.
Application Process
Initial application requires:
- Completed and notarized application;
- Official college transcript identifying courses and degrees in the field of social work;
- Two
professional references as to the applicant's current occupational
level and to applicant's experience in the social work field;
- One character reference;
- Three 2"x2" passport size photos of applicant;
- Favorable tax clearance letter from the Bureau of Internal Revenue;Payment of Required Fees.
Levels of Licensure
Social Worker Associate:
Applicant may have a baccalaureate degree in a non-Social Work field or
an associate of arts degree in the Human Services from a junior
college, college or university approved by the Board.
Social Worker:
Applicant must have a baccalaureate degree in Social Work or Social
Welfare Program from a college or university approved by the Board or a
baccalaureate degree in another field with two years of experience in a
social work capacity.
Certified Social Worker: Applicant
must have a doctorate or master's degree from a school of social work
accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and approved
by the Board.
Certified Independent Social Worker:
Applicant must have a doctorate or master's degree from a school of
social work accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE)
and approved by the board. Additionally, applicant must have practiced
for two years under appropriate supervision in the field of
specialization in which the applicant will practice.
EACH
APPLICANT FOR ALL LEVELS OF LICENSURE MUST SATISFACTORILY PROVE TO THE
BOARD THAT HE/SHE IS A PERSON WHO MERITS THE PUBLIC TRUST.
Examination:
Any person applying to become a Social Worker is required to take an
examination. The examination is available via computer year round. All
levels of examinations must be approved by the Board. The Intermediate,
Clinical, and Advance Examinations are only administered to persons
holding a Master's of Social Work Degree or higher from an accredited,
board approved college or university.
Temporary Licenses: A
temporary license is issued to an applicant who wants to work prior to
taking the required examination. All temporary licenses are at the same
levels of licensure. Temporary licenses are issued for a period of six
(6) months. Applicant's are granted an initial temporary license and one
renewal of the temporary license.
Renewal of License Requires
- A completed social work renewal application;
- Completed back copy of license;
- Payment of Required Fees.
- Evidence that the Licensee has completed a minimum of two units of continuing education since previous issuance of license;
- Favorable tax clearance letter from the V.I. Bureau of Internal Revenue.
Required Fees
- Application Fee: $25
- Temporary Licenses: $26
- Social Worker Associate: $45.50
- Social Worker: $45.50
- Certified Social Worker: $65
-
Certified Independent Social Worker: $97.50