August 20, 2010 |
2010-R-0348 | |
SOCIAL WORK LICENSURE | ||
By: Nicole Dube, Associate Analyst | ||
You asked how many states have more than one level of social work licensure.
SUMMARY
According to the Association of Social Work Boards, 46 states and the District of Columbia have different levels of social work licensure. 2010 legislation established a new “master level” licensure for certain social workers in Connecticut (PA 10-38, vetoed; overridden). The Department of Public Health has not yet implemented the licensure program. (It may do so only if appropriations are available.) Table 1 describes licensure levels and requirements in these states.
Licensure requirements vary among states. Almost all levels of licensure require a social work degree, such as a bachelor of social work (BSW), master of social work (MSW), or doctor of social work (DSW). Nine states (Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, South Dakota, and Utah) have at least one level of licensure that does not require a social work degree but requires another degree such as a high school diploma or bachelors degree. Board approval is required for almost all levels of licensure in these states. Alabama does not require approval for one level, New Jersey does not require it for two of its levels, California does not require it for either of its levels, and Maine does not require it for any of its seven levels.
Most states require licensure candidates to pass an Association of Social Work Boards' licensure examination in one of the following categories: bachelors, masters, advanced generalist, and clinical. All states and the District of Columbia have licensure levels that require clinical experience and levels that do not.
Table 1: States With Multiple Social Work Licensure Levels
Title |
Initials |
Education |
Experience |
Exam |
Board |
Alabama |
|
|
|
|
|
Private Independent Practice (Certified) |
PIP |
DSW/MSW |
2 years post graduate |
No |
N/A |
Licensed Certified Social Worker |
LCSW |
DSW/MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Clinical / Advanced Generalist |
Yes |
Licensed Graduate Social Worker |
LGSW |
DSW/MSW |
0 |
Masters |
Yes |
Licensed Bachelor Social Worker |
LBSW |
BSW |
0 |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Alaska |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
LCSW |
DSW/MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Clinical |
Yes |
Licensed Master Social Worker |
LMSW |
DSW/MSW |
0 |
Masters |
Yes |
Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker |
LBSW |
BSW |
0 |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Arizona |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
LCSW |
DSW/MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Clinical |
Yes |
Licensed Master Social Worker |
LMSW |
DSW/MSW |
0 |
Masters |
Yes |
Licensed Bachelor Social Worker |
LBSW |
BSW |
0 |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Arkansas |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Certified Social Worker |
LCSW |
MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Clinical / Advanced Generalist |
Yes |
Licensed Master Social Worker |
LMSW |
MSW |
0 |
Masters |
Yes |
Licensed Social Worker |
LSW |
BSW |
0 |
Bachelors |
Yes |
California |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
LCSW |
MSW |
2 years post graduate |
No |
N/A |
Associate Clinical Social Worker |
ASW |
MSW |
0 |
No |
N/A |
Table 1: -Continued-
Title |
Initials |
Education |
Experience |
Exam |
Board |
Colorado |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
LCSW |
DSW/MSW |
1 year/2 years post graduate |
Clinical / Advanced Generalist |
Yes |
Licensed Social Worker |
LSW |
MSW |
0 |
Masters/ Advanced Generalist/ Clinical |
Yes |
Connecticut |
|
|
|
||
Licensed Master Social Worker |
LMSW |
MSW |
0 |
Masters |
Yes |
Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
LCSW |
DSW/MSW |
3,000 hours post graduate |
Clinical |
Yes |
District of Columbia |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker |
LICSW |
DSW/MSW |
3,000 hours post graduate |
Clinical |
Yes |
Licensed Independent Social Worker |
LISW |
DSW/MSW |
3,000 hours post graduate |
Advanced Generalist |
Yes |
Licensed Graduate Social Worker |
LGSW |
DSW/MSW |
0 |
Masters |
Yes |
Licensed Social Work Associate |
LSWA |
BSW |
0 |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Florida |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
LCSW |
DSW/MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Clinical |
Yes |
Certified Master Social Worker |
CMSW |
MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Masters |
Yes |
Georgia |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
LCSW |
MSW |
3 years post graduate |
Clinical |
Yes |
Licensed Master Social Worker |
LMSW |
MSW |
0 |
Masters |
Yes |
Hawaii |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
LCSW |
DSW/MSW |
3,000 hours post graduate |
Clinical |
Yes |
Licensed Social Worker |
LSW |
DSW/MSW |
0 |
Masters |
Yes |
Licensed Bachelor Social Worker |
LBSW |
BSW |
0 |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Table 1: -Continued-
Title |
Initials |
Education |
Experience |
Exam |
Board |
Idaho |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
LCSW |
DSW/MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Clinical |
Yes |
Licensed Master Social Worker-Independent |
LMSWI |
MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Masters |
