Virginia SW Requirements & Hours Tracker

West Virginia’s “Temporary Social Work Permit” is a short‑term credential that lets new or nearly‑graduated BSW/MSW social workers practice and sit for the ASWB exam while they complete full licensure. It is not a full license and does not carry its own practice‑hour requirement.

Below is a structured overview based on the West Virginia Board of Social Work’s rules, website, and the official Temporary Social Work Permit Application.

---

1. How West Virginia Defines a Temporary Social Work Permit

West Virginia regulations define a “temporary social work permit” as a six‑month certificate granted by the Board to an applicant who:

• Has earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work from a CSWE‑accredited program, and
• Has not yet passed the examination required by the Board. (law.cornell.edu)

The Board’s website similarly states that individuals with a BSW or MSW from a CSWE‑accredited school, including those in their last semester, may apply for a six‑month Temporary Permit that allows them to practice social work in West Virginia while preparing for and taking the appropriate ASWB exam. (wvsocialworkboard.org)

---

2. Who Is Eligible

2.1 Education

You are eligible if you are either: (wvsocialworkboard.org)

1. A BSW or MSW graduate

   • Degree must be in social work.
   • School must be accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

2. A final‑semester BSW/MSW student

   • You must be enrolled in your final semester of a CSWE‑accredited social work program.
   • Your social work program/department must verify that you are expected to graduate (see documentation below).

The official application clarifies that it is for a BSW or MSW graduate who has never attempted to test with ASWB before, or for a social work student enrolled in the final semester prior to graduating at a CSWE‑accredited university. (wvsocialworkboard.org)

2.2 Exam Status

• You must not have already passed an examination required by the Board. (law.cornell.edu)
• You must not have previously attempted the ASWB exam, according to the application instructions. (wvsocialworkboard.org)

2.3 Provisional License Restriction

• A provisional licensee is not eligible for a temporary social work permit. If you already hold a provisional license, you cannot also obtain a temporary permit. (law.cornell.edu)

2.4 Good‑character / background requirements

The application requires you to answer background questions, including: (wvsocialworkboard.org)

• Prior social work or other professional licenses and any discipline.
• Criminal history (misdemeanors/felonies).
• Physical or psychological impairments that could interfere with practice.
• Child‑support arrears and certain financial obligations (e.g., Workers’ Compensation).

“Yes” answers must be accompanied by explanations and supporting documents (e.g., court records, statements from treatment providers).

You must also:

• Provide three professional references (not related to you) who can attest to your character and professional/ethical behavior. (wvsocialworkboard.org)

---

3. What the Temporary Permit Allows and For How Long

3.1 Practice authority

• West Virginia law prohibits the practice of social work without a license or permit; the temporary permit is specifically designed to allow you to seek employment and practice while preparing to sit for the social work exam. (wvsocialworkboard.org)
• The Board’s website notes that the permit “enables approved applicants to practice social work in West Virginia while preparing to sit for the appropriate bachelors or masters social work exam.” (wvsocialworkboard.org)

3.2 Duration

• The permit is a six‑month credential. (law.cornell.edu)

3.3 Exam timing and attempts

• You must attempt the ASWB exam within the six‑month permit period. The Board states that no additional temporary permits will be considered if you do not test during that six‑month period. (wvsocialworkboard.org)
• By rule, a Temporary Permit holder may make up to four (4) attempts at the Board‑recognized examination. If you fail four times, you must petition the Board in writing before any further attempt; the Board may approve, approve with conditions, or deny the petition. (law.cornell.edu)

3.4 Supervision

• The Board states that “a permit holder should be under the supervision of a licensed social worker until he/she passes the exam.” (wvsocialworkboard.org)
• However, neither the statute, rules, nor application specify any minimum number of supervised hours or describe a particular supervision schedule for the temporary permit.

3.5 Continuing education

• A person with a temporary permit is not required to earn continuing education credits as a condition of holding the permit. (wvsocialworkboard.org)

---

4. Application Requirements and Process

4.1 Forms and identification

You must: (wvsocialworkboard.org)

1. Download and complete the “Temporary Social Work Permit Application” form from the WV Board of Social Work website.
2. Provide basic personal information and contact details.
3. Attach a copy of official government identification, such as a driver’s license, military ID, or passport.

