How to Become a Licensed Social Worker

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Social work is such a broad field and each subfield has its own responsibilities, specialty areas, and regulations. Just in case that isn't confusing enough, different states have different types of social work licenses that you can earn. Some states have just one license while other states have as many as five different licenses available for interested social workers.

The differences in licenses can be hard to spot, but it is important to know them before you pick which license you want to pursue, because it will help you pick the program that works best for you. We have broken down each of the different licensure possibilities in each state in detail so that aspiring social workers can have the information readily available to make an important decision about their career.

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State	Summary of License Requirements	Education Requirement
Alabama	Education: Bachelor's, Master's or Doctorate Find Schools Available Licenses: LBSW / LGSW / LCSW / PIP Supervised Work Experience: Learn More Examination: Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Alabama	BSW / MSW / DSW* *Accredited by CSWE or CASSW
Alaska	Education: Bachelor's, Master's or Doctorate Find Schools Available Licenses: LBSW / LMSW / LCSW Supervised Work Experience: Learn More Examination: Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Alaska	BSW / MSW / DSW* *Accredited by CSWE
Arkansas	Education: Bachelor's, Master's or Doctorate Find Schools Available Licenses: LSW / LMSW / LCSW Supervised Work Experience: Learn More Examination: Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Arkansas	BSW / MSW / DSW* *Accredited by CSWE
California	Education: Bachelor's + Master's Find Schools Available Licenses: ASW / LCSW Supervised Work Experience: 3,200 Hours + Examination: CA Law & Ethics + Clinical Exam Read More About Licensing Guidelines in California	Master's Degree* *Accredited by CSWE
Colorado	Education: Bachelor's + Master's Find Schools Available Licenses: LSW / LCSW Supervised Work Experience: 24 Months / 3,360 Hours Examination: ASWB Exam + CO Jurisprudence Exam Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Colorado	Master's Degree* *Accredited by CSWE
Connecticut	Education: Bachelor's + Master's Find Schools Available Licenses: LMSW / LCSW Supervised Work Experience: 3,000 Post-Degree Hours Examination: ASWB Masters or Clinical Exam Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Connecticut	Master's or PhD* *Accredited by CSWE
Delaware	Education: Bachelor's + Master's or Doctorate Find Schools Available Licenses: LCSW Supervised Work Experience: Two Years / 3,200 Hours Examination: ASWB Clinical Exam Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Delaware	Master's or PhD* *Accredited by CSWE
Florida	Education: Bachelor's + Master's or Doctorate Find Schools Available Licenses: LCSW / CMSW Supervised Work Experience: 2 Years Examination: ASWB Clinical Exam Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Florida	Master's or PhD* *Accredited by CSWE
Georgia	Education: Bachelor's + Master's or Doctorate Find Schools Available Licenses: LMSW / LCSW Supervised Work Experience: LCSW - 3000 Hours Examination: ASWB Masters or Clinical Exam Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Georgia	Master's or PhD* *Accredited by CSWE
Hawaii	Education: Bachelor's + Master's Find Schools Available Licenses: LBSW / LSW / LCSW Supervised Work Experience: 3,000 Hours Post-Masters Examination: ASWB Bachelors, Masters or Clinical Exam Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Hawaii	BSW / MSW / DSW* *Accredited by CSWE or WASC
Idaho	Education: Bachelor's + Master's or Doctorate Find Schools Available Licenses: LBSW / LMSW / LCSW Supervised Work Experience: 2 Years / 3,000 Hours Examination: ASWB Bachelor's, Masters or Clinical Exam Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Idaho	BSW / MSW / DSW* *Accredited by CSWE
Illinois	Education: Bachelor's + Master's or Doctorate Find Schools Available Licenses: LSW / LCSW Supervised Work Experience: Read More Examination: ASWB Master's or Clinical Exam Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Illinois	Bachelor's or Master's* *Accredited by CSWE
Indiana	Education: Bachelor's + Master's Find Schools Available Licenses: LSW / LCSW Supervised Work Experience: Read More Examination: ASWB Masters or Clinical Exam Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Indiana	Bachelor's or Master's* *Accredited by CSWE
Iowa	Education: Bachelor's + Master's or Doctorate Find Schools Available Licenses: LBSW / LMSW / LISW Supervised Work Experience: LISW- 2 Years / 4,000 Hours Examination: ASWB Bachelor's, Master's or Clinical Exam Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Iowa	BSW / MSW / DSW* *Accredited by CSWE
Kansas	Education: Bachelor's + Master's Find Schools Available Licenses: LBSW / LMSW / LSCSW Supervised Work Experience: LSCSW- 4,000 Hours Examination: ASWB Bachelor's, Master's or Clinical Exam Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Kansas	Bachelor's or Master's* *Accredited by CSWE
