State
Board
of
Education
Licensure Considerations for the Hiring of
Social Workers in the School Setting
This document is intended to assist schools and districts with understanding the Ohio State Board of Education
licenses and registrations held by social workers in the state of Ohio. Social workers are an integral part of
supporting students by providing services that increase emotional well-being and academic achievement. They
work with parents, caregivers and community partners to help schools meet the needs of each child.
Background and Current Status
Traditionally, social workers have been required to hold a Five-Year Professional Pupil Services License in the
area of School Social Work to work in the school environment. However, changes to Ohio law created a new
Pupil Services Registration option for social workers. This allows Licensed Social Workers and Licensed
Independent Social Workers to work in the school environment under the pupil services registration issued by
the Ohio State Board of Education. Any individual who holds a currently valid license from the Ohio Counselor,
Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board (Professional Board) to work as a social worker is
eligible to apply for the Pupil Services Registration and work in the school environment.
This new registration option provides schools and districts with more flexibility in the hiring of social workers, but
also requires schools and districts to have a deeper understanding of the backgrounds and the varying scopes
of practice of applicants when making social worker employment decisions. This document was created to
provide schools and districts with an understanding of:
• Each Professional Board-issued license and State Board of Education-issued license and registration;
• The educational and experiential background the social worker will bring to the school or district; and
• The scope of practice the social worker is authorized to engage in.
Five-Year Professional Pupil Services License
To qualify for a State Board of Education Five-Year Professional Pupil Services License in the area of School
Social Work, an applicant must meet the following requirements:
• Hold a master’s degree from an accredited college or university;
• Hold a current Licensed Social Worker or Licensed Independent Social Worker license issued by the
Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board; and
• Have completed an Ohio Department of Higher Education approved graduate educator program of
preparation in the area of school social work. Information about applying for licensure can be found on
the Ohio State Board of Education Pupil Services Licensure and Registration webpage
.
SCOPE OF PRACTICE FOR AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HOLDS A FIVE-YEAR PROFESSIONAL PUPIL
SERVICES LICENSE IN SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK ISSUED BY THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Social workers who hold a State Board of Education Professional Pupil Services License in the area of School
Social Work have specialized training in school systems and laws and provide a variety of direct and
indirect services. This training provides individuals with the skills and knowledge to promote safe and supportive
school environments and support social, emotional, behavioral, and academic growth for students. Individuals
who hold a Professional Pupil Services License in the area of School Social Work can provide the following
services:
• Develop and implement schoolwide social, emotional and behavioral frameworks and programs
• Assist in obtaining and coordinating community resources to meet students’ needs
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State
Board
of
Education
• Make referrals and support linkage to behavioral health services as appropriate
• Participate in special education assessment and planning meetings
• Complete bio-psychosocial assessments to identify needs
• Develop and implement individual, group and classroom-based interventions
• Provide direct mental health counseling services
• Assess for safety and provide crisis intervention services
• Provide classroom-based behavior intervention support and consultation with teachers
• Provide consultation regarding school law and policy, including Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA)
and Section 504
Five-Year Pupil Services Social Work Registration
To qualify for a State Board of Education Five-Year Pupil Services Social Work Registration, an applicant must
hold a current license as a Licensed Social Worker or a Licensed Independent Social Worker from the Ohio
Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board. Information about applying for a
registration can be found on the Ohio State Board of Education Pupil Services Licensure and Registration
webpage.
The scope of practice for an individual who holds a State Board of Education Pupil Services Registration is
dependent upon the license the individual holds with the Professional Board. School and district administrators
making hiring decisions must ensure an applicant’s Professional Board-issued license aligns to the duties
required of the position.
SCOPE OF
PRACTICE F OR AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HOLDS T HE STATE BO ARD OF EDUCATION
REGISTRATION AND IS A PROFESSIONAL BOARD LICENSED SOCIAL WORKER
Licensed Soc
ial Workers have specialized training in human development and behavioral health. They have
training to work with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. Many Licensed Social Workers
have chosen to specialize in an area of practice such as mental health and addiction, child welfare, healthcare,
criminal justice, military or aging. Licensed Social Workers can have a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree.
Licensed Social Workers can provide the following services:
• Develop and implement schoolwide social, emotional and behavioral frameworks and programs
• Assist in obtaining and coordinating community resources to meet students’ needs
• Make referrals and support linkage to behavioral health services as appropriate
• Participate in special education assessment and planning meetings (may need training and professional
development in special education law and policy)
• Complete bio-psychosocial assessments to identify needs
• Provide individual, group, classroom-based and family interventions
• Provide individual, group and family counseling under supervision from a Licensed Independent Social
Worker or other appropriate professional
• Provide classroom-based behavior intervention support and consultation with teachers
• Assess for safety and provide crisis intervention services under supervision from a Licensed Independent
Social Worker or other appropriate professional
SCOPE
OF PRACTICE FOR AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HOLDS THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
REGISTRATION AND IS A PROFESSIONAL BOARD LICENSED INDEPENDENT SOCIAL WORKER
Li
censed Independent Social Workers have specialized training in human development and behavioral health.
They have a master’s degree and the training and expertise to provide clinical services without supervision.
Licensed Independent Social Workers can provide the following services:
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State
Board
of
Education
• Develop and implement schoolwide social, emotional and behavioral frameworks and programs
• A
ssist in obtaining and coordinating community resources to meet students’
needs
• M
ake referrals and support linkage to behavioral health services as appropri
ate
• P
rovide classroom-based behavior intervention support and consultation with teacher
s
• P
articipate in special education assessment and planning meetings (may need training and professi
onal
dev
elopment in special education law and policy
)
• C
omplete bio-psychosocial assessments to identify
needs
• C
onduct diagnostic assessments of mental and emotional disorder
s
• D
evelop and implement individual, group and classroom-based interventi
ons
• Provide direct mental health counseling services
• A
ssess for safety and provide crisis intervention service
s
• P
rovide clinical supervision of Licensed Social Workers (except for their training supervision)
and
Li
censed Professional Counselor
s
Contact the Ohio State Board of Education’s Office of Educator Licensure and Effectiveness by phone at 855-
983-4868 or by email at educator.licensure@sboe.ohio.gov
if you have any questions or concerns regarding
l
icensure or registration with the Ohio State Board of Education
.
C
ontact the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board by phone at 614-466-
0912 or by email at [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns regarding licensure as a
Licensed Social Worker or as an Licensed Independent Social Worker.
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