Utah Social Work License Requirements & Programs: Become a Social Worker in UT
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With over three million inhabitants, Utah boasts one of the fastest growing populations in the U.S., according to the latest U.S. Census. This steady increase in population drives a demand for healthcare and social service professionals, including social workers.
If you are interested in a social work career in Utah, check out this guide to learn about Utah’s social work license levels, degree programs and requirements, and employment and salary outlook.
Popular Online Social Work Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Utah Social Work Licensing Requirements
The Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) serves as the state licensing board for social workers. The DOPL authorizes three types of licenses: social service worker (SSW), certified social worker (CSW), and licensed clinical worker (LCSW).
The Utah social work license you are eligible for depends on the amount of education and training you complete. While the SSW license allows you to engage in entry-level practice with a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW), you must have at least a master’s in social work (MSW) to qualify for a Utah social work license at a more advanced level.
Social Service Worker
An SSW credential authorizes you for an entry-level scope of practice under the supervision of an LCSW or mental health professional. With an SSW credential, you can provide support services, conduct non-clinical assessments, make referrals. and serve as a case manager.
Utah accepts three different education pathways for SSW candidates:
- Bachelor’s degree in social work
- Bachelor’s degree in any field and the following:
- Three credit hours each in the area of social welfare policy, human growth and development, and social work practice methods
- At least 2,000 hours of qualifying experience
- Supervisor completed experience form
- Master’s degree in psychology, marriage and family therapy, or mental counseling
Certified Social Worker
A step above the entry-level credential, becoming a CSW authorizes you to provide non-clinical social work services, including assessments, counseling, and referrals. You can also enter clinical practice, offering mental health therapy under the supervision of an LCSW.
Utah licensure requirements for CSW include:
- Master’s or doctoral degree in social work
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
The most advanced social work license in Utah, LCSWs can provide clinical services, including assessment, diagnosis, treatment, case management, counseling, and psychotherapy. LCSWs work independently without supervision in a variety of settings including hospitals, clinics, and social service agencies and in private practice. They also supervise SSW and CSW license applicants.
Utah licensure requirements for LCSW include:
- Master’s or doctoral degree in social work
- At least 3,000 hours of experience while licensed as a CSW in Utah
- Supervisor completed experience form
- Passing score on the ASWB clinical exam
Social Work License Reciprocity in Utah
Currently, Utah has not entered any formal reciprocity agreements with other states. However, Utah has joined the multistate Social Work Licensure Compact. The compact plans to allow eligible social workers to apply for multistate licenses starting in fall 2025, which would allow for social work practice in all member states.
If you have a valid social work license in another state and want to practice in Utah at this time, you must apply for licensure by endorsement. Endorsement requires a license in good standing from a state with similar licensure requirements as Utah. To qualify for licensure by endorsement in Utah, you must have completed 4,000 hours of experience and provide official verification of your license and passing score on the ASWB exam.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education in Utah
You must renew your Utah social work license with the DOPL before September 30 of every even-numbered year. The renewal process requires the submission of an application and documentation of continuing education (CE) hours. Renewal fees are $88 for the SSW credential and $103 for the CS or LCSW credentials.
Required CE hours depend on your license level. SSWs and CSWs must complete 20 CE hours; LCSWs must complete 40 hours. All CEs presented for renewal must include six hours in ethics, law, or technology and two hours in suicide prevention.
BSW Programs Available in Utah
- University of Utah — Salt Lake City (On Campus, Online)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $265-$268 per credit hour in state, $910-$921 per credit hour out of state
- Utah State University — Logan, Brigham City, Tooele, Price, Blanding, Moabe, and Vernal (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $3,813 per semester in state, $12,496 per semester out of state
- Utah Valley University — Orem (On Campus)
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $5,518 per year in state, $17,800 per year out of state
- Weber State University — Ogden (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Gerontology
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time
- 2024 Tuition: $5,620 per year in state (full time), $16,609 per year out of state (full time)
MSW Programs Available in Utah
- Brigham Young University — Provo (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Clinical or Direct Practice, Research, School Social Work, Trauma
- Enrollment Type: Full Time
- 2024 Tuition: $4,208 per semester for LDS members; $8,416 per semester for non-LDS members
- University of Utah — Salt Lake City, St. George, Richmond, Cedar City, Ogden, and Broadcast (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $7,976 per semester in state (full time), $22,309 per semester out of state (part time); $600 per credit hour online
- Utah State University — Logan, Brigham City, Kaysville, Tooele, Price, Vernal, Blanding, and Moab (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist, Mental Health
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Part Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $4,339 per semester in state (full time), $14,915 per semester out of state (full time)
- Utah Valley University— Orem (On Campus, Online)
- Available Concentrations: Advanced Generalist
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $407 per credit hour in state, $1,064 per credit hour out of state
- Weber State University — Ogden (On Campus)
- Available Concentrations: Clinical or Direct Practice
- Enrollment Type: Full Time, Advanced Standing
- 2024 Tuition: $4,339 per semester in state, $10,382 per semester out of state
Utah Social Worker Career and Salary Information
Utah offers excellent career prospects for social workers. Between 2022 and 2032, social work employment in the state is projected to increase by 28%, according to Projections Central. This is considerably higher than the 7% projected growth rate for social workers nationwide.
Several factors impact the earning potential of Utah’s social workers, including educational attainment, licensure level, and specialization. As of May 2022, salaries for social workers in the state ranged from $53,510 to $69,880. Specialists in healthcare social work are among the state’s highest-paid and most in-demand social workers.
| Occupation | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $53,720 | $25.83 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $69,880 | $33.60 |
| Mental Health and Substance Use Social Workers | $56,510 | $27.17 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $62,990 | $30.29 |
Social Work Associations in Utah
- The National Association of Social Workers (NASW): Utah Chapter: The Utah chapter of the NASW offers information about regional chapters within the state, upcoming conferences, and continuing education opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Utah Social Work
What are the different types of social workers in Utah?
You can pursue three types of Utah social work licenses: social service worker (SSW), certified social worker (CSW), and licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). Prospective social workers should check with the Utah Division of Professional Licensing for current information on application procedures.
How do I get licensed as a social worker in Utah?
You need at least a BSW or a bachelor’s in a field other than social work to practice as an SSW. An MSW or a master’s in a related field like counseling or psychology is required for CSW or LCSW licenses. For the LCSW, you need a passing score on the ASWB exam; the SSW and CSW licenses do not have an ASWB exam requirement.
How much do social workers in Utah make?
Social worker salaries in Utah vary considerably by education, license level, specialization, and work experience. Annual salaries can range from $53,000 to almost $70,000 annually. LCSWs with an MSW or DSW degree rank among the highest-paid social workers in the state.
How long does it take to become a social worker in Utah?
The length of time required depends on the credential you want to pursue. For the SSW, you need a bachelor’s degree, which typically takes four years. The CSW requires two additional years to earn an MSW. The LCSW will take approximately eight years, requiring a BSW, an MSW, and two years of supervised experience.