Kentucky	Education: Bachelor's + Master's Find Schools Available Licenses: LSW / CSW / LCSW Supervised Work Experience: LCSW - 2 Years Examination: ASWB Bachelor's, Master's or Clinical Exam Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Kentucky	Bachelor's or Master's* *Accredited by CSWE
Lousiana	Education: Bachelor's + Master's Find Schools Available Licenses: RSW / LMSW / LCSW Supervised Work Experience: LCSW - 5,760 Hours Examination: ASWB Master's or Clinical Exam Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Louisiana	Bachelor's or Master's* *Accredited by CSWE
Maine	Education: Bachelor's + Master's or Doctorate Find Schools Available Licenses: LSW / LMSW / LCSW Supervised Work Experience: Read More Examination: ASWB Bachelor's, Master's or Clinical Exam Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Maine	Bachelor's or Master's* *Accredited by CSWE
Maryland	Education: Bachelor's + Master's Find Schools Available Licenses: LSWA / LGSW / LCSW /LCSW-C Supervised Work Experience: Two Years / 3,000 Hours Examination: Read More Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Maryland	Bachelor's or Master's* *Accredited by CSWE
Massachusetts	Education: Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate Find Schools Available Licenses: LSWA / LSW / LCSW / LICSW Supervised Work Experience: 3,5000 Hours Examination: ASWB Bachelor's, Master's or Clinical Exam Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Massachusetts	ASW / BSW / MSW / DSW* *Accredited by CSWE
Michigan	Education: Bachelor's + Master's Find Schools Available Licenses: LBSW / LMSW Supervised Work Experience: 4,000 Hours Examination: ASWB Bachelor's or Clinical Exam Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Michigan	Bachelor's or Master's* *Accredited by CSWE
Minnesota	Education: Bachelor's + Master's Find Schools Available Licenses: LSW / LGSW / LCSW / LICSW Supervised Work Experience: 4,000 to 8,000 Hours Examination: Read More Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Minnesota	Bachelor's or Master's* *Accredited by CSWE or CASSW
Mississippi	Education: Bachelor's + Master's Find Schools Available Licenses: LSW / LMSW / LCSW Supervised Work Experience: 1,000 Hours Examination: ASWB Bachelor's, Master's or Clinical Exam Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Mississippi	Bachelor's or Master's* *Accredited by CSWE or SACS
Missouri	Education: Bachelor's + Master's or Doctorate Find Schools Available Licenses: LSW / LMSW / LCSW / LAMSW Supervised Work Experience: 2 Years / 3,000 Hours Examination: Read More Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Missouri	BSW / MSW / DSW* *Accredited by CSWE
Montana	Education: Bachelor's + Master's or Doctorate Find Schools Available Licenses: LCSW Supervised Work Experience: Two Years / 3,000 Hours Examination: ASWB Generalist or Clinical Exam Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Montana	Master's or Doctorate* *Accredited by CSWE
Nebraska	Education: Bachelor's + Master's Find Schools Available Licenses: CSW / CMSW Supervised Work Experience: CMSW - 3,000 Hours Examination: ASWB Generalist or Clinical Exam Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Nebraska	Bachelor's or Master's* *Accredited by CSWE
Nevada	Education: Bachelor's + Master's Find Schools Available Licenses: SW / ISW / CSW Supervised Work Experience: 3,000 Hours Examination: Read More Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Nevada	Bachelor's or Master's* *Accredited by CSWE
New Hampshire	Education: Bachelor's + Master's or Doctorate Find Schools Available Licenses: CSW Supervised Work Experience: 3,000 Hours Examination: ASWB Clinical + NHBMH Practice Essay Exam Read More About Licensing Guidelines in New Hampshire	Master's Degree* *Accredited by CSWE
New Jersey	Education: Bachelor's + Master's or Doctorate Find Schools Available Licenses: CSW / LSW / LCSW Supervised Work Experience: 1,920 Hours Examination: ASWB Master's or Clinical Exam Read More About Licensing Guidelines in New Jersey	BSW / MSW / DSW* *Accredited by CSWE
New Mexico	Education: Bachelor's + Master's Find Schools Available Licenses: LBSW / LMSW / LISW Supervised Work Experience: 3,600 Hours Examination: ASWB Master's or Clinical + NM Jurisprudence Read More About Licensing Guidelines in New Mexico	Bachelor's or Master's* *Accredited by CSWE
New York	Education: Bachelor's + Master's or Doctorate Find Schools Available Licenses: LMSW / LCSW Supervised Work Experience: 3 Years / 2,000 Hours Examination: ASWB Masters's or Clinical Exam Read More About Licensing Guidelines in New York	Master's or Doctorate* *Accredited by CSWE
North Carolina	Education: Bachelor's, Master's or Doctorate Find Schools Available Licenses: CSW / LMSW / LCSW Supervised Work Experience: Two Years / 3,000 Hours Examination: ASWB Bachelor's, Master's or Clinical Exam Read More About Licensing Guidelines in North Carolina	BSW / MSW / DSW* *Accredited by CSWE
North Dakota	Education: Bachelor's + Master's or Doctorate Find Schools Available Licenses: LSW / LCSW / LICSW Supervised Work Experience: 3,000 Hours Examination: ASWB Bachelor's, Master's or Clinical Exam Read More About Licensing Guidelines in North Dakota	BSW / MSW / DSW* *Accredited by CSWE
