Written by Nalea J. Ko
Last Updated: July 2023
Each state sets its licensing standards and titles for social workers. Depending on your state, you may need a bachelor's or a master's degree to become licensed.
Are you curious about the requirements in your state? Here, we break down social work license requirements by state, including renewal rules and fees.
Types of Social Work Licenses
Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW)
The LBSW is an entry-level license. An LBSW holds a four-year bachelor's in social work degree, which usually requires about 400 field hours. As an LBSW, you can practice in any of the 21 states that offer this first-level license.
You work under the supervision of a licensed clinical social worker or case management supervisor to help patients access community resources. The job also requires documenting patient histories, making assessments, and creating treatment plans.
Without a graduate degree and advanced social worker license, you cannot provide diagnosis and treatment in clinical settings. That said, a BSW degree provides a stepping stone to earning an MSW degree.
Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW)
A LGSW, a mid-level licensed social worker, can perform non-clinical and clinical work. LGSWs can provide psychotherapy and counseling under the supervision of a licensed social worker.
This license requires a master's of social work degree or a doctorate in social work degree from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited school. An LGSW is a master's type license only offered in Minnesota, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. In these states, you can work in hospice care, nonprofits, and public schools.
To become an LGSW, you may need about 4,000 clinical supervised practice hours, depending on the state. Not every state requires clinical experience.
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
After earning a master of social work, you can become an LMSW in states offering this mid-level license. Social workers often get experience as LMSWs before becoming licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs). LMSWs can provide clinical services under the supervision of an LCSW.
Licensed master social workers provide macro-level services that address larger social issues in communities. Not every state offers an LMSW license. For instance, states such as Alaska and Arkansas specifically have LMSW licenses, while Connecticut offers a master-level social worker license.
To become a licensed master's social worker, you need to graduate from an accredited school and pass the Association of Social Work Boards Masters Exam.
Licensed Master Social Worker – Advanced Generalist (LMSW – AG)
An LMSW-AG social worker has the credentials and skills to provide clinical services, but they also create social programs, provide community organizing, and advocate for greater social change. This license can provide a social worker with greater career flexibility. In this role, you have the advanced training to make a social impact on a micro and macro level, working directly with clients or in communities and organizations.
LMSW-AGs also carry out managerial and supervisory roles. With this license, you can work in social justice, community advocacy, and child welfare agencies.
In addition to the roughly 1,200 hours of clinical experience required during an MSW program, an LMSW-AG also completes about two years of non-clinical supervised work. And you must pass the advanced generalist Association of Social Work Board (ASWB) exam.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
An LCSW holds a CSWE-accredited master of social work degree and about three years of post-graduate clinical experience. Most significantly, becoming an LCSW qualifies you for autonomous clinical practice. Licensed clinical social workers provide mental health diagnoses, treatment, and prevention services to individuals, families, and groups.
You need about three years and 2,400-3,000 direct client hours providing psychotherapy to get licensed. The exact clinical hours required for licensure depend on the state.
Becoming an LCSW requires passing the ASWB clinical exam. With an LCSW, you can work in home health care, clinics, child and family services, hospitals, and social services.
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Social Work License Requirements by State
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Alabama Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners
Available Licenses:
- Licensed clinical social worker
- Licensed master social worker
- Licensed bachelor social worker
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: All social work licenses in Alabama expire within two years. You need to submit a renewal application within 60 days after the expiration date and a license renewal fee of $100. Licensed social workers must complete at least 30 contact hours to renew their license, and supervisors also need three contact hours. Courses, developmental workshops, and publication of social work papers may suffice for contact hours.
Alaska Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Social Work Examiners Board
Available Licenses:
- Licensed baccalaureate social worker
- Licensed master social worker
- Licensed clinical social worker
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: In Alaska, your social work license expires after two years, by June 30. The full-term biennial license renewal costs $725 and the prorated license renewal costs $362.50. Depending on how long you have had your license, the Social Work Examiners Board requires 21-45 contact hours in areas such as cross-cultural education, professional ethics, substance abuse, teletherapy practice, and suicide education.
