Social Work Licensing Guide
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You want a career helping people and communities navigate problems, so you choose to become a social worker. However, the different licenses, regulations, and acronyms can make it hard to know which social work education and licensing path to choose.
This guide can help you navigate the seemingly complex licensing process for social workers. Learn about common license types, requirements, and the careers you can pursue with each license.
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Different Types of Social Work Licenses
According to the Association of Social Work Boards, each U.S. state and territory has its own standards for social work licensure and practice.
Licensed baccalaureate social worker (LBSW), licensed master social worker (LMSW), and licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) are the most common types of social work licenses. However, not all states offer these license levels and license titles may vary by state.
Some states have licensing requirements for social work associates who do not have a bachelor of social work (BSW) or those who hold a bachelor’s in a field other than social work. Several states use similar license types and requirements, such as a master of social work (MSW) and 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience for clinical social worker licenses.
In South Dakota, for example, the entry-level license type is a social work associate. The state’s highest level of licensure is a certified social worker in private or independent practice (CSW-PIP). If you become a CSW-PIP, you can practice clinical social work independently after you complete an MSW and the supervised experience requirements.
Contact your state’s social work licensing board to explore the license level types and requirements.
Social Work Licensure Requirements by State
Social worker requirements require a combination of education, experience, and examination. However, licensure levels and requirements differ significantly by state.
Find specific licensing requirements for each state, governed by the state’s board of social work.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Lousiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington DC
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
How Do I Get a Social Work License?
Every state regulates its own social work license guidelines, so you must check with your state board to ensure you meet the licensure requirements. In most states, you need to complete four steps to become a licensed social worker. These steps may differ if you want to become a social work associate.
- Earn a Social Work Degree: Plan to spend 4-7 years completing your social work degree(s), depending on which license you pursue. If becoming an LBSW is your goal, you need a BSW. If you want a clinical license or an LMSW, you need at least an MSW.
- Pass an Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Examination: The ASWB offers five exams that qualify you to apply for different levels of social work licensure. You must pass the exam that corresponds to your desired social license type before you can apply for licensure.
- Gain Required Experience, if Applicable: Every state requires fieldwork for a BSW or an MSW. You also must complete supervised clinical experience to practice clinical social work independently. Some states require supervised experience for non-clinical, master’s-level licensure.
- Apply for State Social Work Licensure: After completing the first three steps, you can apply for licensure. Fill out an application, pay the application fee, and submit the required documents to become a social worker in your state.
Education Requirements for a Social Work License
The first step to becoming a social worker is to complete your state’s education requirements for the license you want. The ASWB conveniently provides a map of licensing requirements by state. For most positions in social work, you need at least a bachelor’s degree and an MSW. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredits bachelor’s- and master’s-level social work programs. Find out more about the different social work degrees and how each one could benefit your career.
Bachelor of Social Work
A CSWE-accredited bachelor of social work requires at least 400 hours of field placement and covers social welfare policy, research methods, and human behavior in the social environment. With a BSW, you can become an LBSW in many states. You may also gain valuable experience in social work with an entry-level position, such as a survivor advocate, case manager, policy analyst, or community support worker.
Master’s in Social Work
An MSW teaches generalist social work, such as assessment, managing case files, and client intervention. Students complete at least 900 hours of supervised field instruction. If you earned a BSW, you can complete your MSW in as little as half the credits. You can deepen your knowledge of research methods, social welfare policy, and human behavior in the environment. After graduation, you can become an LMSW, practice generalist social work, or complete your supervised clinical experience to become an LCSW or your state’s equivalent.
Doctorate in Social Work
If you plan to pursue a doctorate in social work, you have one of two choices: a doctor of social work (DSW) or a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.). The DSW is a professional doctorate designed for practitioners who want advanced training, specialized knowledge, and leadership skills beyond the MSW. A DSW helps you stand out when you apply for jobs or promotions. Limited data from Payscale from June 2023 suggests that DSW graduates earn about $20,000 more annually than those with an MSW. A Ph.D. paves the way for careers in academia, research, policy development, and administration.
Examination Requirements for Social Work Licensure
The ASWB offers five social work licensing exams: associate, bachelor’s, master’s, advanced generalist, and clinical. You need to take the exam required for the social work license you plan to pursue in your state.
Each of these levels corresponds to a license level, and you take the one that meets the requirements for the license you seek.
To take your ASWB exam, you must apply for a license with your state’s licensing board, register with the ASWB, get a test authorization email, schedule your testing appointment, and review the candidate rules and confidentiality statements.
Find out which ASWB exam qualifies you for the license you want and how much you can expect to pay to take each exam.
- Associate Exam: Take the associate exam if you want to become a licensed social work associate, or if you are in a state where you can get a license without a social work degree. The exam costs $230.
- Bachelors Exam: If your state offers the LBSW or equivalent, you will take this exam and pay a $230 fee.
- Masters Exam: The masters exam qualifies you to become a licensed master social worker and costs $230.
- Advanced Generalist Exam: If your state requires a separate license to offer non-clinical services, plan to take the advanced generalist exam, which costs $260.
- Clinical Exam: Passing the clinical exam is necessary if you want to become an LCSW or your state’s equivalent. Pay $260 to take the exam.
ASWB’s examination guidebook explores the steps necessary to take the exam and includes sample exam questions.
Experience Requirements for a Social Work License
Every CSWE-accredited social work program requires fieldwork. During your education, you will complete at least 400 hours of fieldwork for a BSW or 900 hours for an MSW. During your field placement, you will learn how to practice generalist social work, such as:
- Managing case files
- Assessing client needs
- Advocating for resources and policy changes in the community
- Connecting clients with resources
However, these field placements rarely count toward the supervised experience required to practice clinical social work or generalist social work independently. For example, in North Carolina, certified social work managers need 3,000 hours of paid post-graduate social work experience.
Every state sets requirements for each license type’s supervised experience, including the duration and supervision qualifications. If you apply to become an LCSW or your state’s equivalent, you must complete clinical experience supervised by a current LCSW who meets your state’s requirements for supervision.
Frequently Asked Questions About Social Work Licensure
Do you need a license to practice social work?
For most positions in social work, you need a social work license. Depending on your state’s requirements, you can practice macro social work, including advocacy, policy analysis, research, and policy change, without a license. However, if you want to work with individuals, families, and groups to address their specific psychosocial needs, you need to become an LMSW or your state’s equivalent.
What is the highest license in social work?
LCSWs hold the highest license for social work. LCSWs need at least an MSW and about two years of supervised clinical experience. Some states may use an alternative title, such as licensed independent social workers, for social workers who can practice generalist and clinical social work independently.
How long does it take to get a social work license?
The time it takes to earn a social work license depends on what type license you want. A license to practice clinical social work requires 8-9 years for education and supervised clinical experience. However, a license for generalist social work takes 4-6 years depending on whether you need a bachelor’s or master’s degree to qualify.
How long should you study for the ASWB exam?
The amount of study time you need for the ASWB exam depends on your preparedness, study habits, and the exam you plan to take. The clinical exam is the hardest ASWB exam because of the complex clinical interventions covered on the test. Some students may only need a couple of weeks to study, while others can take several months to prepare. You need to assess your readiness and make a study plan that offers the best chance of success. ASWB’s examination guidebook is a good resource to use in your planning.
