How to Work in the U.S. As a Foreign-Educated Social Worker

Social work is a rewarding career for many, and individuals that have received their education in social work outside of the United States might be wondering if it is possible to practice their profession after immigrating to the U.S. After all, social workers in the U.S. do receive decent pay and a fast-growing job outlook. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the average pay for social workers as ranging between $36,520 and $82,840, with the median annual pay being $50,390. Our guide helps you understand the process of working as a social worker in the United States, and we take the time to answer essential questions such as:

• What Is the Process for Working in the U.S. As a Foreign-Educated Social Worker?
• How Much Does It Cost to Work as a Foreign-Educated Social Worker in the U.S.?
• How Long Does It Take To Work as a Foreign-Educated Social Worker in the U.S.?
• Are There Any Restrictions to Working as a Foreign-Educated Social Worker in the U.S.?
• What Are the State-Specific Requirements for Foreign-Educated Social Workers?
• What Are the Immigration Requirements for Foreign-Educated Social Workers?
• Where Can I Get a Certified Translation?

What Is the Process for Working in the U.S. As a Foreign-Educated Social Worker?

This process might seem overwhelming at first, but it is fairly simple. You will need to meet basic U.S. education and examination requirements, in addition to obtaining a license to practice social work. Licensing for social workers is handled state-by-state, so make sure you choose a state to work in before reviewing the rest of this process. The steps for becoming a foreign-educated social worker in the United States are as follows:

1. You must ensure you meet the education requirements for U.S. social workers; most states require a master’s or a doctorate in social work. Check with the specific state you wish to work in for more detailed information on this. You will need to make sure that your foreign credentials meet the U.S. degree standards by obtaining a credential evaluation of your foreign education. This is done by submitting your original academic documents and certified translations of these documents to the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Service.

If you do need to complete additional U.S. social work education requirements after your foreign credentials are evaluated, you will need to find an education program that works with your existing credits as much as possible. This is key to completing additional education in as short a time period as possible.

1. After your foreign credentials have been evaluated, you can proceed to the next step of this process, which is examination. All potential social workers will need to complete the clinical level examination administered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). You will also need to check with your state to see if there are any additional examination requirements to meet,
2. Once you have passed the ASWB exam, you will need to obtain a license to practice social work in your chosen state. All states handle social worker licensing differently, so you will need to use this directory of state licensing requirements and social worker licensing boards provided by the ASWB for more detailed information. Keep in mind that you will also need to verify any experience requirements that may be required of social workers. Most of the time a set number of supervised work hours are required before a license is granted.
3. The final step in this process is ensuring that you have the proper immigration requirements that allow you to live and practice social work in your chosen state. There are a few different immigration options you may be eligible for, and if you have questions about the immigration process you shouldn’t hesitate to reach out to a qualified immigration lawyer.

How Much Does It Cost to Work as a Foreign-Educated Social Worker in the U.S.?

The costs associated with becoming a foreign-educated social worker in the United States are not inexpensive. You’ll need to factor in the cost of obtaining a credential evaluation of your foreign qualifications, any additional education courses you need to complete in the U.S., the cost of the ASWB examination, state licensing fees, and any internships or supervised working hours that you will need to support yourself while you complete. You should also note that immigration costs can be expensive depending on the type of visa that you apply for, and that seeking often-necessary legal immigration help might increase your costs. Overall, you should expect to spend several thousand dollars on this process from start to finish.

How Long Does It Take To Work as a Foreign-Educated Social Worker in the U.S.?

Becoming a foreign-educated social worker in the United States may take several years on average to achieve. A credential evaluation may take a few weeks and if you need to complete any additional education requirements this could take several months up to a year, depending on what is required. Preparing for the ASWB exam takes an average of three to four months, and state licensing may be an additional several weeks to a month or two depending on the paperwork that you need to gather and application requirements. You may also need to obtain a certain amount of supervised work experience which could be anywhere from a hundred to several hundred hours depending on state requirements. Immigration is most likely the lengthiest part of this process, and you can expect your visa application turnaround time to be anywhere from one to two years. Working with a U.S. immigration lawyer may help to speed up this process. In general, you should plan for this process to be completed between two and four years.

Are There Any Restrictions to Working as a Foreign-Educated Social Worker in the U.S.?

After you have met all education, examination, and state licensing requirements, in addition to obtaining a visa or green card that allows you to live and work in the U.S., you will be able to practice as a foreign-educated social worker without any restrictions. Make sure that you stay up to date with any ongoing requirements, such as education requirements, state licensing renewals, and immigration requirements.

What Are the State-Specific Requirements for Foreign-Educated Social Workers?

Every state has different requirements when it comes to licensing for social workers, which means you will need to check directly with your chosen state’s licensing board for details on obtaining a license. In general, you can expect states to require that you show proof of supervised and/or unsupervised working hours, proof of your educational achievements, and passing scores on the ASWB exam. You may also be required to complete additional state exams and ethics exams, pay a licensing fee, and adhere to continuing education or license renewal requirements. Use the ASWB’s website to compare license requirements in all U.S. jurisdictions, look up individual state licensing requirements, or view general laws and regulations regarding social worker licensing.

What Are the Immigration Requirements for Foreign-Educated Social Workers?

Social workers are able to choose from a few different visa types based on which option is best for their specific situation. In most cases, social workers are considered ‘skilled workers,’ which makes them eligible for employment-based visas, like the EB-3 visa. Keep in mind you will need a U.S.-based job offer and employer sponsorship to apply for this visa type. Other options for immigration include a TN NAFTA Professionals visa or a direct green card application. Additionally, if you need to complete any social work education in the U.S., you might need to first apply for a student visa before transitioning to a visa that allows you to work and live in your chosen state. Make sure to consult a U.S. immigration lawyer if you are wondering which immigration option is the best for your situation, or if you need help completing the immigration process.

Where Can I Get a Certified Translation?

Certified translations are vital as you start to consider becoming a social worker in the United States with a foreign education. You will most likely need a certified translation of your original documents as part of the credential evaluation step, and it’s helpful to have certified translations handy as you apply for state licensing or submit certain immigration applications. You can obtain reliable and accurate certified translations by visiting our online store; we translate important documents such as:

• Diplomas
• Academic transcripts
• Business licenses and certifications
• Resumes and employment records
• Birth certificates

Order Your Certified Translation