Hawaii Social Work License Requirements & Programs: Become a Social Worker in HI
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Are you interested in becoming a social worker in Hawaii? The state offers three types of licenses, higher-than-average social worker salaries, and a strong demand for social work professionals. Learn how to earn your Hawaii social work license and explore accredited bachelor’s and master’s degrees available in the state.
Popular Online Social Work Programs
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Hawaii Social Work Licensing Requirements
Hawaii’s Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs‘ Professional & Vocational Licensing Division oversees social work licensure in the state. Hawaii offers licensing options for graduates with a bachelor’s of social work (BSW) or master’s of social work (MSW) degree.
BSW holders can apply to become licensed bachelor social workers (LBSWs), and MSW graduates can pursue their licensed social work (LSW) or licensed clinical social work (LCSW) credentials. Learn more about Hawaii social work licensing requirements below.
Licensed Bachelor Social Worker
LBSWs are entry-level social workers who can provide services to individual clients, couples, families, and groups. These services include identifying resources, referrals to other professionals, advocacy, education, and mediation. They can assess clients and implement social work services plans. LBSWs can also engage in case management, community organizing, and social policy planning and implementation.
Hawaii licensure requirements for LBSW include:
- Bachelor’s degree in social work
- Passing score on the ASWB bachelor’s exam
Licensed Social Worker
The scope of practice for LSWs includes all of the same duties that LBSWs can perform, plus: psychosocial assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of emotional, behavioral, and mental disorders for individuals, couples, families, and groups. LSWs can also provide social work consultation and resource development, and conduct research on social work programs, systems, and policies.
Hawaii licensure requirements for LSW include:
- Master’s or doctoral degree in social work
- Passing score on the ASWB intermediate, advanced generalist, or clinical exam
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
An LCSW credential is the highest level of licensure available to Hawaii social workers. These professionals can provide all of the services as LBSWs and LSWs and can also offer clinical diagnosis and psychotherapy. LCSWs with doctoral degrees can also qualify for roles as university professors and researchers.
Hawaii licensure requirements for LCSW include:
- Master’s or doctoral degree in social work
- At least 3,000 hours of supervised clinical social work experience completed over a period of 2-5 years, including at least 2,000 hours of assessment, clinical diagnosis, and psychotherapy
- Passing score on the ASWB clinical exam
Social Work License Reciprocity in Hawaii
Hawaii does not maintain licensing reciprocity with any other state. Before practicing in Hawaii, social workers from other states must submit documentation showing they’ve received preparation equivalent to that required in Hawaii.
For LBSWs and LSWs, this includes an application, transcripts from their accredited school of social work, and ASWB exam score verification. LCSWs must also provide proof that they completed 3,000 hours of postgraduate supervised clinical training. Hawaii’s licensing department accepts verification from the LCSW’s clinical supervisor or a qualified clinical social work certificate from the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education in Hawaii
Social workers in Hawaii renew their licenses every three years. The licensing department sends renewal reminder postcards in May of the renewal year, and renewal applications must be completed by June 30.
All licensed social workers must log at least 45 hours of continuing education (CE) during each three-year renewal period, including three hours of ethics courses. The CE must be from NASW- or ASWB-approved sources and can include online courses, webinars, and podcasts.
BSW Programs Available in Hawaii
- Brigham Young University-Hawaii — Laie (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $8,838 per year for LDS members, $17,676 per year for non-LDS members
- Hawai’i Pacific University — Honolulu, Pearl City, and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam/Honolulu (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $16,896 per semester full time, $1,408 per credit hour part time
- University of Hawai’i at Moana — Honolulu (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $5,652 per semester in state (full time), $8,478-$16,668 per semester out of state (full time), $471 per credit hour in state (part time), $707-$1,389 per credit hour out of state (part time)
MSW Programs Available in Hawaii
- Hawai’i Pacific University — Honolulu, Kapolei, and Pearl City (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced generalist and military social work
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $1,235 per credit hour
- University of Hawai’i at Moana — Honolulu (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Children, youth, and families, health, mental health, and aging and gerontological practice
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $7,800 per semester in state (full time), $16,824 per semester out of state (full time), $650 per credit hour in state (part time), $1,402 per credit hour out of state (part time)
Hawaii Social Worker Career and Salary Information
The table below shows average salaries in Hawaii for four social work career paths, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data from May 2023. Hawaii social workers earn higher wages than the national average in all the occupations except mental health and substance use social work.
In addition to high salaries, Hawaii offers strong employment opportunities. A 2022 workforce profile compiled at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, reported a shortage of social workers in Hawaii, including 60 open positions in healthcare settings. In Hawaiʻi, Maui, and Kauaʻi counties, jobs remain unfilled because of a lack of applicants.
| Occupation | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $67,300 | $32.36 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $73,210 | $35.20 |
| Mental Health and Substance Use Social Workers | $59,660 | $28.69 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $87,420 | $42.03 |
Social Work Associations in Hawaii
- The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Hawaii Chapter: The Hawaii chapter of the NASW provides CE opportunities, an annual conference, and job listings for social work positions in the state.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hawaii Social Work
What are the different types of social workers in Hawaii?
Hawaii has three types of social workers: licensed bachelor social workers, licensed social workers, and licensed clinical social workers. All three offer temporary license options for qualified active-duty military spouses.
How do I get licensed as a social worker in Hawaii?
Hawaii social work license holders need a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a CSWE-accredited program and a passing score on the applicable ASWB exam. Clinical social workers also need 3,000 hours of postgraduate supervised training.
How much do social workers in Hawaii make?
Hawaii social workers earn average annual salaries between $59,660 for mental health and substance use social workers and $87,420 for “all other” social workers, according to May 2023 BLS data.
How long does it take to become a social worker in Hawaii?
Becoming a social worker in Hawaii can take 4-6 years. A bachelor’s degree usually takes four years to earn, and a master’s requires an additional 1-2 years. If you’re interested in social work doctoral study, you’ll spend another 3-4 years in school.
