Montana Social Work License Requirements

The Montana Department of Labor and Industry’s Board of Behavioral Health (BBH) issues the following social work credentials:

Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW) – This license allows you to engage in social work at a basic entry level. This includes social work activities like:

• Providing information and referrals
• Explaining and interpreting psychosocial aspects of individuals, groups, and families
• Providing health and social services
• Conducting research related to social work
• Teaching and helping communities to organize

Licensed Master’s Social Worker (LMSW) – This license allows you to engage in social work as an advanced professional with specialized expertise in this field. You can do all the activities specified within the LBSW scope of practice, but at a more advanced level.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) – This license allows you to engage in the same scope of practice as an LMSW. You can also provide counseling and psychotherapy to individuals, groups, and families, and you have the option of engaging in independent practice.

Steps Towards Licensure

For licensure at any level from the Montana Board of Behavioral Health (BBH) you’ll need to:

• Graduate from a school that’s accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) or that is otherwise approved by the BBH; have your school send your official transcripts to the BBH
• Pass an exam sponsored by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), or another exam that is accepted by the Board of Behavioral Health upon review on a case-by-case basis
• Read Montana’s statutes and rules regarding social work; you’ll need to attest to having read these on your application for licensure
• Include three references with your application who can verify your moral and professional character; forms for these are included with your application
• Pass a fingerprint background check

You can apply for licensure online by creating an account with the Department of Labor and Industry, or you can apply by printing off the necessary forms from the BBH website and mailing them in.

After you’ve earned the appropriate degree in Social Work, but before you can become licensed, you’ll need to register as a Social Worker Licensure Candidate with the BBH, for a $200 fee. This will enable you to complete required supervised work experience, after which time you can register for the appropriate ASWB exam.

Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW)

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree in Social Work.
2. You need to fulfill a supervised work experience requirement. To do this, submit an LBSW Candidate Registration Form to the BBH. This will include:

A Training and Supervision Plan that you need to fill out with your supervisor

The materials necessary for completing your criminal background check

3. When the BBH approves your application for candidacy you’re authorized to start fulfilling the supervised experience requirement: 2,000 hours of post-baccalaureate supervised work experience over at least 18 months. Once you complete this your supervisor will notify the BBH by submitting an Evaluation of Supervised Experience form.
4. After you’ve completed your supervised work experience, have three professionals who are familiar with you send references to the BBH.
5. At this point the BBH will notify the ASWB that you’re cleared to test.
6. Register with the ASWB for its Bachelors exam. Once you pass this the BBH will issue your LBSW license.

Licensed Master’s Social Worker (LMSW)

1. Earn a master’s degree in Social Work.
2. You need to fulfill a supervised work experience requirement. To do this, submit an LMSW
3. Candidate Registration Form to the BBH. This will include:
4. A Training and Supervision Plan that you need to fill out with your supervisor
5. The materials necessary for completing your criminal background check
6. When the BBH approves your application for candidacy you’re authorized to start fulfilling the supervised experience requirement: 2,000 hours of post-graduate supervised work experience over at least 18 months. Once you complete this your supervisor will notify the BBH by submitting an Evaluation of Supervised Experience form.
7. After you’ve completed your supervised work experience, have three professionals who are familiar with you send references to the BBH.
8. At this point the BBH will notify the ASWB that you’re cleared to test.
9. Register with the ASWB for its Masters exam. Once you pass this the BBH will issue your LMSW license.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

1. Earn at least master’s degree in Social Work.
2. You need to fulfill a supervised work experience requirement. To do this, submit an LCSW Candidate Registration Form to the BBH. This will include:
3. A Training and Supervision Plan that you need to fill out with your supervisor
4. The materials necessary for completing your criminal background check
5. When the BBH approves your application for candidacy you’re authorized to start fulfilling the supervised experience requirement: 24 months of post-master’s experience in psychotherapy, including at least 3,000 hours of social work experience, with 1,500 of those hours in direct client care. Once you complete this your supervisor will notify the BBH by submitting an Evaluation of Supervised Experience form.
6. After you’ve completed your supervised work experience, have three professionals who are familiar with you send references to the BBH.
7. At this point the BBH will notify the ASWB that you’re cleared to test.
8. Register with the ASWB for its Clinical exam. Once you pass this the BBH will issue your LCSW license.

Renewing Your Social Work License

Social work licenses issued by the BBH expire every year. There is a $149 fee to renew these. You can renew online through your account with the Department of Labor and Industry, or by mailing in a renewal form. You’ll need to complete 20 hours of continuing education to be eligible for renewal, including two hours that relate to suicide prevention. However you’re exempt from the continuing education requirement for your first renewal. If you’re in the candidate status of your licensure process, you’ll also need to re-register (renew) annually with the BBH.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Social Worker in Montana?

