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NM Social Work Jurisprudence Exam QUESTIONS
AND VERIFIED ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE THIS
YEAR
Batch 1 – Licensing & Qualifications (Qs 1–25)
1. An applicant for the Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) license graduated from a
CSWE-accredited master‘s program two years ago, has passed the ASWB master‘s exam, and completed
the New Mexico cultures course. However, the applicant has a 19-year-old felony conviction for a
non-violent crime. What is the most likely outcome?
A) The board will automatically deny the application due to the felony.
B) The board may deny the application based on disqualifying criminal convictions as defined in
16.63.13.9 NMAC.
C) The board will approve the application because the felony is more than 10 years old.
D) The board must approve the application if the applicant presents character references.
Answer: B
NMAC 16.63.10.8(E) requires applicants to provide proof of any disqualifying criminal convictions as
defined in 16.63.13.9 NMAC. A felony may be grounds for denial regardless of how long ago it occurred.
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2. A BSW graduate applies for the LBSW license. The applicant is 19 years old, has a degree from a
CSWE-accredited program, and has completed the cultures course but has not yet taken the ASWB
bachelor‘s exam. May the board issue a provisional license?
A) No, a provisional license is not available for the LBSW level.
B) Yes, the board may issue a provisional license valid for up to one year to an applicant who meets all
requirements except the examination.
C) Yes, but only if the applicant has at least one year of supervised experience.
D) No, the applicant must pass the ASWB exam before any license can be issued.
Answer: B
*NMSA 1978, Section 61-31-11 permits the board to issue a provisional license to an applicant who
meets all requirements except the examination. The provisional license is valid for up to one year.*
3. A licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) has been approved to supervise an LMSW. After two weeks,
the LCSW moves out of state but offers to continue supervising remotely via video conferencing. Is this
arrangement permitted?
A) No, telesupervision is not allowed for social work licensing requirements.
B) Yes, as long as the LCSW maintains an active New Mexico license and the supervision meets board
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requirements.
C) Yes, but only if the LMSW is already licensed in another state.
D) No, an out-of-state LCSW cannot supervise a New Mexico LMSW.
Answer: B
Recent changes to the Social Work Practice Act allow for telesupervision. The supervisor must hold an
active New Mexico LCSW license and the supervision must meet all board requirements for content and
frequency.
4. An LMSW has completed 3,600 hours of post-master‘s supervised experience and applies for the
LCSW license. The board determines that 200 of the reported hours did not meet the definition of
clinical social work. What will the board likely do?
A) Approve the license because 3,400 hours exceeds the required minimum.
B) Deny the application and require the applicant to complete 200 additional clinical hours.
C) Grant a provisional LCSW license while the applicant completes the remaining hours.
D) Allow the applicant to substitute 200 hours of continuing education for the missing hours.
Answer: B
The board will count only the hours that meet the definition of clinical social work. If the applicant has
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completed at least 3,400 acceptable clinical hours, some boards might consider granting the license, but
they would require strict adherence to the 3,600 clinical hour standard.
5. An LBSW has been practicing for 5 years and now wishes to provide independent clinical services
without supervision. What must this social worker do?
A) Take a board-approved clinical examination and apply for LCSW licensure.
B) Nothing, an LBSW may provide clinical services independently.
C) Complete a master‘s degree in social work, accrue post-master‘s supervised clinical hours, and obtain
LCSW licensure.
D) Apply for an upgrade to LMSW without additional education.
Answer: C
Independent clinical practice requires the LCSW license, which requires a CSWE-accredited master‘s
degree, passage of the ASWB clinical exam, and 3,600 hours of post-master‘s supervised clinical social
work experience.
6. A social worker applies for LISW licensure. The application includes a master‘s degree in counseling, a
current LMHC license, and 10 years of post-master‘s supervised experience. Is this applicant eligible?
NM Social Work Jurisprudence Exam QUESTIONS
AND VERIFIED ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE THIS
YEAR
Batch 1 – Licensing & Qualifications (Qs 1–25)
1. An applicant for the Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) license graduated from a
CSWE-accredited master‘s program two years ago, has passed the ASWB master‘s exam, and completed
the New Mexico cultures course. However, the applicant has a 19-year-old felony conviction for a
non-violent crime. What is the most likely outcome?
A) The board will automatically deny the application due to the felony.
B) The board may deny the application based on disqualifying criminal convictions as defined in
16.63.13.9 NMAC.
C) The board will approve the application because the felony is more than 10 years old.
D) The board must approve the application if the applicant presents character references.
Answer: B
NMAC 16.63.10.8(E) requires applicants to provide proof of any disqualifying criminal convictions as
defined in 16.63.13.9 NMAC. A felony may be grounds for denial regardless of how long ago it occurred.
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2. A BSW graduate applies for the LBSW license. The applicant is 19 years old, has a degree from a
CSWE-accredited program, and has completed the cultures course but has not yet taken the ASWB
bachelor‘s exam. May the board issue a provisional license?
A) No, a provisional license is not available for the LBSW level.
B) Yes, the board may issue a provisional license valid for up to one year to an applicant who meets all
requirements except the examination.
C) Yes, but only if the applicant has at least one year of supervised experience.
D) No, the applicant must pass the ASWB exam before any license can be issued.
Answer: B
*NMSA 1978, Section 61-31-11 permits the board to issue a provisional license to an applicant who
meets all requirements except the examination. The provisional license is valid for up to one year.*
3. A licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) has been approved to supervise an LMSW. After two weeks,
the LCSW moves out of state but offers to continue supervising remotely via video conferencing. Is this
arrangement permitted?
A) No, telesupervision is not allowed for social work licensing requirements.
B) Yes, as long as the LCSW maintains an active New Mexico license and the supervision meets board
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requirements.
C) Yes, but only if the LMSW is already licensed in another state.
D) No, an out-of-state LCSW cannot supervise a New Mexico LMSW.
Answer: B
Recent changes to the Social Work Practice Act allow for telesupervision. The supervisor must hold an
active New Mexico LCSW license and the supervision must meet all board requirements for content and
frequency.
4. An LMSW has completed 3,600 hours of post-master‘s supervised experience and applies for the
LCSW license. The board determines that 200 of the reported hours did not meet the definition of
clinical social work. What will the board likely do?
A) Approve the license because 3,400 hours exceeds the required minimum.
B) Deny the application and require the applicant to complete 200 additional clinical hours.
C) Grant a provisional LCSW license while the applicant completes the remaining hours.
D) Allow the applicant to substitute 200 hours of continuing education for the missing hours.
Answer: B
The board will count only the hours that meet the definition of clinical social work. If the applicant has
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completed at least 3,400 acceptable clinical hours, some boards might consider granting the license, but
they would require strict adherence to the 3,600 clinical hour standard.
5. An LBSW has been practicing for 5 years and now wishes to provide independent clinical services
without supervision. What must this social worker do?
A) Take a board-approved clinical examination and apply for LCSW licensure.
B) Nothing, an LBSW may provide clinical services independently.
C) Complete a master‘s degree in social work, accrue post-master‘s supervised clinical hours, and obtain
LCSW licensure.
D) Apply for an upgrade to LMSW without additional education.
Answer: C
Independent clinical practice requires the LCSW license, which requires a CSWE-accredited master‘s
degree, passage of the ASWB clinical exam, and 3,600 hours of post-master‘s supervised clinical social
work experience.
6. A social worker applies for LISW licensure. The application includes a master‘s degree in counseling, a
current LMHC license, and 10 years of post-master‘s supervised experience. Is this applicant eligible?
