Licensure for School Social Workers in Iowa
School Social Workers in Iowa must have an MSW degree from an accredited school of social work, and they must be licensed by the Board of Social Work Examiners in the Iowa Department of Public Health and by the Board of Educational Examiners in the Iowa Department of Education. The Board of Social Work Examiners licenses an individual to practice social work in Iowa. The Board of Educational Examiners licenses social workers to practice in Iowa schools. The License to Practice Social Work in Iowa The Iowa Board of Social Work provides several levels of licensure to social workers in Iowa (See Iowa Code 1/10/01, 2/21/01, Ch 280, p. 1, Professional Licensure [645] for specific license requirements). Two of these levels, the LMSW and the LISW are acceptable for school social work practice. The Master Social Worker (LMSW) must: Possess a master’s degree or PhD. in social work from a college or university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Have passed the intermediate level examination of the ASWB (Association of Social Work Boards) Have previously and will in the future conduct professional activities as a master social worker in accordance with standards for rules of conduct described in rule 645—280.213(154C). The Independent Social Worker (LISW) must: Possess a master's or a doctoral degree in social work from a college or university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Have passed the clinical level examination of the ASWB (Association of Social Work Boards). Have engaged in the practice of social work at the master's level, under supervision, for at least two years (or 4,000 hours) as a full-time employee. Have been supervised by a social worker licensed at the independent level (LISW).
The License to Practice Social Work in Schools Social Workers must be licensed by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners to practice in schools. The Educational Examiners Board provides two options that license social workers to "serve as a school social worker to pupils from birth to twenty-one" (http://www.state.ia.us/educate/boee/speced.html). Option 1: School social work endorsement The individual applying for this endorsement must be nominated by one of the two programs approved by the Iowa Department of Education for the School Social Work Endorsement. The University's nomination states that the individual has completed: A Master’s degree in social work from an accredited school of social work, including a minimum of twenty hours of course work related to assessment, intervention, resource coordination, and education and a practicum in a school setting. The study must include: Courses in general education issues such as school law, foundation of education, and psycho-educational measurement Courses in special education such as exceptional children and special educational regulations. A practicum experience in a school setting under the supervision of an experienced school social work practitioner. The practicum must include experiences in assessment, direct services, consultation, community liaison and documentation. If the individual has served as a school social worker for two years the practicum experience can be waived. Completion of an approved human relations component (Individuals completing the approved school social work program at the University of Iowa are exempted from the human relations course because the content is included in the regular master’s degree curriculum) Preparation that contributes to the education of the handicapped and the gifted and talented. There are two approved programs for the School Social Work Endorsement in Iowa. The University of Iowa’s School of Social Work , contact Kate Kemp, Program Administrator, at the University of Iowa, School of Social Work, 308 North Hall, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1223, kate-Kemp@uiowa.edu, 319-335-1254. St. Ambrose University's School of Social Work, contact The School of Social Work at 563-333-6000 or 800-383-2627, or write at 518 West Locust Street, Davenport, Iowa 52803.
Option 2: Statement of professional recognition (SPR). The special education director (or designee) of an area education agency or an administrator in a local school district can submit a letter to the Board of Education Examiners requesting that an SPR (statement of professional recognition) be issued. The candidate for the Statement of Professional Recognition must have: 􀂌 􀂌 􀂌 􀂾 􀂾 􀂾 An official transcript reflecting the master’s degree (or PhD) in social work A license at the LMSW or LISW level from the Iowa Board of Social Work Examiners Documentation of completion of the human relations component. A temporary SPR (statement of professional recognition) can be issued for one school year for individuals that have not yet completed the human relations component or fulfilled the supervision requirement for a social work license. The individual must complete the human relations component by the end of the first year. Temporary SPR: A temporary SPR will be issued for one school year. An approved human relations course must be completed before the start of the next school year. The applicant must provide evidence that the human relations component has been fulfilled within the required time frame.
Frequently Asked Questions Should I get the School Social Work Endorsement or the Statement of Professional Recognition? At first glance, it may appear that Option 2 is the least complicated route to school social work practice. However, this option has some disadvantages to the practitioner. The holder of an SPR can practice as a school social worker indefinitely. However, they cannot move on to leadership positions within education. To be eligible to take the courses needed for administrative endorsements an individual must hold an entry level license in education. In the past, school social workers had to return to school to complete a teaching license. The School Social Work Endorsement made school social workers equal members of the education community. The Endorsement serves as the entry level education license for school social workers, enabling them to move on to leadership positions in education. I already have an MSW, but I did not do an approved program in school social work. How can I get the School Social Work Endorsement? Individuals with an MSW from the University of Iowa should submit a transcript to