Arizona Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners
Available Licenses:
- Licensed baccalaureate social worker
- Licensed master social worker
- Licensed clinical social worker
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: Social workers in Arizona renew their license every two years and pay $325. You must submit an online or mail-in application along with proof of 30 continuing education hours to renew your license. Required continuing education hours must include three hours in behavioral health ethics or mental health law and cultural competency and diversity.
Arkansas Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board
Available Licenses:
- Licensed social worker
- Licensed master social worker
- Licensed certified social worker
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: Social work licenses expire every two years. The board requires at least 30 hours of continuing education, including three hours of behavioral health ethics and mental health law and three hours of cultural competency and diversity. The biennial license renewal costs $325.
California Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Board of Behavioral Sciences
Available Licenses:
- Licensed clinical social worker
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: Social work licenses in California must be renewed every two years. For active renewals, you must pay $220. First-time licensees renewing their license must complete 36 hours of continuing education. Any subsequent license renewal also requires six hours of law and ethics.
Colorado Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Colorado State Board of Social Work Examiners
Available Licenses:
- Provisional social worker
- Licensed social worker
- Licensed clinical social worker/certified social worker
- Licensed social worker/certified social worker
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: Your social work license in Colorado expires on August 31 of every odd-numbered year. You'll need to complete 40 professional development hours over two years to get your license renewed.
Connecticut Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Connecticut Department of Public Health
Available Licenses:
- Master level social worker
- Licensed clinical social worker
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: Connecticut requires social workers to renew their license every 12 months and pay a renewal application fee of $200. During each registration period, you must complete 15 continuing education hours. You can complete six of those hours online.
Delaware Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Board of Social Work Examiners
Available Licenses:
- Clinical social worker
- Licensed bachelor's social worker
- Licensed master's social worker
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: Social work licenses in Delaware expire every odd-numbered year on Jan. 31. Continuing education requirements depend on your social work license. Licensed bachelor's social workers must complete 18 continuing education hours, while licensed master's social workers need 24 hours. And licensed clinical social workers must earn 36 continuing education hours every two years.
Florida Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling
Available Licenses:
- Certified master social worker
- Licensed clinical social worker
- Provisional clinical social worker
- Registered clinical social worker
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: Social workers in Florida must renew their license every two years. To renew your license, you need to complete 30 hours on topics such as domestic violence, supervisor training, laws and rules, and ethics and boundaries. If you renew before your license expires, the cost is $155.
Georgia Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage & Family Therapists
Available Licenses:
- Clinical social worker
- Master social worker
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: Social work licenses expire on September 20 every two years. In Georgia, you must pay $100 to renew your license. And between each license cycle, you must complete 35 continuing education hours.
Hawaii Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Professional and Vocational Licensing Division
Available Licenses:
- Licensed social worker
- Licensed bachelor social worker
- Licensed clinical social worker
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: To maintain your social work license in Hawaii, you must renew it by June 30 every three years. If you renew your social work license on time, you'll pay between $177-$270, depending on your license. You also need to complete 45 continuing education hours.
Idaho Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Board of Social Work Examiners
Available Licenses:
- Licensed clinical social worker
- Licensed master social worker
- Licensed master social worker independent
- Licensed bachelor social worker
- Licensed social work independent
- Mental behavioral telehealth social worker
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: Social work licenses in Idaho expire every year, and you'll need to complete at least 20 continuing education hours. Renewing costs $80-$90, depending on your license type.
Illinois Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Available Licenses:
- Licensed social worker
- Clinical social worker
- Social worker continuing education sponsor
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: Illinois requires social work licensure renewals every two years on November 30. You'll pay $60 to renew your license. To keep your social work license current in Illinois, you must also complete 30 continuing education hours.
Indiana Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board
Available Licenses:
- Licensed bachelor of social work
- Licensed social worker
- Licensed clinical social worker
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: Social workers must renew their licenses in Indiana every two years. Indiana requires at least 40 continuing education hours each renewal cycle and a $50 renewal fee.
