All states require social work licensure applicants to have a degree from a CSWE-accredited institution. However, Social work license requirements can vary dramatically by state. Make sure to check that you meet your state’s requirements before registering for your exam!
Alabama
- Social work licensing requires social workers required to complete mandatory supervision hours
Alaska
- Social workers must have at least a bachelor’s of social work and learn state bachelor’s social work (BSW) requirements
Arizona
- Arizona social workers have to hold a bachelor’s or master’s in social work
- Degree must be from an accredited institution
- Background checks are mandatory
Arkansas
- Candidates are required to pass ASWB exam at the appropriate level and submit fingerprint records
California
- Candidates must hold a masters social work (MSW) degree
- It isn’t mandatory to complete a supervised experience
- Learn More About Getting Your Clinical Level Social Work License (LCSW) In California
Colorado
- Colorado requires candidates to hold master’s degrees in social work from accredited programs
- Completion of supervised practice hours is required
- Jurisprudence exam and licensing exam
Connecticut
- A master’s degree is the minimum requirement allowed to earn a social work license
- Candidates for LCSW should have a doctorate degree
Delaware
- Social workers with BSW degrees don’t have to have a license
- Their ability to practice independently may be limited
- Social workers at the LMSW and LCSW levels are required to hold MSW degrees
- Independent social workers must be licensed
District of Columbia
- Students earning an MSW may sit for their exams in their last semester
- Workers planning to be licensed as LISWs or LICSWs complete required experience in group or individual supervision settings
Florida
- Graduate students who want to work as licensed clinical social work interns can do so in their MSW programs
- All social workers complete a two-hour domestic violence course and a three-hour HIV/AIDS course
- Learn More About Getting Your Clinical Level Social Work License (LCSW) In Florida
Georgia
- State law allows social workers with MSW or DSW degrees to sit for their licensing exam
- Those with degrees from CSWE-accredited programs can practice for 12 months before passing their exam
- After two years of social work experience, LMSWs may start a private practice, but cannot offer all services LCSW workers can
Hawaii
- All licensing levels require social workers to hold either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work
Idaho
- LBSW and LMSW workers must finish 3,000 supervised practice hours before independent practice
- This does not include psychotherapy
Illinois
- Social workers with their BSW or MSW can be licensed after completing required post-degree clinical hours
Indiana
- Social workers with BSW or MSW degrees complete post-degree supervision before gaining their licenses
- Required to pass ASWB exam and background check
Iowa
- LBSW social workers may practice in some areas, but not others
- MSWs who meet post-graduate and clinical requirements are able to earn their licenses at the LMSW and LISW levels
- Incoming LMSWs may sit for their ASWB exam in their last semester
Kansas
- Workers studying for LMSW and LSCSW licensure are required to hold a social worker degree
- They must achieve a passing score on their ASWB exam at the master or clinical level
- Students in a MSW program that doesn’t offer all required courses may be able to take those courses at a later date
Kentucky
- Social work graduates with bachelor’s or master’s degrees in social work can take their licensing exams
- Kentucky’s licensing law requires social workers to hold an MSW if they plan to earn a CSW or LCSW
- CSWs can practice independently on a limited scope
- An LCSW can offer full services in an independent practice
Louisiana
- Learners (students) can become registered social workers after earning their BSW
- Social workers planning to work as LMSWs or LCSWs must hold a master’s degree
Maine
- Licensed social workers (LSW) aren’t required to hold a BSW
- LMSWs and LCSWs must have their MSWs
Maryland
- LBSWs and LMSWs only need to pass their ASWB exam
- LCSW and LCSW-C workers must complete clinical supervision hours
Massachusetts
- LSWs must only have a high school diploma and supervised practice
- Licensed social work associates (LSWA) must have bachelor’s degrees in any field or associate degrees in human services
- LCSWs and LICSWs must have MSW degrees
Michigan
- Social workers need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work
- Social service technicians aren’t required to have social work degrees nor are they required to complete continuing education, but they are encouraged to do so
Minnesota
- Workers with LSWs, LISWs, and LICSWs must complete mandatory clinical supervision hours
- Social work students can register for the LGSW license with no clinical experience. Once they have this experience, they can apply for LISW licensure
Mississippi
- Social workers working on licensure should hold bachelor’s or master’s degrees in social work from a college with regional accreditation
- Students with fewer than 15 credits to earn can apply for licensure
Missouri
- Social workers working to be licensed need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in social work
- Those seeking a license at the LBSW and LMSW levels have to pass a background check
- LAMSWs must finish post-graduate degree training requirements, which includes supervision
Montana
- Montana regulations require a social work degree for social workers to qualify to be licensed
- Candidates must also submit references and pass a background check
- LCSW and LMSW licensure requires a MSW or a doctor of social work
Nebraska