Kate Kemp, Program Administrator, at the University of Iowa, School of Social Work, 308 North Hall, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1223, kate-Kemp@uiowa.edu, 319-335-1254 to determine what if any additional work will be needed to be eligible for the endorsement. Individuals with an MSW from any other certified social work program should contact the Special Education Consultant at the Board of Educational Examiners, 515-281-34367, to begin the application process. Unless the individual already has completed the equivalent of an approved program they will need to contact one of the two approved programs to seek their nomination for the Endorsement. I graduated from the University of Iowa and completed the approved program in school social work, but did not apply for the school social work endorsement? You should contact: Lynn McMorris, Licensure Analyst, College of Education, Office of Teacher Education and Student Services, N310 Lindquist Center, at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, 319-335-5358, e-mail lynn-mcmorris@uiowa.edu. Go to the Office of Teacher Education and Student Services to learn more. I am certified to practice school social work in another state, what should I do to be licensed in Iowa? You will need to contact the Board of Social Work to apply for an Iowa license. Your current license must be directly verified by the state that granted the license. You will also need to contact Jane Heinsen, Special Education Consultant at the Board of Educational Examiners, 515-281-34367, jane.heinsen@iowa.gov, to begin the application process for the School Social Work Endorsement. I am a school social worker in Iowa. I have a Statement of Professional Recognition, but not the School Social Work Endorsement. I would like to pursue one of the administrative endorsements. What must I do? You will need to contact one of the two approved programs in Iowa to determine what you need to do to be nominated for the School Social Work Endorsement. Some of the courses required in the Approved Program for the School Social Work Endorsement also are requirements in the Administrative Endorsement. If you take those courses to fulfill the requirements for the School Social Work Endorsement you will be reducing the total number of courses needed to reach your ultimate goal of an administrative endorsement. See the courses in the Approved Program at the University of Iowa listed below, those courses marked with an asterisk fulfill the requirements of both endorsements.
Requirements for the State of Iowa Endorsement for School Social Work at the University of Iowa The Curriculum detailed below which is offered by the School of Social Work in cooperation with the College of Education meets the Chapter 1 STATE REQUIREMENTS FOR AN ORIGINAL SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER ENDORSEMENT – Endorsement 15.3 (15) School of Social Work Courses Students complete the 48 semester hour curriculum (if they have a BA in Social Work from an institution accredited by the Council on Social Work Education ) or 60 semester hour curriculum. Either of two concentrations are acceptable. The Dept. of Education Endorsement in School Social Work requires 20 s.h. coursework which demonstrates skills, knowledge and competencies in the following areas: Social Work: assessment, intervention and related studies; Education: General education, Special Education, Practicum Experience, approved human relationship component and Preparation contributing to education of handicapped and gifted and talented. Included in the 48 or 60 semester hours are the following required courses: 42:233 School Social Work 2 s.h. 42:296 Advanced Practicum in School Social Work 6 s.h. College of Education Courses General Education - choose at least one of the following: 2-3 s.h. 7B:102 History of Education 7B:130 Educational Sociology 7E/S:100 Foundations of Education 7S/7E:101 Introduction to Education (Independent Study) 7E:300 Design and Organization of Curriculum 7P:106 Child Development 7P:200 Educational Psychology (Independent Study) Preparation contributing to education of handicapped and gifted and talented* 7U:100 Foundation of Special Education 3 s.h. 7U 130 Exceptional Persons (No longer offered, but if taken previously, it will apply) 3 s.h. Special Education - choose at least one of the following: 3 s.h. 7P:134 Parent-Teacher Communication (independent study) 7P:136 Home-School Community Partnerships 7U:140 Characteristics of Disabilities 7B: 236 Administration of students with Special Needs 7P:263 Consultation, Theory and Practice 7P:347 Home/School/Community Systems Interventions Human Relations Component* This requirement is satisfied by completing the entire MSW as approved by a waiver request granted by the State. Contact Program Administrator for more information. Practicum Sites Any of the Area Education Agencies in the State of Iowa. Other school districts by arrangement. Practicum must occur in school setting under supervision of experienced school social work practitioner to include experiences in assessment; direct services to children and families; consultation; staffing, community liaison and documentation; which leads to development of professional identity and disciplined use of self. Supervision of student must be provided by an experienced School Social Work practitioner/Licensed Social Worker. Application information for initial application for Iowa School Social Work Endorsement is available at: http://www.uiowa.edu/~edstuser/Certification/app3info.html If you are interested in School Social Work endorsement in other States, you must contact that State directly. Iowa’s requirements may or may not fulfill other state’s requirements. *Courses contribute to Supervisor Special Education Support Endorsement. See Program Administrator for more information.
Links: Board of Educational Examiners, School Social Work Endorsement Iowa Board of Social Work, Frequently Asked Questions Iowa Board of Social Work, Supervision of LISW
Licensure Information -- an explanation of the two options for becoming a licensed school social worker, from the Department of Education website Option 1: School social work endorsement. Option 2: Statement of professional recognition (SPR)
There are two approved programs for the School Social Work Endorsement. They are: University of Iowa School Social Work St. Ambrose University, Master of Social Work Degree