Iowa Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Iowa Board of Social Work
Available Licenses:
- Licensed bachelor social worker
- Licensed master social worker
- Licensed independent social worker
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: Social workers must renew their licenses every two years in Iowa. The state requires 27 continuing education hours to renew your license. Renewal licensing fees cost from $72-$144.
Kansas Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board
Available Licenses:
- Licensed bachelor social worker
- Licensed master social worker
- Licensed specialist clinical social worker
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: In Kansas, all levels of social workers must renew their license every two years. Renewal fees range from $50-$100. The state requires 40 continuing education hours for each renewal period.
Kentucky Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Kentucky Board of Social Work
Available Licenses:
- Licensed social worker (LSW)
- Certified social worker (CSW)
- Licensed clinical social worker (LCSWs)
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: Kentucky requires social workers to new their license every three years and pay a renewal or reinstatement fee of $75-$200. LCSWs need to complete 30 continuing education hours, CSWs 30 hours, and LSWs 15 hours.
Louisiana Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners
Available Licenses:
- Registered social worker
- Certified social worker/licensed master social worker
- Licensed clinical social worker
- Licensed clinical social worker-bachelor's
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: During a two-year renewal cycle, social workers must complete 20 continuing education hours, including three hours in social work ethics. Depending on your license, you'll pay a renewal fee between $25-75.
Maine Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Department of Professional and Financial Regulation's Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation
Available Licenses:
- Licensed social worker
- Licensed master social worker
- Licensed social worker (conditional)
- Licensed master social worker (conditional clinical)
- Licensed clinical social worker
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: Social workers must renew their license every two years. You cannot renew your license in Maine without completing 25 continuing education hours, including four contact hours in social work ethics. You must pay a $70 license fee and a $21 criminal history records fee.
Maryland Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners
Available Licenses:
- Licensed bachelor social worker
- Licensed masters social worker
- Licensed certified social worker
- Licensed certified social worker–clinical
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: Maryland requires social workers to complete 40 continuing education hours every two years. The board also requires a $100-$275 license renewal fee.
Massachusetts Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Board of Registration of Social Workers
Available Licenses:
- Licensed independent clinical social worker
- Licensed certified social worker
- Licensed social worker
- Licensed social work associate
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: The Board of Registration of Social workers mandates that social workers renew their licenses on their birthday every two years. You'll need 10-30 continuing education credits depending on your license. Fees to renew cost anywhere from $42-$82.
Michigan Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Michigan Board of Social Work
Available Licenses:
- Bachelor's social worker
- Limited bachelor's social worker
- Limited master's social worker
- Limited social services technician
- Master's social work, social service technician
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: Your social work licenses stay valid for three years in Michigan. Limited licenses and social service technicians do not need to complete continuing education hours, but other licensed social workers must finish 45 continuing education hours, including five in ethics and two in pain and pain symptom management. Renewal fees cost between $27-$81.
Minnesota Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Minnesota Board of Social Work
Available Licenses:
- Licensed social worker
- Licensed graduate social worker
- Licensed independent social worker
- Licensed independent clinical social worker
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: Every two years, social workers need to renew their licenses in Minnesota. You must pay a renewal fee of $110-$325 and complete 40 continuing education hours. You can complete as much as 50% of continuing education credits through independent learning.
Missouri Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Committee for Social Workers
Available Licenses:
- Licensed master social worker
- Licensed baccalaureate social worker
- Licensed clinical social worker
- Licensed advanced macro social worker
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: Social work licenses must be renewed every two years in Missouri. You'll pay $65 to renew your license. The committee requires 30 continuing education hours for each renewal cycle.
Montana Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Montana Board of Behavioral Health
Available Licenses:
- Licensed baccalaureate social worker candidate
- Licensed baccalaureate social worker
- Licensed clinical social worker
- Licensed clinical social worker candidate
- Licensed master's social worker (non-clinical)
- Licensed master's social worker candidate (non-clinical)
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: The state of Montana requires 20 hours of continuing education hours to renew a social work license. You must renew your license every year by December 31. The renewal application requires a $85 or $149 fee, depending on the license.
