There was once a magical letter known as “R”—a coveted status attached to the LCSW license, signifying advanced clinical expertise and reimbursement eligibility for insurance. The LCSW-R designation, once an essential stepping stone for many social workers in New York, vanished into thin air, leaving applicants in a bureaucratic maze. And just as I reached out to touch this elusive “R,” it disappeared before my eyes, taking my application fee with it.
It’s not every day that you apply for a credential, and in the middle of the process, that credential ceases to exist. But that’s precisely what happened when I applied for the LCSW-R. I paid the fee, filled out the paperwork, and awaited my upgraded title. Little did I know, the “R” had already been condemned to the history books of social work regulation.
Naturally, I did what any diligent applicant would do—I called the Office of Professions. Surely, a refund would be issued for the now-defunct credential, right? After all, the “R” was no longer on the menu, so they couldn’t exactly serve it to me.
When I finally got through, I was met with polite confusion and unshakable bureaucracy. A refund? No, the Office of Professions does not engage in such trivial matters. The money had been received, the application was processed, and whether the “R” was granted or not, the fee remained firmly in their hands. It was as though I had paid for a ticket to a movie that would never play—but my seat was non-refundable.
This ironic little adventure brought me face-to-face with the realities of social work regulation. In the world of professions, things are always changing—sometimes for the better, and sometimes for reasons only the regulators understand. One day, you’re applying for a special designation, and the next day, you’re stuck in limbo, wondering if anyone will acknowledge that the rules of the game have shifted beneath your feet.
The disappearance of the LCSW-R raises larger questions about regulation in the field of social work. For years, social workers have had to navigate an ever-evolving landscape of licenses, certifications, and continuing education requirements. And just when you think you’ve caught up, there’s always something new around the corner. Sometimes it feels like we’re playing a game of hide-and-seek with the Office of Professions—except they’re the ones hiding, and we’re stuck seeking answers, clarity, or at least a refund.
But while we social workers may not have our precious “R” anymore, we still have our resilience—and perhaps a new appreciation for irony. After all, in a profession dedicated to helping others navigate uncertainty, it’s only fitting that we ourselves sometimes find the rules a bit murky.
So here’s to the vanished “R,” the money that wasn’t refunded, and the lessons learned along the way. And if the Office of Professions ever feels like resurrecting the “R,” I’ll be ready—just don’t expect me to pay twice.
Max E. Guttman is the owner of Mindful Living LCSW, PLLC, a private mental health practice in Yonkers, New York.
