Remote LCSW & LMFT Jobs in Minnesota

How To Become a LICSW or LMFT in Minnesota

How to Become an LICSW in Minnesota

The Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in Minnesota is the equivalent of LCSW in other states. After you earn a bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited four-year college or university, you must meet the following requirements to qualify for licensure:

• Education: You must earn a master's degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The state also accepts graduate degrees from the Canadian Association of School Social Workers and Attendance Counsellors.

• Experience: You must complete 360 clinical hours in six clinical areas, which include: 8 hours in differential diagnosis and biopsychosocial assessment; 36 hours in assessment-based clinical treatment planning with measurable goals: 108 hours in clinical intervention methods; 18 clock hours in evaluation methodologies; 72 hours in social work values and ethics; and 18 hours in culturally specific assessment and intervention. You must also complete 4,000 hours of clinical supervised practice.

• Exams: You must pass the 170-question Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) examination. It covers topics such as assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and interventions. It also covers ethics and values.

• Fees: Minnesota requires a total of $93.25 licensure fee and a $260 fee for the ASWB clinical exam.

How to Become an LMFT in Minnesota

As you begin your journey toward LMFT licensure in Minnesota, you must first earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university. You must then meet the following requirements:

• Education and additional coursework: Candidates must earn a master’s or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy (MFT).

• Experience: The state requires candidates to have at least 4,000 hours of supervised, post-graduate supervised experience in the practice of MFT.

• Exams: You must pass the "Examination in Marital and Family Therapy," which is developed by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB).

• Fees: Minnesota requires a prorated initial LMFT license fee that cannot exceed $125. You must also pay a $365 fee for the AMFTRB exam.

Requirements for Remote Mental Health Workers (LCSWs & LMFTs) in Minnesota

Once you earn your license as an LCSW or LMFT in Minnesota, you can choose to work remotely in Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Rochester, or elsewhere and work with clients in the state. There are many full-time and part-time virtual work opportunities available in Minnesota, and here’s what you should know before applying for a remote position:

• Work-from-home therapist: As a remote mental health therapist, you must follow the same practices and protocols as your colleagues who work on site or in a facility. The key difference is that you will conduct your sessions virtually using computers, telephones, mobile applications, and other technology. Remember that you can only work with clients in the state in which you are licensed.

• Skills of successful remote therapists: Remote therapists use virtual mental health therapy tools and testing materials. This means you must have strong communication skills and be adept at using the necessary technology.

• Necessary documentation: It’s important to keep your resume and other professional documentation updated so it’s readily available for employers and state licensing officials.

• Additional training: Telemedicine companies may mandate specific training on how to use relevant technology and platforms, as well as best practices for good webside manner.

Companies hiring remote LCSWs and LMFTs in Minnesota often post open positions on job posting sites like Indeed, ZipRecruiter, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn, so this is a great place to start looking for virtual therapy work opportunities.