How to Become a CSWM in North Carolina: A Guide for Social Workers

CSWM represents one of four levels of social work credentialing available in North Carolina.

Social workers can advance their careers and access leadership positions by earning the Certified Social Work Manager (CSWM) certification. North Carolina’s Act for Certification of Social Workers (NC GS 90-B), established in 1984, made this credential a vital pathway toward administrative roles in social work.

The CSWM certification differs from the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential. While LCSW remains mandatory for clinical practice in North Carolina, CSWM certification enables you to practice non-clinical social work and supervise other social workers. The certification remains valid for up to two years before renewal, which gives professionals enough time to establish their management positions.

Step 1: Understand What a CSWM Does

The Certified Social Work Manager (CSWM) designation stands for excellence in social work leadership. You should understand what this role means and how it fits your career path before pursuing this credential.

What is a Certified Social Work Manager?

A Certified Social Work Manager is a social work professional who has shown advanced competency in leading and managing human service organizations. This credential confirms you have the skills and experience to lead competently in the social services sector. Expert panels carefully screen and review your expertise against management competencies.

As a CSWM, you’ll plan, organize, and direct complete social work programs through your supervisory staff. Your key duties include:

• Reviewing and interpreting federal, state, and departmental policies and accreditation standards
• Planning and implementing staff training programs
• Developing and maintaining facility policies and procedures
• Reviewing staff performance and making personnel recommendations
• Integrating social services with other facility and community programs
• Supervising social workers who provide direct client services

The CSWM credential shows your dedication to growing leadership skills and your expertise in managing today’s complex challenges in social work and human service organizations.

CSWM vs. other social work credentials

Licensure (like LCSW) mainly focuses on clinical practice qualifications, while the CSWM credential confirms your management and leadership skills. This difference matters—CSWM certification doesn’t replace licensure but adds to it as a “license plus” feature.

The CSWM certification process reviews your observable skills and abilities through a detailed look at your credentials, experience, and how well you follow professional standards. Social workers with this credential have an edge over others competing for leadership positions.

The CSWM is different from general social work credentials because it focuses on administrative skills rather than direct practice. Employers often look for credentialed professionals to fill key leadership roles and may include these voluntary credentials in their pay scales.

Where CSWMs work in North Carolina

North Carolina’s CSWMs work in organizations of all types, including:

• State mental health facilities
• Nonprofit organizations
• For-profit social service companies
• Government agencies
• Community service organizations

Your role might change based on the organization’s size. Large agencies often need specialized program managers who report to upper management. Smaller organizations need versatile leaders who represent the organization, oversee programs, manage budgets, and help with fundraising.

Management roles typically offer better pay and more strategic influence. These positions need strong people skills because you’ll coach team members, solve conflicts, and direct the relationship between team dynamics and organizational goals.

Understanding a CSWM’s role helps you decide if this credential matches your career goals in social work management.

Step 2: Meet the Education Requirements

The North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board requires specific educational qualifications before you can get your CSWM credential.

Accepted degrees and CSWE accreditation

Your CSWM certification starts with the right educational background. The Board accepts these degree options for candidates:

• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
• Master of Social Work (MSW)
• Doctor of Social Work (DSW)
• PhD in Social Work

Your degree must come from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This accreditation requirement is mandatory for North Carolina certification.

CSWE remains the only accrediting agency for social work education that the Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognizes in the United States. This exclusive status shows why CSWE accreditation matters for your career growth.

As of September 2025, 571 BSW programs and 398 MSW programs have CSWE accreditation nationwide. You should confirm your program’s accreditation status through CSWE’s directory of accredited programs.

CSWE-accredited programs follow strict standards that include:

• Minimum of 900 hours of field experience
• Faculty with CSWE-accredited MSW and doctorate degrees
• Systematic assessment of student outcomes
• Inclusive opportunities for student input

Programs must maintain their accreditation through quality improvements and face review every eight years. This quality assurance helps your professional development and credentialing opportunities.

Foreign degree equivalency process

Social workers with degrees from outside the United States need additional steps. The North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board needs foreign degrees to be confirmed as equivalent to degrees from regionally accredited U.S. institutions.

Your documentation should:

1. Prove the existence of the degree-granting institution
2. Confirm the degree, transcripts, and supporting documents
3. Show equivalent training level, curriculum content, and course credits
4. Confirm the equivalence of supervised experience from outside the U.S.

Send a course-by-course evaluation directly to the Board from an evaluation service that belongs to the National Association of Credentials Evaluation Services (NACES). You’ll find approved evaluation services on the NACES website (www.naces.org).

Documents in languages other than English need a translation with written verification from an approved translator. The Board must approve your translator through a written request, and they cannot have any relationship with you.

A simple translation from the original language to English isn’t enough. The international education evaluation service will compare your foreign education to U.S. education standards. The evaluation costs money, but it’s a necessary investment in your certification experience.

These educational requirements are just the beginning of your path to becoming a CSWM in North Carolina. After you confirm your qualifying degree, you can focus on getting the required experience.

Step 3: Gain the Required Experience

After getting your educational qualifications, your next big step toward becoming a CSWM is getting enough administrative experience with proper supervision.

3,000 hours of administrative work

The North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board wants you to complete 3,000 hours of post-degree paid employment to qualify for CSWM certification. You need to gather this experience within a specific timeframe—at least two years but no more than six consecutive years.

CSWM jobs focus on administrative and management functions rather than clinical social work positions that deal with direct client services. Your leadership skills will grow through:

• Program planning and implementation
• Personnel management and evaluation
• Budget oversight
• Policy development
• Interdepartmental coordination

You should keep careful records of your hours because you’ll need to prove this experience during the application process.

