<p>An MSW is required to do many forms of social work, including clinical practice. This has been the case for along time. In my state, to be able to bill an insurance company for therapy as a social worker, one must have a masters, 2 years of supervision by a more highly licensed clinician postmasters, and pass a higher level licensing exam as well. Continuing education is required to retain the state license. Some public sector jobs are different and some people who have no degree, but do some form of social services, call themselves a social worker in a generic way. If I were seeking clinical services, I would want to know what the training and degree of the therapist was. </p>