Licensing and Credentials

Becoming an LMSW or LCSW

Professional Licensing Services

The Division of Professional Licensing Services issues more than 50 different authorizations to practice in the 38 professions licensed or otherwise credentialed by the department and Board of Regents. 

The Division also administers the registration system for licensed professionals. In order to practice or use a professional title in New York, a professional must be registered as well as licensed. The registration period is three years based on each licensee's month of birth  and expires  on the date indicated on each practitioner's registration certificate. It is the responsibility of the professional to maintain current registration and to notify the Department of any change of address or of name. If the Department does not have current information, the practitioner will not receive registration materials routinely.

Several units provide specialized services to professionals and the public, including:

Customer Service - for oral verification of licensure and registration, other state licensing agencies, and "freedom of information" requests or to verify license/registration status: (518) 474-3817 (at the menu prompt choose 1, then ext. 570) or online at www.op.nysed.gov/

Certification and Verification Unit - for  verification and certification, transcripts, and written "freedom of information" requests.  (518) 474-3817 (at the menu prompt choose 1, then ext. 390)

Registration and Fee Unit - for registration problems and data changes, including name and address: (518) 474 3817 x 410

Professional Corporations Unit - for certification of professional service corporation and certain "grandfathered" business corporations: (518) 474 -3817 x 400.

To write to a specific unit within the Division of Professional Licensing Services, letters should be addressed to the attention of that unit and sent to:

New York State Education Department
Division of Professional Licensing Services
Education Building
89 Washington Ave
Albany, NY 12234

Association of  Social Work Boards (ASWB) http://www.aswb.org

New York State Board of Social Work http://www.op.nysed.gov/csw.htm

New York State Office of the Professions http://www.op.nysed.gov

NASW Credentials

• the NASW Specialty Certifications Program
• the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW)
• the Qualified Clinical Social Worker (QCSW)
• the Diplomate in Clinical Social Work (DCSW)