You must receive a minimum of 100 hours of supervision regularly while completing your 3,000 hours of administrative experience. Your supervisor needs Board certification as a Social Work Administrator at some level and should have at least five years of administration experience in Social Work or Mental Health settings.

CSWM candidates need supervision that follows these guidelines:

1. Regular meetings at least every two weeks
2. Documentation of supervision content and goals
3. Focus on administrative competencies rather than clinical skills
4. Supervisor signatures on records each quarter to verify progress

Supervision helps ensure quality and gives you a chance to develop professionally. Detailed records of these sessions will help with your certification application.

Group vs. individual supervision

The North Carolina Board lets you choose how to receive supervision. You can get up to fifty hours through group supervision, which means individual supervision must make up the other half.

Individual supervision gives you several benefits:

• Deep discussions about your specific administrative challenges
• Feedback that matches your management style
• A stronger connection with your mentor

Group supervision usually includes 2-10 supervisees and offers its own advantages:

• You learn different management approaches and solutions
• You get support from peers and networking chances
• The cost is often lower than individual supervision

Many CSWM candidates find value in mixing both formats. Group sessions show you different points of view, while individual meetings help you work through your specific leadership challenges.

Keep detailed records of all your supervision hours as you progress. Note whether each session was individual or group. These records will matter when you submit your CSWM application.

Step 4: Apply for Certification

Your next big step toward getting your CSWM certification comes after you gain the right experience. You’ll need to submit a formal application to the North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board, which has specific requirements.

Documents you need to submit

Your CSWM application requires several key documents:

• Completed application form with notarized signature
• Three professional references on Board forms in sealed envelopes
• Official transcripts from your degree-granting institution (must be sealed or sent electronically to the Board)
• Employer verification form documenting your administrative experience
• If applicable, out-of-state license verification form
• For those with foreign degrees, course-by-course evaluation from a NACES-approved evaluation service
• Documentation of your 3,000 hours of administrative work

Your application stays active for two years after submission. The Board denies incomplete applications, so make sure your documentation is accurate and complete.

Application fees and timelines

The North Carolina Board sets these fees for CSWM certification:

• Initial application fee: $145.00 (certified bank check or money order only, no personal checks)
• Biennial renewal fee: $150.00

The Board reviews applications in specific cycles:

• Spring Cycle: Submit by December 15 (decisions by January 15)
• Summer Cycle: Submit by April 15 (decisions by March 1)
• Fall Cycle: Submit by August 15 (decisions by August 31)

Late applications move to the next review cycle automatically. Your CSWM certification lasts two years and expires on June 30th.

How to handle background checks

The North Carolina Board runs background checks on all applicants. Under North Carolina General Statute 90B-11(a), the Board can deny certification based on criminal history.

Here’s what you should know about background checks before applying:

• Disclose all criminal history (excluding minor traffic violations) on your application
• For any criminal history, submit certified court records related to all incidents
• Include a cover letter explaining the circumstances and how they affected your professional and personal development

The Board looks at each case individually. According to G.S. 93B-8.1(b), anyone with criminal history can ask the Board to check their eligibility beforehand. This helps you understand any possible issues before starting the full application process.

The work doesn’t end with certification. You’ll need 40 continuing education hours (including 4 in ethics) every two years for renewal.

Step 5: Pass the Required Exam

The ASWB Advanced Generalist examination stands as your final milestone after getting your CSWM application approved. This significant step confirms your expertise and knowledge in social work management.

How to request exam eligibility

Your next step after approval requires submitting an Exam Request Form to the North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board with a $40 processing fee (payable by certified check, money order, or cashier’s check only). The Board will send you ASWB registration instructions after processing your request. Note that this exam approval lets you take the test just once during the approved timeframe.

The Advanced Generalist exam has 170 multiple-choice questions – 150 count toward your score while 20 don’t. Here’s how you can boost your chances of success:

• Download the free ASWB Examination Guidebook with study plans, reference lists, and sample questions
• The ASWB Online Practice Test ($85) offers retired exam questions that help you prepare
• Resources from NASW-NC’s Chapter Lending Library, like the Social Work Dictionary, are a great way to get extra help

Group study works well for many test-takers. Several NASW chapters run exam preparation courses throughout the year.

Exam fees and retake policies

You’ll pay $260 directly to ASWB when you schedule your test. ASWB requires a 90-day wait between attempts if you don’t pass. Each retake needs another exam request form and $40 processing fee submitted to the NC Board. The Board might waive the waiting period if your score came within 10 correct answers of passing.

A passing score earns you the CSWM certification and opens new paths to advanced management roles across North Carolina’s social work scene.

Get Your CSWM Credential Today

Getting your Certified Social Work Manager credential marks a key milestone for social workers who want leadership roles in North Carolina. This guide walks you through the five steps needed to get this valuable credential. The CSWM certification differs from other social work credentials as it focuses on management and administrative skills rather than clinical expertise.

The path starts with learning what CSWMs do and their role in North Carolina. You need to get the right CSWE-accredited degree – a BSW, MSW, DSW, or PhD in Social Work. The practical part involves 3,000 hours of administrative work under supervision. This helps you build essential leadership skills.

The application needs close attention to detail. You must gather all documents and meet deadlines. The final step is passing the ASWB Advanced Generalist exam to confirm your knowledge.

This credential helps you land better-paying jobs with more strategic influence in state facilities, nonprofits, and government agencies. A CSWM shows your dedication to social work leadership and proves your administrative expertise.

Your CSWM certification stays valid for two years before you need to renew it. This gives you time to grow in management roles. This investment in your career will pay off well, letting you create change beyond direct client services.