Ohio	Education: Bachelor's + Master's or Doctorate Find Schools Available Licenses: SWA / LSW / LISW Supervised Work Experience: LISW - Two Years / 3,000 Hours Examination: ASWB Bachelor's or Clinical Exam Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Ohio	BSW / MSW / DSW* *Accredited by CSWE
Oklahoma	Education: Bachelor's + Master's Find Schools Available Licenses: SWA / LSW-ADM / LSW / LMSW / LCSW Supervised Work Experience: Read More Examination: ASWB Bachelor's, Generalist, Masters, or Clinical Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Oklahoma	Bachelor's or Master's* *Accredited by CSWE
Oregon	Education: Bachelor's + Master's Find Schools Available Licenses: RBSW / LMSW / CSWA / LCSW Supervised Work Experience: 3,500 Hours Examination: ASWB Exam + OR Jurisprudence Exam Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Oregon	Bachelor's or Master's* *Accredited by CSWE
Pennsylvania	Education: Bachelor's + Master's or Doctorate Find Schools Available Licenses: LSW / LCSW Supervised Work Experience: Three Years / 3,000 Hours Examination: ASWB Master's or Clinical Exam Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Pennsylvania	Master's or Doctorate* *Accredited by CSWE
Rhode Island	Education: Bachelor's + Master's or Doctorate Find Schools Available Licenses: LCSW / LICSW Supervised Work Experience: 3,000 Hours Examination: ASWB Master's or Clinical Exam Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Rhode Island	Master's or Doctorate* *Accredited by CSWE
South Carolina	Education: Bachelor's + Master's or Doctorate Find Schools Available Licenses: LBSW / LMSW / LISW-CP / LISW-AP Supervised Work Experience: 3,000 Hours Examination: Read More Read More About Licensing Guidelines in South Carolina	BSW / MSW / DSW* *Accredited by CSWE
South Dakota	Education: Associates, Bachelor's, Master's. Doctorate Find Schools Available Licenses: LSWA / LSW / CSW / CIPSW Supervised Work Experience: Two Years Examination: ASWB Associates, Bachelor's, Masters, Clinical Read More About Licensing Guidelines in South Dakota	A.A. / BSW / MSW / DSW* *Accredited by CSWE
Tennessee	Education: Bachelor's + Master's Find Schools Available Licenses: LBSW / LMSW / LCSW / LAPSW Supervised Work Experience: 3,000 Hours Examination: ASWB Bachelor's, Master's, Advanced Generalist Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Tennessee	Bachelor's or Master's* *Accredited by CSWE
Texas	Education: Bachelor's + Master's Find Schools Available Licenses: LBSW / LMSW / LMSW-AP / LCSW Supervised Work Experience: 24 Months Examination: ASWB Exam + TX Jurisprudence Exam Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Texas	Bachelor's or Master's* *Accredited by CSWE
Utah	Education: Bachelor's + Master's Find Schools Available Licenses: SSW / CSW / LCSW Supervised Work Experience: Two Years / 4,000 Hours Examination: ASWB Bachelor's, Master's or Clinical Exam Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Utah	Bachelor's or Master's* *Accredited by CSWE
Vermont	Education: Bachelor's + Master's or Doctorate Find Schools Available Licenses: LCSW Supervised Work Experience: Two Years Examination: ASWB Clinical Level Exam Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Vermont	Master's or Doctorate* *Accredited by CSWE
Virginia	Education: Bachelor's + Master's Find Schools Available Licenses: LSW / LCSW Supervised Work Experience: Two Years / 3,000 Hours Examination: ASWB Bachelors or Clinical Exam Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Virginia	Bachelor's or Master's* *Accredited by CSWE
Washington	Education: Bachelor's + Master's or Doctorate Find Schools Available Licenses: LSWAIC / LSWAA / LICSW / LASW Supervised Work Experience: Read More Examination: ASWB Clinical or Advanced Generalist Exam Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Washington	Master's or Doctorate* *Accredited by CSWE
West Virginia	Education: Bachelor's + Master's or Doctorate Find Schools Available Licenses: LSW / LGSW / LCSW / LICSW Supervised Work Experience: Two Years / 3,000 Hours Examination: Read More Read More About Licensing Guidelines in West Virginia	BSW / MSW / DSW* *Accredited by CSWE
Wisconsin	Education: Bachelor's + Master's or Doctorate Find Schools Available Licenses: CSW / CAPSW / CISW / LCSW Supervised Work Experience: Two Years / 3,000 Hours Examination: ASWB Bachelor's, Master's or Clinical Exam Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Wisconsin	BSW / MSW / DSW* *Accredited by CSWE
Wyoming	Education: Bachelor's, Master's Find Schools Available Licenses: CSW / LCSW Supervised Work Experience: 3,000 Hours Examination: ASWB Master's or Clinical Exam Read More About Licensing Guidelines in Wyoming	Bachelor's or Master's* *Accredited by CSWE

Find a Social Work Degree in Your State

Looking for more information about social work degrees near you? We have social work degree overviews that cover everything from career opportunities to schools in the area. Click on a state to find out more about potential options for you. You may also consider online social work degree options available from many accredited colleges & universities.