The time it takes to earn a social work license in Montana depends on which level you’re going for. It takes approximately four years to earn a BSW degree and at least two additional years to earn an MSW degree. Factoring in required supervised experience requirements that means it takes at least:

• Four years to become an LBSW Candidate
• 5.5 years to become an LBSW
• Six years to become an LMSW Candidate
• 7.5 years to become an LMSW
• Eight years to become an LCSW Candidate
• 10 years to become an LCSW

Social Work Degrees in Montana

If you want to be a social worker in Montana you need a degree from a program that’s accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Currently there are three such programs, including one that’s offered online. While the CSWE doesn’t accredit doctoral programs, earning a degree at this level demonstrates that you’ve made a commitment to maximizing your knowledge and professional expertise in this field.

Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work (BSW)

Earning a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program fulfills the educational requirement for LBSW licensure. Montana is home to two such programs, including one that offers the option for online study. These programs are at least 120 semester credits, and include a field education experience that’s at least 400 hours. A BSW degree is a natural first step towards an MSW degree, which will qualify you for more advanced levels of licensure.

Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW)

Earning an MSW degree from a CSWE-accredited program fulfills the education requirements for become both the LMSW and LCSW licenses. Right now Montana is home to one such program. These programs typically include at least 30 semester credits. Being CSWE-accredited means an MSW program also includes a field education segment that’s at least 900 hours. This is an ideal chance for you to network with professionals and gain direct knowledge of what applied social work looks like.

Doctoral Degree in Social Work

Earning a doctoral degree in this field from a BBH-approved program can fulfill the education requirements for the LCSW license. Doctoral programs at this level are offered in two forms: a PhD in Social Work that can be more research-intensive, and a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) degree that can be completed in a shorter period of time and focus more on clinical aspects of social work. Both represent the highest-possible level of education in this field.

Reciprocity

You can qualify for licensure via reciprocity at any level if you have an active social worker license in another state, and you meet the education, exam, and supervised experience requirements for licensure in Montana. Out-of-state supervised work experience is acceptable. The Montana BBH needs your exam scores transferred from the ASWB and official verification of your out-of-state licensure sent from you state’s board of social work. Follow the process outlined above to apply for your desired level of licensure.

Social Work Salary Projections in Montana

In 2020 the US Department of Labor reported the following average annual social work career salaries, specifically for Montana:

• Social and Community Service Manager – $60,410
• Healthcare Social Worker – $50,740
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker – $38,710
• Child, Family, and School Social Worker – $40,390
• Social Worker, All Other – $44,320

Social Work Resources in Montana

Montana Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers – Counting approximately 500 members, this local chapter is a proud component of the nation’s largest organization of social workers numbering 145,000 members strong. Locally it focuses on strengthening the social work profession, promoting the development of social workers, and promoting community health through effective methods of social action.

Montana Healthcare Foundation – Primarily a funding and leadership provider, this organization underwrites the means for Montanans to tackle their toughest healthcare challenges. Going beyond just providing grants for things like behavioral health promotion and programs tackling substance abuse addictions, this organization brings strategic expertise to the table.

Career Opportunities in Montana

Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) – This state-level agency divides its services into six parts, including those for seniors, those for Montanans with disabilities, and those for families and children.

DPHHS Addictive and Mental Disorders Division – A division within the DPHHS, this agency focuses specifically on mental disorders, addictive disorders, behavioral health, adult mental health services, and child mental health services. Social workers are very familiar with this division and many work with it on a daily basis.

Providence Health and Services Montana – This not-for-profit network of care centers, clinics, and hospitals has been providing medical services in what is now Montana since 1864, before Montana was even a state. Behavioral health is included in its range of services, with a particular focus on eating disorders, adolescents, children, geriatrics, and neuropsychology. Inpatient hospitalization is available for emergency crises, along with psychiatric consultations and outpatient care.

Billings Public Schools – One of the largest school districts in the state, the dedicated teachers and staff in this agency are responsible for the foundational education of 16,649 students by the most recent count. This is provided from 22 elementary schools, six middle schools, and three high schools.

Eastern Montana Community Mental Health Center – The citizens of Eastern Montana have been served by this organization since 1967. Its mission is to provide substance abuse and mental health treatment services for 17 counties in the eastern portion of the state from 18 different locations. Residential and outpatient services are offered for a wide range of clientele.

Partnership Health Center – Based in Missoula, this organization was originally founded decades ago to respond to an overabundance of medically uninsured. Today it accepts clients with Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, and no insurance. It provides medical, dental, and behavioral health services, including individual counseling and group therapy.

Bozeman Public Schools – This district operates eight elementary schools, two middle schools, and three high schools. This includes Bozeman High School, the second-oldest school of its kind in the state –established in 1877– and today also the largest. Its list of alumni include an ambassador and a Senator.