Licensure for School Social Workers in Iowa

School Social Workers in Iowa must have an MSW degree from an accredited school of social work, and they must be licensed by the Board of Social Work Examiners in the Iowa Department of Public Health and by the Board of Educational Examiners in the Iowa Department of Education.

The Board of Social Work Examiners licenses an individual to practice social work in Iowa. The Board of Educational Examiners licenses social workers to practice in Iowa schools.

The License to Practice Social Work in Iowa

The Iowa Board of Social Work provides several levels of licensure to social workers in Iowa (See Iowa Code 1/10/01, 2/21/01, Ch 280, p. 1, Professional Licensure [645] for specific license requirements). Two of these levels, the LMSW and the LISW are acceptable for school social work practice.

The Master Social Worker (LMSW) must:

Possess a master’s degree or PhD. in social work from a college or university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
Have passed the intermediate level examination of the ASWB (Association of Social Work Boards)
Have previously and will in the future conduct professional activities as a master social worker in accordance with standards for rules of conduct described in rule 645—280.213(154C).

The Independent Social Worker (LISW) must:

Possess a master's or a doctoral degree in social work from a college or university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
Have passed the clinical level examination of the ASWB (Association of Social Work Boards).
Have engaged in the practice of social work at the master's level, under supervision, for at least two years (or 4,000 hours) as a full-time employee.
Have been supervised by a social worker licensed at the independent level (LISW).

The License to Practice Social Work in Schools

Social Workers must be licensed by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners to practice in schools. The Educational Examiners Board provides two options that license social workers to "serve as a school social worker to pupils from birth to twenty-one" (http://www.state.ia.us/educate/boee/speced.html).

Option 1: School social work endorsement

The individual applying for this endorsement must be nominated by one of the two programs approved by the Iowa Department of Education for the School Social Work Endorsement. The University's nomination states that the individual has completed:

A Master’s degree in social work from an accredited school of social work, including a minimum of twenty hours of course work related to assessment, intervention, resource coordination, and education and a practicum in a school setting. The study must include:

Courses in general education issues such as school law, foundation of education, and psycho-educational measurement

Courses in special education such as exceptional children and special educational regulations.

