Resources on this Page
- Social Workers in Nevada
- Educational Requirements
- Licensure
- Employment Outlook
- Salaries
- Careers
- Continuing with an Advanced Degree
- Resources
As of February 2007:
- There are 606 licensed clinical social workers in the state of Nevada (LCSW’s)
- There are 79 current interns (working for their LCSW license)
- There are 1269 licensed social workers in the state of Nevada (LSW’s)
- There are 25 licensed independent social workers (LASW’s)
- There are currently 14 provisional licenses issued for social work
The Department of Health and Human Services for the State of Nevada indicated recently that within the next 5 years there will be a 43% turnover of social workers that currently work for the state. This is significant due to the amount of jobs that will open up for social workers, and there is already a significant workforce shortage of social workers in our state.
Check out our open Field Education Coordinator position by clicking on the Job Openings link to the left.
To be a social worker, one must have a degree in social work from a college or university program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) www.cswe.org. The undergraduate degree is the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). The bachelor's degree prepares graduates for entry-level work, whereas the Master of Social Work (MSW) degree is for more advanced practice.
Many social service positions within Nevada and through-out the United States require a social work license. The Board of Examiners for Social Workers was instituted by the Nevada Legislature to license persons who meet established standards, to investigate complaints against licensed social workers, to impose disciplinary action against persons who violate social work laws, and to regulate the practice of social work. Individuals who are interested in pursuing licensure must meet the following requirements:
- Applicants must be at least 21 years of age.
- Applicants must be citizens of the United States or must be lawfully entitled to remain and work in the United States.
- Applicants must possess a baccalaureate or master of social work degree from a college or university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) or one which is a candidate for such accreditation.
- Applicants must pass the baccalaureate level examination of the American Association of State Social Work Boards (AASSWB) www.aasswb.org examination.
An applicant is eligible to take the licensing exam when enrolled in the last semester of a social work degree program; however, a license cannot be issued before official transcripts are received. Students should be aware that the examination and licensing process may take several weeks/months to complete. If you need a license application or information related to social work licensing or social work practice, please contact:
Board of Examiners for Social Workers
4600 Kietzke Lane, Suite C121
Reno , Nevada 89502
(775) 688-2555
http://socwork.nv.gov
Social workers held about 468,000 jobs in 2000. About 1 out of 3 jobs were in state, county, or municipal government agencies, primarily in departments of health and human services, mental health, social services, child welfare, housing, education, and corrections. Most private sector jobs were in social service agencies, hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies, and other health centers or clinics.
Employment of social workers is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through 2010. Competition for social work jobs is stronger in cities where demand for services is often highest, training programs for social workers are prevalent, and interest in available positions is strongest. However, opportunities should be good in rural areas, which often find it difficult to attract and retain qualified staff.
Nationally, the average salary for an entry-level social worker is $32,500, depending on the type of work, experience, and geographic factors. Social workers with supervisory experience, many years of experience, and/or M.S.W. degrees earn average salaries of approximately $47,000. Social workers who are in private practice or in administrative positions can make up to or over $100,000 per year. Social workers who work for the State of Nevada typically make between $35,600 and $57,500.
For sheer variety, few occupations can match social work, which offers the broadest range of opportunities and settings. Social workers are found in public agencies, private businesses, hospitals, clinics, schools, nursing homes, private practices, police departments, courts, and countless other interesting workplaces.
Below is a small sampling of some professional capacities social workers serve in:
- Clinical/Mental Health Social Worker
- School Social Worker
- Adoption/Family Preservation
- Child Protective Services
- Hospital Social Worker
- Hospice/Bereavement Counseling
- Rehabilitation/Disabilities Counselor
- Public Assistance Worker
- Human Rights/Community Activist
- Domestic Violence/Family Counselor
- Gerontological Social Work
Continuing with an Advanced Degree
After receiving a BSW degree, many social workers eventually decide to continue their education in a MSW program. Although most M.S.W. degrees require the equivalent of two full-time years of study, some graduate programs provide an accelerated course of study for applicants who have a BSW. Accelerated courses of study are generally referred to as "advanced standing" programs and can typically be completed within one year. Students who are accepted into an advanced standing program bypass the foundation content and move directly into the concentration curriculum.
For information about career opportunities in social work and voluntary credentials for social workers, contact:
National Association of Social Workers, 750 First St. NE., Suite 700, Washington, DC 20002-4241 http://www.socialworkers.org
For a listing of accredited social work programs or to order a Directory of Colleges and Universities with Accredited Social Work Degree Programs for a nominal charge, contact:
Council on Social Work Education, 1725 Duke St., Suite 500 , Alexandria , VA 22314-3457 http://www.cswe.org
Information on licensing requirements and testing procedures for each state may be obtained from state licensing authorities, or from:
Association of Social Work Boards, 400 South Ridge Parkway, Suite B, Culpeper, VA 22701 http://www.aswb.org
Career Opportunities
Visit the Social Work section of the CHHS Main Career Opportunities for ideas regarding your future.