- This state offers several licensure levels, requiring social work students to choose the correct field experience and practicum requirements
- Except for the CSW, all licenses require a passing score on the ASWB exam, post-graduate supervision and training
- Unlicensed professionals cannot identify themselves as social workers
Nevada
- Social workers must have a BSW or MSW for licensure
- They must pass a background check and the ASWB exam
New Hampshire
- Social workers must earn an MSW to qualify to take the ASWB exam for LCSW licensure, complete post-graduate supervision
New Jersey
- Students only need a BSW to take the CSW exam; but they cannot practice in clinical areas
- Workers interested in the LMSW or LSW should hold a master’s degree and pass a background check
New Mexico
- Social workers need a BSW or MSW in social work
- They must take a jurisprudence exam and an ASWB exam at the appropriate level, pass a cultural competency exam
New York
- Candidates must hold a MSW from a program registered with the New York State Education Department
- They must have their education and application signed off by the education department
- Learn More About Getting Your Masters Level Social Work License (LMSW) In New York
- Learn More About Getting Your Clinical Level Social Work License (LCSW) In New York
North Carolina
- All social workers must hold a BSW or MSW
- Pass the ASWB exam and submit three references
North Dakota
- For licensure, students need to hold a BSW or MSW
- Social workers who choose LBSW licensure cannot enter private practice
- Applicants must pass state and federal background checks
Ohio
- SWA candidates need an associate degree or a social service technician degree to qualify
- LSW candidates should have either a BSW or MSW
- LISWs should hold a MSW
Oklahoma
- Candidates for the LSWA need a BSW and to complete required supervised work experience
- Candidates for all other licensures need a MSW
Oregon
- Candidates for licensure need a social work degree or they need a degree from the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work program
- All candidates must pass the ASWB, a background check, and a jurisprudence exam
Pennsylvania
- Candidates must hold a MSW to qualify for the ASWB exam
- Candidates may choose to take the exam in their last semester of school
- After completing a MSW or DSW degree, candidates have six years to complete clinical experience requirements before earning their LCSW
- Learn More About Getting Your Masters Level Social Work License (LSW) In Pennsylvania
- Learn More About Getting Your Clinical Level Social Work License (LCSW) In Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
- Candidates for the clinical ASWB exam have to hold a MSW
- Complete post-master’s supervision
South Carolina
- For the four licenses, candidates need either a BSW or MSW
- Candidates planning to earn the LISW need to finish course requirements before taking the exam
South Dakota
- To earn one of the three licenses, candidates must earn an associate in social work or a BSW
- CSWs and CSW-PIPs need an MSW
Tennessee
- Candidates pursuing an LBSW need a BSW
- To earn an LMSW, LAPSW or LCSW, candidates need an MSW
- LBSWs and LMSWs are not able to offer clinical services nor are they eligible for independent practice
Texas
- Candidates need either a BSW or MSW to qualify for licensure
- They must pass a jurisprudence exam and a background check
- LBSWs and LMSWs seeking independent practice recognition should complete more supervised practice requirements
- Learn More About Getting Your Masters Level Social Work License (LMSW) In Texas
- Learn More About Getting Your Clinical Level Social Work License (LCSW) In Texas
Utah
- SSWs need a BSW or a degree in a related field
- CSW and LCSW candidates must hold an MSW or higher
Vermont
- Licensure for clinical social workers is available
- Candidates must hold a MSW or higher
- They must complete required post-degree supervised work and complete an evaluation from a post-degree clinical supervisor
Virginia
- Candidates need a BSW or MSW for one of the three license types
- They should also finish post-degree supervision requirements
Washington
- Licensure candidates should hold a MSW for one of the three available licenses
- While completing supervised practice, candidates hold a Licensed Social Worker Associate Advanced (LSWAA) or a Licensed Social Worker Associate Independent Clinical (LSWAIC) credential
West Virginia
- Candidates must hold a BSW or MSW for licensure
- LGSW candidates select a concentration appropriate for their field experience
- Candidates must complete specific courses for the LICSW
Wisconsin
- Candidates are required to hold a BSW or MSW
- Social workers at the CISW and LCSW levels need to complete post-graduate supervision
- LCSWs need to complete clinical coursework, decided on by the State Board each year
Wyoming
- Candidates must hold a BSW or MSW
- Candidates working toward their LCSW work under a provisional license until they complete their license requirements
Additional information about licensing requirements and rules for licensure can be found on the ASWB website.
Preparing for your ASWB exam (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Clinical)? Try Agents of Change for free and get 10 practice questions and rationales!
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About the Instructor, Meagan Mitchell: Meagan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been providing individualized and group test prep for the ASWB for over five years. From all of this experience helping others pass their exams, she created the Agents of Change course to help you prepare for and pass the ASWB exam!
Find more from Agents of Change here:
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Disclaimer: This content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or clinical advice, diagnosis, or treatment