A practicum experience in a school setting under the supervision of an experienced school social work practitioner. The practicum must include experiences in assessment, direct services, consultation, community liaison and documentation. If the individual has served as a school social worker for two years the practicum experience can be waived.

Completion of an approved human relations component (Individuals completing the approved school social work program at the University of Iowa are exempted from the human relations course because the content is included in the regular master’s degree curriculum)

Preparation that contributes to the education of the handicapped and the gifted and talented.

There are two approved programs for the School Social Work Endorsement in Iowa.

The University of Iowa’s School of Social Work , contact Kate Kemp, Program Administrator, at the University of Iowa, School of Social Work, 308 North Hall, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1223, kate-Kemp@uiowa.edu, 319-335-1254.
St. Ambrose University's School of Social Work, contact The School of Social Work at 563-333-6000 or 800-383-2627, or write at 518 West Locust Street, Davenport, Iowa 52803.

Option 2: Statement of professional recognition (SPR).

The special education director (or designee) of an area education agency or an administrator in a local school district can submit a letter to the Board of Education Examiners requesting that an SPR (statement of professional recognition) be issued.

The candidate for the Statement of Professional Recognition must have: 􀂌 􀂌 􀂌 􀂾 􀂾 􀂾

An official transcript reflecting the master’s degree (or PhD) in social work

A license at the LMSW or LISW level from the Iowa Board of Social Work Examiners

Documentation of completion of the human relations component.

A temporary SPR (statement of professional recognition) can be issued for one school year for individuals that have not yet completed the human relations component or fulfilled the supervision requirement for a social work license. The individual must complete the human relations component by the end of the first year.

Temporary SPR: A temporary SPR will be issued for one school year. An approved human relations course must be completed before the start of the next school year. The applicant must provide evidence that the human relations component has been fulfilled within the required time frame.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I get the School Social Work Endorsement or the Statement of Professional Recognition?

At first glance, it may appear that Option 2 is the least complicated route to school social work practice. However, this option has some disadvantages to the practitioner. The holder of an SPR can practice as a school social worker indefinitely. However, they cannot move on to leadership positions within education. To be eligible to take the courses needed for administrative endorsements an individual must hold an entry level license in education. In the past, school social workers had to return to school to complete a teaching license. The School Social Work Endorsement made school social workers equal members of the education community. The Endorsement serves as the entry level education license for school social workers, enabling them to move on to leadership positions in education.

I already have an MSW, but I did not do an approved program in school social work. How can I get the School Social Work Endorsement?

Individuals with an MSW from the University of Iowa should submit a transcript to Kate Kemp, Program Administrator, at the University of Iowa, School of Social Work, 308 North Hall, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1223, kate-Kemp@uiowa.edu, 319-335-1254 to determine what if any additional work will be needed to be eligible for the endorsement.

Individuals with an MSW from any other certified social work program should contact the Special Education Consultant at the Board of Educational Examiners, 515-281-34367, to begin the application process. Unless the individual already has completed the equivalent of an approved program they will need to contact one of the two approved programs to seek their nomination for the Endorsement.

I graduated from the University of Iowa and completed the approved program in school social work, but did not apply for the school social work endorsement?

You should contact: Lynn McMorris, Licensure Analyst, College of Education, Office of Teacher Education and Student Services, N310 Lindquist Center, at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, 319-335-5358, e-mail lynn-mcmorris@uiowa.edu. Go to the Office of Teacher Education and Student Services to learn more.

I am certified to practice school social work in another state, what should I do to be licensed in Iowa?

You will need to contact the Board of Social Work to apply for an Iowa license. Your current license must be directly verified by the state that granted the license. You will also need to contact Jane Heinsen, Special Education Consultant at the Board of Educational Examiners, 515-281-34367, jane.heinsen@iowa.gov, to begin the application process for the School Social Work Endorsement.

