Become a Social Worker in North Dakota
If you’re interested in starting a career that allows you to promote social welfare and help vulnerable people, you can become a social worker in North Dakota. Home to the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota is part of the tranquil and scenic Great Plains region. While you have the opportunity to earn different licenses and work in a wide range of unique settings and environments, the average salary for social workers in North Dakota is $70,050. Here’s everything you need to know about how to become a social worker in North Dakota.
Path to Become a Social Worker in North Dakota
If you want to become a social worker in North Dakota, you’ll first need to meet specific education and experience requirements to receive a license. The North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners offers three separate licenses.
- Earn a Social Work Degree with CSWE Accreditation
The first step in becoming a social worker in North Dakota involves earning a bachelor’s degree in social work. Make sure that the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) has accredited the program you enter. If you want to obtain an LMSW or LCSW license, you’ll need to earn an accredited master’s degree in social work.
- Meet the Experience Requirements by Completing Field Hours
While there are three licenses that social workers can obtain in North Dakota, not all licenses have work requirements. For example, you don’t need to gain field experience before you apply for the licensed baccalaureate social worker (LBSW) license. In comparison, the licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) license requires 3,000 hours or more of supervised clinical social work.
- Obtain Your License
After passing the necessary exam and getting the experience you need, you can apply for a social worker license with the North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners. Keep in mind that you’ll need to pass a background check before you get your license.
Social Work Degree Programs in North Dakota
When you’re searching for social work degree programs that have been accredited by the CSWE, you’ll discover that there are four BSW programs and one MSW program you can enter.
BSW Programs in North Dakota
With a bachelor’s degree in social work, you’ll be able to apply for a license in North Dakota. You should also be able to enter an MSW program that you can complete in one to two years.
- Minot State University: Minot, Bismarck, and Fargo, On Campus, 4+ Years
- Sitting Bull College: Fort Yates, On Campus, 4+ Years
- University of Mary: Bismarck, On Campus, 4+ Years
- University of North Dakota: Grand Forks, Online and On Campus, 4+ Years
Master of Social Work (MSW) Programs in North Dakota
MSW degree programs help students take the next step in their social work careers. If you enter one of these programs, you’ll learn more advanced social work methods and theories. Your coursework might cover topics like social work policy and human development. North Dakota offers one accredited MSW program.
- University of North Dakota: Grand Forks, Online and On Campus, 1+ Years
Online MSW Programs in North Dakota
The University of North Dakota offers an online MSW program that you can complete in one year after you obtain your bachelor’s degree.
- University of North Dakota: Grand Forks, 1+ Years
What Types of Social Workers Are in North Dakota?
If you’d like to know how to become a social worker in North Dakota, there are three licenses you can apply for, which include Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). These licenses are made available by the North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners.
Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW)
Becoming a licensed baccalaureate social worker (LBSW) allows you to apply for entry-level positions in North Dakota. To apply for this license, you must first earn a BSW degree.
- Submit Your LBSW Application: This application must be submitted to the North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners.
- Take and Pass the ASWB Bachelor’s Exam: You must pay a $230 fee to take the exam.
- Complete a Background Check: Your fingerprints will be taken for a background check. You’ll also need to pay a $40 fee.
- Receive Your License: The LBSW comes with a $75 license fee and a $25 application fee.
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
When you receive an LMSW license, you’ll be able to practice social work in North Dakota and supervise LBSW professionals.
- Submit Your LMSW Application: You can submit your application on the board’s website.
- Take and Pass the ASWB Master’s Exam: A $240 fee is required for this license.
- Complete a Background Check: Your fingerprints will be taken to ensure you can pass a background check.
- Receive Your License: Make sure you pay the $75 license fee and $25 application fee to receive your license.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
This is the best social work credential you can earn in North Dakota. It allows you to perform clinical social work without needing to be supervised. You can also practice privately with this license.
- Gain Experience: At least 3,000 hours of clinical social work experience is required.
- Submit Your LCSW Application: This application can be submitted on the board’s website along with a $25 application fee.
- Take and Pass the ASWB Clinical Exam: The fee for this exam is currently $260.
- Complete a Background Check: Make sure you provide your fingerprints to complete the background check and process your application.
- Receive Your License: Once you meet all other requirements, pay the $75 license fee to become an LCSW social worker.
Social Work Licenses in North Dakota
Every state has different types of social work licenses. When you want to earn a social work license in North Dakota, you’ll have three options to choose from. These licenses are handled by the North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners.
Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW)
- Education Requirements: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
- In-the-Field Requirements: Experience isn’t required
- Examination: ASWB bachelor’s exam
- License Renewal Requirements: Renewal must occur every two years, 30 hours of continuing education, two or more hours in ethics
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
- Education Requirements: Master of Social Work (MSW)
- In-the-Field Requirements: Experience isn’t required
- Examination: ASWB master’s exam
- License Renewal Requirements: Renewal must occur every two years, 30 hours of continuing education, two or more hours in ethics
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in North Dakota
- Education Requirements: Master or Doctor of Social Work
- In-the-Field Requirements: At least 3,000 hours of clinical social work experience
- Examination: ASWB clinical exam
- License Renewal Requirements: Renewal must occur every two years, 30 hours of continuing education, two or more hours in ethics
Social Work Salaries in North Dakota
While the average salary for social workers in North Dakota is just over $70,050, there are numerous job types that you can qualify for. Each role has a different average salary.
| Child, Family and School Social Workers | 820 | $62,510
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| Healthcare Social Workers | 300 | $60,540
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| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | 260 | $58,510
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| Social Workers, All Other | 150 | $70,050
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Social Work Scholarships in North Dakota
If you want to start a career in social work, there are numerous statewide scholarship programs that can help you fund your education. Here are a couple of scholarships that might interest you.
Anderson Family Scholarship: This scholarship is available for North Dakota State University students. It’s an annual award of $1,000 that’s given to students who have a financial need and a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher.
Henriette Lund Scholarship: This scholarship provides one student at the University of North Dakota with an award of $1,000. Students can become eligible for this scholarship if they show promise as a social work professional.
Social Work Organizations in North Dakota
Once you become a social worker, you’ll have access to numerous organizations that develop and promote the practice of social work. These associations focus on elderly welfare, child welfare, and health care reform. The main organization that serves this state is the North Dakota chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.
FAQs
Does North Dakota Have Social Work Reciprocity?
Reciprocity is available from the North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners. However, you can only receive the same license if the requirements in your state are equal or more stringent than the ones that North Dakota maintains. You can apply by filling out an application form on the board’s website.
Make sure you include the documents that the application asks for. You may need to provide fingerprints to accommodate a background check. When applying for reciprocity, make sure you include a license verification form as well as a copy of the existing social work laws in your state. To submit an online application, you must pay a non-refundable fee of $150.
What Is the Best Way to Look Up My Social Work License in North Dakota?
When you want to look up your existing social work license in North Dakota, you can do so by visiting the website for the North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners. To access your information, you’ll need to enter your city, name, discipline, license level, and license number.