School Social Work Licensure

Qualifications for Licensure

TSPC Professional School Social Worker License

Scope of Licensure 

584-245-0300 Scope of School Social Worker License

Diversity License Expense Reimbursement 

Teachers Standards and Practices Commission has recently announced the exciting expansion of the Diversity License Expense Reimbursement.  This program is designed to reimburse the application fees for School Social Workers of Color with the goal of increasing BIPOC School Social Workers in Oregon.  Please see the TSPC website for further information.

​PRELIMINARY SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER LICENSE ​All application fees are non-refundable. Before you pay your fee, please make sure you can meet the minimum qualifications for the Preliminary School Social Worker License.

Note: If you are licensed (active or expired) as a school social worker in another state or country and have never held an Oregon educator license, you must first apply for the Reciprocal School Social Worker License.

Type of License: The Preliminary School Social Worker License is issued to educators who have completed a school social worker preparation program and hold a master’s degree. It is valid for prekindergarten to grade 12 school administration in any school social worker position.

Term of License: Three years. Continuously renewable.

To meet the minimum qualifications to apply for the Preliminary School Social Worker License, you must:

  • Hold a master’s or higher degree in social work (regionally-accredited or foreign equivalent);
  • Have completed an initial graduate program in school social work as part of the master’s degree or separately at an institution approved for school social worker education;
  • Pass the required Protecting Student and Civil Rights in the Educational Environment exam;
  • Pass a criminal background clearance, including fingerprints, if necessary.

Note: It is optional to move to the Professional School Social Worker License. The Preliminary School Social Worker License may be renewed continuously.

Back to Personnel Licenses

For additional information on demonstrating proof of having completed an initial graduate program in school social work as part of the master’s degree or separately at an institution approved for school social worker education, please see Portland State’s School Social Work Licensure page for resources and contact information. Please note that you will have to go through this process whether you are applying as a current MSW student or as a professional with verification of equivalency.

Leave a comment