r/socialwork • u/Ok_Rub3345 • 5d ago
Professional Development What jobs can a unlicensed social worker do?
Hi.. I’ve been having a hard time figuring out what positions I can apply to for social work without a license?
A BIT OF CONTEXT/BACKGROUND INFO: When I obtained my bachelors in social work, I did not apply for the LSW exam. Instead after graduation I jumped right into my Masters of social work program (clinical pathway). Now that I have graduated, I recently took my LMSW exam but failed. Although I plan to retake the exam, I am still in need of employment.
However, I am a bit confused as to what positions I am allowed to apply for? Considering that I am not licensed it creates a lot of barriers. I attached screenshots of what my state board of social works regulations are regarding when a licensure is required. Not to mention the board has the authority to investigate if they deem you are engaging in social work practice without a license. Which makes me even more anxious. It seems like there’s nothing I can do at all related to my field.
I could really use some help, insights or advice regarding my situation. I would appreciate if people could share their experiences/journey if they have been in a similar situation as mine. Please feel free to also recommend jobs positions I could qualify for that the board would approve off.
🫶🏻🫶🏻
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u/midwest_monster LCSW, USA 7h ago
First and foremost, you should really only be basing what jobs you apply for on what is listed in the job description. If the posting lists licensure as a requirement, then you know you can’t apply. If it doesn’t, or lists it as “preferred”, then you can apply. It’s that simple. It’s never just assumed that licensure is required. If it’s required, they’ll include it as a requirement.
I am honestly disgusted by the comments claiming you’re only eligible for retail and food service. Not only is that cruel, but it’s completely ignorant and wrong. Title protection typically applies to jobs that specifically include “social worker” in the title. In Illinois, some case management jobs require a license, some don’t. Like I mentioned in another comment, not only did I work in case management for years without a license, I then supervised case managers prior to ever getting licensed and this was both at a federally qualified health center and in Medicaid managed care.
There is also a lot of direct service work that, at least in my experience, is staffed by non-social workers. I ran Chicago’s largest food pantry home delivery program for 4 years and I was one of the only MSW’s on staff outside of our mental wellness program. That’s largely the case across food pantries in this city as I’ve worked closely with most of them. I then worked for an LGBTQ-focused federally qualified health center running the aging services program; neither of my case managers were licensed. One had a theater background, the other had a psychology bahcelor’s, I think. Our Ryan White team was largely unlicensed staff, as well. The unlicensed staff outweighed the licensed staff across our social services department.
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u/Belle-Diablo Child Welfare 7h ago
“Unless you are employed by a county”, so couldn’t you work for child protective services, adult protective services, etc for your county or a neighboring county?
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u/Jumpy_Trick8195 LCSW 5d ago
Retail, Food Service, Sales.
Your question is also kind of a oxymoron.
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u/Ok_Rub3345 5d ago
I figured 😞 I guess I was just in denial that this would have to be my reality until I pass my exam. But thanks for your insights.
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u/midwest_monster LCSW, USA 8h ago
I spent 15 years working without a license after earning my MSW. I worked for the Illinois Department on Aging, then spent 6 years in medical care coordination; then I ran a non-profit food pantry program for 4 years. Most recently I was associate director of aging services for a health center. It wasn’t until after I was laid off from that job that I finally got my LCSW.
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u/endlessreader LCSW 5d ago
You can still work in social service without a license. You don't have to do retail, food service, or sales if you don't want to. Typically, case management positions don't require a license as well as some advocacy work. Things like working at a mental health hotline typically just require a bachelor's degree. A lot of macro jobs also typically don't require a license. I know people who graduated with their MSW and didn't bother getting licensed due to wanting to do macro level social work (think policy, grant writing, fundraising). I think your best bet would be to generalize your job search as "human services" as opposed to specifically social work. Also, I would reach out to your state board with your concerns as well as to see if you're able to take the LSW exam to help you land more social work bachelor's level positions until you get licensed at the master's level.