Oregon Social Work License Requirements & Programs: Become a Social Worker in OR
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As in many areas of the country, Oregon is experiencing a shortage of mental health professionals, including social workers. According to KFF, only 31% of the need for mental healthcare is being met in the state.
Aspiring Oregon social workers may be able to benefit from the Oregon Health Authority’s Behavioral Health Workforce Incentive program, which provides scholarships, loan repayment options, and licensing fee sponsorship. Consequently, this may be a great time to pursue a social work degree and earn your Oregon social work license.
Popular Online Social Work Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Oregon Social Work Licensing Requirements
The Board of Licensed Social Workers oversees the Oregon social work license process. The Board offers four licensing options: registered baccalaureate social worker (RBSW), licensed master social worker (LMSW), clinical social worker associate (CSWA), and licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).
Each licensure type requires a master’s degree in social work (MSW), except the RBSW, which requires only a bachelor of social work (BSW). RBSWs, LMSWs, and LCSWs must take the appropriate exam administered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB).
We break down requirements for each Oregon social work license in the sections below.
Registered Baccalaureate Social Worker
RBSWs can practice basic generalist social work, including client advocacy, assessment and evaluation, case management, counseling, and intervention. They can also provide services in community organizing, consultation, education, referrals, and support the administration or development of activities, policies, and programs. They typically work on staff at hospitals, clinics, and agencies.
Oregon licensure requirements for RBSW include:
- Bachelor’s degree in social work
- Passing score on the ASWB bachelor exam
Licensed Master Social Worker
LMSWs practice advanced generalist social work and can offer nonclinical services in areas of client advocacy including assessment, counseling, case management, referrals, and treatment planning. They can also use their specialized knowledge to perform community organizing, consulting, education, nonclinical supervision, research, and policy and program administration.
Oregon licensure requirements for LMSW include:
- Master’s degree in social work
- Passing score on the ASWB masters exam
Clinical Social Work Associate
Earning your CSWA license is the first step toward becoming an LCSW in Oregon. CSWAs practice clinical social work under supervision at an agency. The CSWA credential allows you to gain the clinical experience you need for an LCSW license.
Oregon licensure requirements for CSWA include:
- Master’s degree in social work
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
LCSWs have completed the education, examination, and supervised training needed to practice clinical social work. LCSWs can provide services in advanced clinical assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of behavioral, emotional, and mental disorders or conditions.
Oregon licensure requirements for LCSW include:
- Master’s degree in social work
- At least 3,500 hours of postgraduate experience, including 2,000 hours of direct client care and 100 hours of supervision
- Passing score on the ASWB clinical exam
Social Work License Reciprocity in Oregon
Oregon does not offer reciprocity to social workers licensed in other states. Out-of-state licenses do not transfer and candidates must follow the application procedures for each license type summarized in the previous section.
However, supervised training and practice hours obtained in another state may apply toward Oregon social work license requirements. CSWA and LCSW applicants may confirm their hours via Board verification or by submitting a Previous Hours From Another Jurisdiction form.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education in Oregon
Oregon social work licenses can be renewed online. CSWA licenses expire each year, while RBSW, LMSW, and LCSWs expire every two years. In Oregon, social workers are responsible for keeping track of their renewal deadlines, which occur at the end of your birth month.
Renewal requires RBSWs, LMSWs, and LCSWs to upload continuing education (CE) certificates obtained through Board-approved sources. CSWAs do not have CE requirements.
RBSWs complete 20 CE units, including three units of ethics, three units of cultural competency, and two units of suicide risk assessment, treatment, and management. LCSWs must complete 40 CE units, including six units of ethics and six units of cultural competency. LMSWs complete 30 CE units, with four units of ethics and four units of cultural competency.
BSW Programs Available in Oregon
- George Fox University — Newberg (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $42,030 per year
- Pacific University — Forest Grove (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $27,518 per semester (full-time), $2,281 per credit (part-time)
- Portland State University — Portland (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $12,420 per year in state, $13,461-$33,012 per year out of state
- University of Portland — Portland (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $28,400 per semester
- Warner Pacific University — Portland (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $10,630 per year
MSW Programs Available in Oregon
- George Fox University — Portland (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist; School Social Work
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $794 per credit hour
- Pacific University — Forest Grove (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $887 per credit hour
- Portland State University — Portland, Eugene, and Bend (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Clinical or Direct Practice; Macro Social Work; School Social Work
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $463 per credit hour in state, $509-$690 per credit hour out of state
Oregon Social Worker Career and Salary Information
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Oregon social workers in child, family, school specializations earn salaries above the national average. Healthcare social workers also fare especially well in Oregon, with average annual wages ranking fourth among U.S. states and the regions of Eastern Oregon and the Oregon Coast ranking second and third among nonmetropolitan areas.
Long-term employment projections for 2022-2032 reported by Projections Central indicate positive job growth trends across all four occupations listed in the table below. Mental health and substance use social worker projections foresee a 16.2% employment increase. The other three career paths could experience growth between 12% and 14%.
| Occupation | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $62,780 | $30.18 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $81,390 | $39.13 |
| Mental Health and Substance Use Social Workers | $61,120 | $29.38 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $63,300 | $30.43 |
Social Work Associations in Oregon
- The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Oregon: The Oregon chapter of NASW educates members about changes in laws, continuing education requirements and opportunities, and other issues of interest to social workers employed in Oregon.
- The Oregon School Social Work Organization (OSSWA): The OSSWA plans workshops and conferences, supports the social work community, and works to raise social justice awareness in schools.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oregon Social Work
What are the different types of social workers in Oregon?
Oregon licenses four types of social workers: registered baccalaureate social workers, licensed master social workers, clinical social worker associates, and licensed clinical social workers.
How do I get licensed as a social worker in Oregon?
Oregon social worker license requirements depend on the licensure level. Applicants need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work and a passing score on the ASWB exam appropriate to their licensure type: bachelor, master, or clinical. Clinical social workers must complete postgraduate supervised experience hours.
How much do social workers in Oregon make?
Oregon healthcare social workers rank among the highest paid in the nation with average annual salaries of $81,390, according to the BLS. Child, family, and school social workers, mental health and substance use social workers, and “all other” social workers earn yearly wages in the $60,000 range.
How long does it take to become a social worker in Oregon
LBSWs can complete their BSWs in about four years. LMSWs and CSWAs add 1-2 years to earn their MSWs. If their bachelor’s degrees are in social work, they can apply for advanced standing admission to an MSW program and finish in one year. LCSWs can also earn their BSWs and MSWs in 5-7 years but must spend an additional two years (at minimum) completing their postgraduate supervised experience.