Nebraska Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
Available Licenses:
- Certified social worker
- Certified social worker
- Provisional certification as a master social worker
- Marriage and family therapists and master social workers
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: In Nebraska, you'll need to renew your social work license every two years and complete 32 continuing education hours, including four hours in ethics. Renewal fees range from $50-$125.
Nevada Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Nevada Board of Examiners for Social Workers
Available Licenses:
- Licensed social worker
- Licensed master social worker
- Licensed clinical social worker
- Licensed independent social worker
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: Social workers in Nevada need to renew their license every two years. You'll need to complete 30 or 36 continuing education credits during that time. Depending on your title, it costs either $125 or $187 to renew your license.
New Hampshire Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Board of Mental Health Practice
Available Licenses:
- Clinical social workers
- School social workers
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: Clinical social workers and school social workers must renew their license every two years and pay $298 each time. You'll also need to complete 40 continuing education hours to renew your social work license in New Hampshire.
New Jersey Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: State Board of Social Work Examiners
Available Licenses:
- Certified social workers (CSW)
- Licensed social worker (LSW)
- Licensed clinical social worker (LCSW)
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: In New Jersey, social workers renew their licenses every two years. CSWs must complete 20 continuing education hours, LSWs 30 hours, and LCSWs 40 hours. Certification renewals cost $70 and license renewals cost either $120 or $160, depending on your license.
New Mexico Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Board of Social Work Examiners
Available Licenses:
- Licensed baccalaureate social worker
- Licensed clinical social worker
- Licensed independent social worker
- Licensed master social worker
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: New Mexico social workers must renew their license every two years and pay $100, $150, or $200. The state requires 30 continuing education hours to renew your social work license, including six credits in cultural awareness.
New York Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: New York State Education Department's Office of Professions
Available Licenses:
- Licensed master social worker (LMSW)
- Licensed clinical social worker (LCSW)
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: New York social workers renew their licenses every three years. Both LMSWs and LCSWs must complete 36 continuing education hours and pay $224 for re-registration and continuing education fees.
North Carolina Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board
Available Licenses:
- Certified social worker
- Certified master social worker
- Licensed clinical social worker
- Licensed clinical social worker associate
- Certified social work manager
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: In North Carolina, you need to complete 40 continuing education hours to renew your social work license every two years. Renewing your license costs $70, $90, $140, or $150, depending on your license.
North Dakota Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners
Available Licenses:
- Licensed baccalaureate social worker
- Licensed master social worker
- Licensed clinical social worker
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: As a social worker in North Dakota, you'll renew your license every two years and complete 30 approved continuing education hours. You'll need to pay $75 to renew your license.
Ohio Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board
Available Licenses:
- Licensed independent social worker
- Supervising independent social worker
- Licensed social worker
- Registered social work assistant
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: All social work licenses in Ohio must be renewed every two years. The board requires 30 continuing education hours every renewal cycle and a renewal fee of $63.50, $83.50, or $103.50, depending on your license.
Oklahoma Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Social Workers
Available Licenses:
- Licensed social worker
- Licensed clinical social worker
- Licensed master social worker
- Licensed social worker – administration
- Licensed social work associate
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: Social workers in Oklahoma must renew their licenses every two years. Renewal requires completing at least 16 continuing education hours and paying $100.
Oregon Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers
Available Licenses:
- Clinical social work associate
- Licensed clinical social worker
- Licensed clinical social worker exam candidate
- Registered baccalaureate social worker
- Licensed master of social work
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: Oregon requires that social workers renew their licenses every two years. Additionally, licensed social workers must complete 20-30 continuing education hours. Active license renewal fees are $110, $220, or $286, depending on your license.
Pennsylvania Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: The State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors
Available Licenses:
- Licensed bachelor social worker
- Licensed social worker
- Licensed professional counselor
- Licensed clinical social worker
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: Pennsylvania requires that social workers renew their licenses every two years by February 28. Social workers need to complete 30 continuing education hours and pay a renewal fee of $95.
