Colorado Social Work License Requirements & Programs: Become a Social Worker in CO
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A Colorado social work license can pave the way to a rewarding profession that positively impacts lives. The Centennial State offers a lower than average unemployment rate, a growing population, and excellent job opportunities for qualified social workers.
This guide provides detailed information about licensure requirements, training programs, and salary and job outlook for Colorado’s social workers. Use the information to begin planning your career.
Popular Online Social Work Programs
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Colorado Social Work Licensing Requirements
The Colorado State Board of Social Work Examiners regulates social work licensure in the state. A master’s in social work is the minimum educational requirement for social workers in Colorado.
Two types of Colorado social work licenses are available: licensed social worker (LSW) and licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). The outline below highlights the differences between each license type.
Licensed Social Worker
A licensed social worker is an entry-level practitioner in Colorado. According to Board rules, LSWs can perform general social work practice including client assessment, case management, education and referral services, and administrative duties. LSWs cannot perform clinical social work or psychotherapy without the supervision of a licensed clinical social worker.
Colorado licensure requirements for LSW include:
- Master’s or doctoral degree in social work
- Passing score on a state jurisprudence exam
- Passing score on the ASWB masters exam
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Licensed clinical social workers can engage in general social work practice or provide specialized, clinical services. According to Board rules, an LCSW can provide clinical services, including psychotherapy, without supervision. LCSWs complete supervised work experience in preparation for this level of practice.
Colorado licensure requirements for LCSW include:
- Master’s or doctoral degree in social work
- At least 3,360 hours of applied social work practice over a period of two years, including at least 1,680 hours of diagnosis, testing, assessment, or counseling
- Passing score on a state jurisprudence exam
- Passing score on the ASWB clinical exam
Social Work License Reciprocity in Colorado
Colorado does not offer license reciprocity with any other state. Social workers from other jurisdictions may qualify for an LSW or LCSW license in Colorado by endorsement. The candidate must have a current and unrestricted license to practice social work in another state or U.S. territory. The license must have equivalence with either the LSW or LCSW.
Colorado’s requirements for licensure by endorsement include:
- A CSWE-accredited master’s degree or doctorate in social work
- Passage of ASWB master’s or ASWB clinical examination
- A board-developed jurisprudence examination
- Verification of a state-issued social work license
Note that Colorado is a member of the Social Work Licensure Compact, which plans to begin issuing multistate licenses in 2025.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education in Colorado
Your Colorado social work license must be renewed every two years. During each renewal period, LSWs and LCSWs must pay an $84 renewal fee and demonstrate continuing professional competency (CPC) by completing a Board-administered professional development program.
The program requires completing a professional practice rubric and self-assessment, establishing learning goals, and documentation of at least 40 professional development hours. These hours may include approved coursework, volunteer work, presentation, consultation, or supervision.
Social workers employed by a Colorado state agency may also demonstrate CPC by completing a qualifying professional development program through their employer.
BSW Programs Available in Colorado
- Colorado Mesa University — Grand Junction (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $430 per credit in state, $857 per credit out of state
- Colorado State University — Fort Collins (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Addictions Counseling
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $598 per credit hour in state, $1,614 per credit hour out of state
- Colorado State University-Pueblo — Pueblo (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $410 per credit hour in state, $637 per credit hour out of state
- Metropolitan State University of Denver — Denver (On Campus, Online, Hybrid)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $421 per credit hour in state, $630 per credit hour Western Undergraduate Exchange, $957 per credit hour out of state
- University of Colorado, Colorado Springs — Colorado Springs (On Campus, Online, Hybrid)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $460-$489 per credit hour in state, $935-$974 per credit hour out of state
MSW Programs Available in Colorado
- Colorado State University — Fort Collins (On Campus, Online, Hybrid)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $638 per credit hour in state, $1,565 per credit hour out of state
- Colorado State University-Pueblo — Pueblo (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $412 per credit hour in state or Western Regional Graduate Program, $780 per credit hour out of state
- Metropolitan State University of Denver — Denver (On Campus, Online, Hybrid)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $510 per credit hour in state, $714 per credit hour out of state
- University of Colorado, Colorado Springs — Colorado Springs (On Campus, Online, Hybrid)
- Available Concentrations: Trauma-Informed Social Work Practice
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $10,289 per semester in state, $21,224 per semester out of state (on campus), $12,168 per semester out of state (online)
- University of Denver — Denver, Durango, Glenwood Springs (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Social Work Practice, Equity and Wellness, and Mental Health and Trauma or Health
- Available MSW Certificates: Global Social Work, Human–Animal–Environment Interactions, Latinx Social Work, and School Social Work
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $1,310 per credit hour (Denver campus), $834 per credit hour (Four Corners/Western Colorado MSW), $1,164 per credit hour (online)
Colorado Social Worker Career and Salary Information
According to federal data and projections, the demand for social workers is expected to rise in the coming years. Projections Central data for 2022-2032 highlights the following growth rate projections for social work fields in Colorado:
- Mental Health and Substance Use Social Workers: +18.9%
- Healthcare Social Workers: +18.2%
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers: +14.7
- Social Workers, All Others: +15.1%
This translates to social worker job growth more than twice the 7% national average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Additionally, many of Colorado’s social workers earn more than the $58,380 national median salary. The following table provides a detailed breakdown of average pay rates for Colorado social workers.
| Occupation | Average Hourly Salary | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $31.10 | $64,690 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $30.36 | $63,160 |
| Mental Health and Substance Use Social Workers | $29.48 | $61,330 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $28.14 | $58,520 |
Social Work Associations in Colorado
- National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Colorado Chapter: NASW’s Colorado chapter provides membership benefits, advocacy, and educational and career development resources.
- Colorado Society for Clinical Social Work (CSCSW): CSCSW advances the social work profession by offering educational opportunities, setting standards for practice, publicly promoting the profession, and providing advocacy.
- Colorado School Social Work Association (CSSWA): CSSWA provides collaboration, support, sustainability, wellness, and affiliation for social workers in educational settings.
Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado Social Work
What are the different types of social workers in Colorado?
Social workers can pursue two Colorado social work licenses: licensed social worker or licensed clinical social worker. These credentials qualify you to work in entry-level and advanced social work positions for employers including social service providers, schools, healthcare facilities, and state agencies.
How do I get licensed as a social worker in Colorado?
You’ll need to earn a master of social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, take the appropriate ASWB exam, and pass the Colorado jurisprudence exam. You can then apply for licensure by submitting an application and the required documents.
How much do social workers in Colorado make?
Colorado’s social workers make an average of $58,520-$64,690, according to BLS data. Your earnings will depend on factors such as your specialization, experience level, and employer.
How long does it take to become a social worker in Colorado?
You can expect to spend about five to eight years preparing for a social work career in Colorado. A master’s degree is the minimum education requirement for a Colorado social work license. Those pursuing an LCSW credential will need to complete an additional two years of supervised professional experience after their MSW.