Yes |
Licensed Master Social Worker |
LMSW |
DSW/MSW |
0 |
Masters |
Yes |
Licensed Social Worker Independent |
LSWI |
BSW |
2 years post graduate |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Licensed Social Worker |
LSW |
BSW |
0 |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Illinois |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
LCSW |
DSW |
2,000 hours post graduate |
Clinical |
Yes |
Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
LCSW |
MSW |
3,000 hours post graduate |
Clinical |
Yes |
Licensed Social Worker |
LSW |
MSW |
0 |
Masters |
Yes |
Licensed Social Worker |
LSW |
BSW |
3 years post graduate |
Masters |
Yes |
Indiana |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
LCSW |
DSW/MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Clinical |
Yes |
Licensed Social Worker |
LSW |
MSW |
0 |
Masters |
Yes |
Licensed Social Worker |
LSW |
BSW |
2 years post graduate |
Masters |
Yes |
Iowa |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Independent Social Worker |
LISW |
DSW/MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Clinical |
Yes |
Licensed Master Social Worker |
LMSW |
DSW/MSW |
0 |
Masters |
Yes |
Licensed Bachelor Social Worker |
LBSW |
BSW |
0 |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Kansas |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker |
LSCSW |
DSW/MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Clinical |
Yes |
Licensed Master Social Worker |
LMSW |
MSW |
0 |
Masters |
Yes |
Licensed Bachelor Social Worker |
LBSW |
BSW |
0 |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Table 1: -Continued-
Title |
Initials |
Education |
Experience |
Exam |
Board |
Kentucky |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
LCSW |
DSW/MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Clinical |
Yes |
Certified Social Worker |
CSW |
DSW/MSW |
0 |
Masters |
Yes |
Licensed Social Worker |
LSW |
BSW |
0 |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Licensed Social Worker |
LSW |
BA |
2 years post graduate |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Louisiana |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
LCSW |
MSW |
3 years post graduate |
Clinical / Advanced Generalist |
Yes |
Graduate Social Worker |
GSW |
MSW |
0 |
Masters |
Yes |
Registered Social Worker |
RSW |
BSW/BA/BS |
0 |
No |
Yes |
Maine |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
LCSW |
DSW/MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Clinical |
No |
Certified Social Worker-Independent Practice |
CSW-IP |
DSW/MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Clinical |
No |
Licensed Master Social Worker |
LMSW |
DSW/MSW |
0 |
Masters |
No |
Licensed Master Social Worker-Clinical Conditional |
LMSW-CC |
DSW/MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Masters |
No |
Licensed Social Worker |
LSW |
BSW |
0 |
Bachelors |
No |
Licensed Social Worker |
LSW |
BA/BS in related field |
3,200 hours |
Bachelors |
No |
Licensed Social Worker-Conditional |
LSW-C |
BA/BS in related field |
2 years post graduate |
No |
No |
Maryland |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical |
LCSW-C |
MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Clinical |
Yes |
Licensed Certified Social Worker |
LCSW |
MSW |
2 years post LGSW |
Advanced Generalist |
Yes |
Licensed Graduate Social Worker |
LGSW |
MSW |
0 |
Masters |
Yes |
Licensed Social Work Associate |
LSWA |
BSW |
0 |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Table 1: -Continued-
Title |
Initials |
Education |
Experience |
Exam |
Board |
Massachusetts |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker |
LICSW |
DSW/MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Clinical |
Yes |
Licensed Certified Social Worker |
LCSW |
DSW/MSW |
0 |
Masters |
Yes |
Licensed Social Worker |
LSW |
BSW |
0 |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Licensed Social Worker |
LSW |
BA/BS |
2 years |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Licensed Social Worker |
LSW |
HS Diploma |
10 years |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Licensed Social Worker |
LSW |
1 year college |
8 years |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Licensed Social Worker |
LSW |
2 years college |
6 years |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Licensed Social Worker |
LSW |
2.5 years college |
5 years |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Licensed Social Work Associate |
LSWA |
AA |
0 |
Associate |
Yes |
Licensed Social Work Associate |
LSWA |
BA/BS |
0 |
Associate |
Yes |
Licensed Social Work Associate |
LSWA |
HS Diploma |
4 years post graduate |
Associate |
Yes |
Michigan |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Master Social Worker-Clinical |
LMSW-C |
MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Clinical |
Yes |
Licensed Master Social Worker-Macro |
LMSW-M |
MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Advanced Generalist |
Yes |
Licensed Bachelor Social Worker |
LBSW |
BSW |
2 years post graduate |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Social Service Technician |
SWT |
Associates degree in SW |
350 hours |
No |
Yes |
Social Service Technician |
SWT |
2 years college w/4 courses in human services |
0 |
No |
Yes |
Social Service Technician |
SWT |
HS Diploma |
2,000 hours over at least 1 year |
No |
Yes |
Table 1: -Continued-