4.2 Education verification

Depending on whether you are a final‑semester student or a graduate:

• Final‑semester student

  • Provide a letter of good standing or equivalent statement from the Chair of the Social Work Department (or program) confirming you:
    • Are enrolled in the final semester, and
    • Are expected to graduate at the end of that semester. (wvsocialworkboard.org)
  • After graduation, you must ensure an official transcript is sent to the Board showing date of graduation, degree conferred, and major.

• Graduate (BSW or MSW)

  • Provide an official transcript from the CSWE‑accredited program documenting:
    • Degree in social work,
    • Date of graduation,
    • Major (social work).
  • Transcripts must be sent directly from the university if electronic, or be on watermarked/security paper or with a raised seal if mailed. Copies or PDF printouts are not accepted. (wvsocialworkboard.org)

4.3 Professional references

• Provide three professional references on the Board’s reference forms. (wvsocialworkboard.org)
• References must:
  • Not be related to you by blood or marriage or be a close household partner.
  • Be individuals who perform (or performed) in a professional capacity (often licensed/certified in a learned profession).
  • Comment on your moral character and professional/ethical behavior.

4.4 Fee

• Include a $45.00 permit fee, paid by personal check or money order, payable to the WV Board of Social Work.
• Credit card payments are not accepted for the paper application. (wvsocialworkboard.org)

4.5 Background and disclosures

• Answer all background questions honestly (prior licenses, criminal history, health/impairment issues, child support arrears, etc.).
• Attach any required court records, explanatory letters, or professional statements if you answer “Yes” to any flagged questions. (wvsocialworkboard.org)

4.6 Submission

• Do not fax or email the application; completed applications must be mailed to the Board’s office: (wvsocialworkboard.org)

  • WV Board of Social Work
    PO Box 5459
    Charleston, WV 25361

• The Board indicates that permits are typically issued within 5–15 business days (or “up to ten business days” in the application) after receipt of a complete application. (wvsocialworkboard.org)

---

5. Practice Hours and Supervision Requirements

The question specifically asks about types of hours required (e.g., “1,500 hours of direct experience and 1,500 hours of supervised experience”).

5.1 For the Temporary Social Work Permit itself

Based on the current Board rules, official website, and the Temporary Social Work Permit Application:

• There is no stated requirement for:
  • A minimum number of direct client‑contact hours,
  • A minimum number of supervised practice hours, or
  • A minimum total number of experience hours

to obtain or hold a Temporary Social Work Permit in West Virginia.

All eligibility criteria are based on:

• Educational status (BSW/MSW from CSWE‑accredited program, or final‑semester enrollment),
• Having not yet passed and, typically, not yet attempted the ASWB exam,
• Background/character review and references, and
• Payment of the required fee and proper documentation. (law.cornell.edu)

5.2 Supervision expectations (without hour counts)

• The Board clearly states that a permit holder should be under the supervision of a licensed social worker until he or she passes the exam. (wvsocialworkboard.org)
• The Board does not prescribe:
  • A particular number of supervision sessions,
  • A specific ratio of supervisory hours to practice hours, or
  • A required number of hours of “direct experience” vs. “supervised experience” for the temporary permit.

Those types of hour‑based requirements appear in rules related to clinical or higher‑level licensure, not in the provisions for the Temporary Social Work Permit. The temporary permit is primarily an education‑plus‑exam‑eligibility document, not an experience‑based license.

---

6. Summary Checklist

To hold a Temporary Social Work Permit in West Virginia, you must:

• Have a BSW or MSW in social work from a CSWE‑accredited school, or be in the final semester of such a program. (wvsocialworkboard.org)
• Not have already passed the required social work exam (and, per the application, not have previously attempted ASWB). (law.cornell.edu)
• Not be a provisional licensee. (law.cornell.edu)
• Complete the Temporary Social Work Permit Application, including background questions. (wvsocialworkboard.org)
• Provide three professional references. (wvsocialworkboard.org)
• Submit official education verification (final‑semester letter and, ultimately, an official transcript). (wvsocialworkboard.org)
• Attach a $45 fee and a copy of government ID. (wvsocialworkboard.org)
• Mail the completed packet to the Board and wait for approval (generally within 5–15 business days). (wvsocialworkboard.org)
• Once issued, attempt the ASWB exam within six months and remain under supervision of a licensed social worker during the permit period. (wvsocialworkboard.org)

Crucially, no specific practice‑hour totals (direct or supervised) are required to obtain or maintain the West Virginia Temporary Social Work Permit; the permit is time‑limited and tied to education and exam requirements rather than to accumulated hours.