Rhode Island Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Board of Social Work Examiners
Available Licenses:
- Licensed clinical social worker
- Licensed independent clinical social worker
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: Rhode Island requires licensed social workers to renew their credentials every two years. You'll need to complete 30 continued education hours and pay the $70 renewal fee.
South Carolina Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners
Available Licenses:
- Licensed baccalaureate social workers
- Licensed master social worker
- Licensed independent social worker clinical practice and supervisor
- Licensed independent social worker advanced practice and supervisor
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: To renew your social work license in South Carolina, you need to complete 40 continuing education hours and pay the $50 renewal fee. Licenses are valid for two years.
South Dakota Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: South Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners
Available Licenses:
- Licensed social work associate
- Licensed social workers
- Certified social workers
- Certified social workers in private or independent practice
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: Social workers renew their license every two years in South Dakota. During that time, you need to complete 30 continuing education hours. Social work associates must pay $90; social workers $130; certified social workers $170; and certified social workers in private or independent practice pay $210.
Tennessee Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Tennessee Board of Social Workers
Available Licenses:
- Licensed baccalaureate social worker
- Licensed master social worker
- Licensed clinical social worker
- Licensed advanced practice social worker
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: As a social worker licensed in Tennessee, you must renew your credentials every two years. You'll also need to complete nine continuing education hours as a licensed baccalaureate social worker. Licensed master social workers must finish 12 continuing education hours. Licensed clinical social workers and licensed advanced practice social workers must have proof of 15 continuing education hours. Renewal fees are $45 or $95, depending on your license.
Utah Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Utah Department of Commerce's Division of Professional Licensing
Available Licenses:
- Licensed social service worker
- Certified social worker
- Licensed clinical social worker
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: To keep your social work license current in Utah, you need to renew it every two years by September 30. Licensed social service workers pay $78 and certified social workers and licensed clinical social workers pay $93. All licensees complete 20 or 40 continuing education hours, depending on their designation.
Vermont Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Office of Professional Regulation Social Workers Section
Available Licenses:
- Licensed master's social worker
- Licensed independent clinical social worker
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: In Vermont, your social work license stays valid for two years. You must renew it by completing 20 continuing education hours and paying the renewal fee.
Virginia Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Virginia Board of Social Work
Available Licenses:
- Registered social worker
- Associate social worker
- Licensed baccalaureate social worker
- Licensed master's social worker
- Licensed clinical social worker
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: When you get licensed as a social worker in Virginia, you must renew your credentials every two years and complete 15 or 30 continuing education hours, depending on your license. Registered social workers and associate social workers pay $25 to renew their licenses. Licensed baccalaureate social workers pay $55, licensed master's social workers pay $65, and licensed clinical social workers pay $90.
Washington Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Washington State Department of Health
Available Licenses:
- Associate-advanced and independent clinical social worker
- Licensed advanced social work
- Licensed independent clinical social worker
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: Every two years, as a licensed social worker in Washington, you must complete 36 continuing education hours. It also costs $116 to renew your license.
West Virginia Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: West Virginia Board of Social Work
Available Licenses:
- Licensed social worker
- Licensed graduate social worker
- Licensed certified social worker
- Licensed independent clinical social worker
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: Every two years, as a social worker in West Virginia, you need to earn 30 continuing education hours to maintain your license. It costs $76 to renew your license.
Wisconsin Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services
Available Licenses:
- Licensed social worker
- Licensed advanced practice social worker
- Licensed independent social worker
- Licensed clinical social worker
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: As a social worker in Wisconsin, you must earn 30 continuing education hours every two years to renew your license. It costs $60 to renew your license.
Wyoming Social Work License Requirements
State Licensing Board: Wyoming Mental Health Professions Licensing Board
Available Licenses:
- Certified social workers
- Licensed clinical social workers
- Provisional clinical social worker
Continuing Education and Renewal Requirements: In Wyoming, your social work license expires every two years. During that period, you need to earn 45 continuing education credits, pay $168, and complete a background check.