I am a school social worker in Iowa. I have a Statement of Professional Recognition, but not the School Social Work Endorsement. I would like to pursue one of the administrative endorsements. What must I do?

You will need to contact one of the two approved programs in Iowa to determine what you need to do to be nominated for the School Social Work Endorsement. Some of the courses required in the Approved Program for the School Social Work Endorsement also are requirements in the Administrative Endorsement. If you take those courses to fulfill the requirements for the School Social Work Endorsement you will be reducing the total number of courses needed to reach your ultimate goal of an administrative endorsement. See the courses in the Approved Program at the University of Iowa listed below, those courses marked with an asterisk fulfill the requirements of both endorsements.

Requirements for the State of Iowa Endorsement for School Social Work at the University of Iowa

The Curriculum detailed below which is offered by the School of Social Work in cooperation with the College of Education meets the Chapter 1 STATE REQUIREMENTS FOR AN ORIGINAL SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER ENDORSEMENT – Endorsement 15.3 (15)

School of Social Work Courses

Students complete the 48 semester hour curriculum (if they have a BA in Social Work from an institution accredited by the Council on Social Work Education ) or 60 semester hour curriculum. Either of two concentrations are acceptable. The Dept. of Education Endorsement in School Social Work requires 20 s.h. coursework which demonstrates skills, knowledge and competencies in the following areas: Social Work: assessment, intervention and related studies; Education: General education, Special Education, Practicum Experience, approved human relationship component and Preparation contributing to education of handicapped and gifted and talented. Included in the 48 or 60 semester hours are the following required courses:

42:233 School Social Work 2 s.h.

42:296 Advanced Practicum in School Social Work 6 s.h.

College of Education Courses

General Education - choose at least one of the following: 2-3 s.h.

7B:102 History of Education

7B:130 Educational Sociology

7E/S:100 Foundations of Education

7S/7E:101 Introduction to Education (Independent Study)

*7E:300 Design and Organization of Curriculum

7P:106 Child Development

7P:200 Educational Psychology (Independent Study)

Preparation contributing to education of handicapped and gifted and talented

7U:100 Foundation of Special Education 3 s.h.

7U 130 Exceptional Persons (No longer offered, but if taken previously, it will apply) 3 s.h.

Special Education - choose at least one of the following: 3 s.h.

7P:134 Parent-Teacher Communication (independent study)

7P:136 Home-School Community Partnerships

7U:140 Characteristics of Disabilities

*7B: 236 Administration of students with Special Needs

7P:263 Consultation, Theory and Practice

7P:347 Home/School/Community Systems Interventions

Human Relations Component

This requirement is satisfied by completing the entire MSW as approved by a waiver request granted by the State. Contact Program Administrator for more information.

Practicum Sites

Any of the Area Education Agencies in the State of Iowa. Other school districts by arrangement. Practicum must occur in school setting under supervision of experienced school social work practitioner to include experiences in assessment; direct services to children and families; consultation; staffing, community liaison and documentation; which leads to development of professional identity and disciplined use of self. Supervision of student must be provided by an experienced School Social Work practitioner/Licensed Social Worker.

Application information for initial application for Iowa School Social Work Endorsement is available at:

http://www.uiowa.edu/~edstuser/Certification/app3info.html

If you are interested in School Social Work endorsement in other States, you must contact that State directly. Iowa’s requirements may or may not fulfill other state’s requirements.

*Courses contribute to Supervisor Special Education Support Endorsement. See Program Administrator for more information.

Links:

Board of Educational Examiners, School Social Work Endorsement

Iowa Board of Social Work, Frequently Asked Questions

Iowa Board of Social Work, Supervision of LISW

Licensure Information -- an explanation of the two options for becoming a licensed school social worker, from the Department of Education website

Option 1: School social work endorsement.

Option 2: Statement of professional recognition (SPR)

There are two approved programs for the School Social Work Endorsement. They are:

University of Iowa School Social Work

St. Ambrose University, Master of Social Work Degree

LINKS TO OTHER PAGES IN THE ISSWA WEBSITE