Title |
Initials |
Education |
Experience |
Exam |
Board |
Minnesota |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker |
LICSW |
DSW/MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Clinical |
Yes |
Licensed Independent Social Worker |
LISW |
DSW/MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Advanced Generalist |
Yes |
Licensed Graduate Social Worker |
LGSW |
DSW/MSW |
0 |
Masters |
Yes |
Licensed Social Worker |
LSW |
BSW |
0 |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Mississippi |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Certified Social Worker |
LCSW |
DSW/MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Clinical / Advanced Generalist |
Yes |
Licensed Master Social Worker |
LMSW |
DSW/MSW |
0 |
Masters |
Yes |
Licensed Social Worker |
LSW |
BSW |
0 |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Missouri |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker |
LBSW |
BSW |
3,000 hours post graduate |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Provisional Baccalaureate Social Worker |
PBLSW |
BSW |
0 |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Licensed Master Social Worker |
LMSW |
MSW |
0 |
Masters |
Yes |
Licensed Advanced Macro Social Worker |
LAMSW |
DSW/MSW |
3,000 hours post graduate |
Advanced Generalist |
Yes |
Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker-Independent Practice |
LABSW-IP |
BSW |
3,000 hours post graduate |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
LCSW |
DSW/MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Clinical |
Yes |
Provisional Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
PLCSW |
DSW/MSW |
0 |
Clinical |
Yes |
Nebraska |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Mental Health Practitioner |
LMHP |
DSW/MSW |
3,000 hours post graduate |
Clinical |
Yes |
Certified Master Social Worker |
CMSW |
DSW/MSW |
3,000 hours post graduate |
Clinical / Advanced Generalist |
Yes |
Certified Social Worker |
CSW |
BSW/MSW |
0 |
No |
Yes |
Table 1: -Continued-
Title |
Initials |
Education |
Experience |
Exam |
Board |
Nevada |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
LCSW |
DSW/MSW |
3,000 hours post graduate |
Clinical |
Yes |
Licensed Independent Social Worker |
LISW |
DSW/MSW |
3,000 hours post graduate |
Advanced Generalist |
Yes |
Licensed Social Worker |
LSW |
BSW/MSW |
0 |
Bachelors / Masters |
Yes |
New Jersey |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
LCSW |
DSW/MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Clinical |
Yes |
Licensed Social Worker |
LSW |
DSW/MSW |
0 |
Masters |
Yes |
Certified Social Worker |
CSW |
BSW |
0 |
N/R |
No |
Certified Social Worker |
CSW |
BA/BS in related field |
1600 hours over 18 months., prior to 1995 only |
N/R |
No |
New Mexico |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Independent Social Worker |
LISW |
MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Clinical / Advanced Generalist |
Yes |
Licensed Master Social Worker |
LMSW |
MSW |
0 |
Masters |
Yes |
Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker |
LBSW |
BSW |
0 |
Bachelors |
Yes |
New York |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
LCSW |
MSW |
3 years post graduate |
Clinical |
Yes |
Licensed Master Social Worker |
LMSW |
MSW |
0 |
Masters |
Yes |
North Carolina |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
LCSW |
DSW/MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Clinical |
Yes |
Certified Master Social Worker |
CMSW |
DSW/MSW |
0 |
Masters |
Yes |
Certified Social Worker |
CSW |
BSW |
0 |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Certified Social Work Manager |
CSWM |
DSW/MSW/BSW |
2 years post graduate |
Advanced Generalist |
Yes |
Table 1: -Continued-
Title |
Initials |
Education |
Experience |
Exam |
Board |
North Dakota |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker |
LICSW |
DSW/MSW |
4 years post graduate |
Clinical |
Yes |
Licensed Certified Social Worker |
LCSW |
DSW/MSW |
0 |
Masters/ Advanced Generalist/ Clinical |
Yes |
Licensed Social Worker |
LSW |
BSW |
0 |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Ohio |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Independent Social Worker |
LISW |
DSW/MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Clinical / Advanced Generalist |
Yes |
Licensed Social Worker |
LSW |
DSW/MSW/BSW |
0 |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Registered Social Work Assistant |
SWA |
AAS |
0 |
No |
Yes |
Oklahoma |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
LCSW |
MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Clinical |
Yes |
Licensed Social Worker-Administration |
LSW |
MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Advanced Generalist |
Yes |
Licensed Social Worker |
LSW |
MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Advanced Generalist |
Yes |
Licensed Master Social Worker |
LMSW |
MSW |
0 |
Masters |
Yes |
Licensed Social Work Associate |
LSWA |
BSW |
2 years post graduate |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Oregon |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
LCSW |
DSW/MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Clinical |
Yes |
Clinical Social Work Associate |
CSWA |
DSW/MSW |
0 |
No |
Yes |
Pennsylvania |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
LCSW |
MSW |
3 years post graduate or 3,600 hours |
Clinical |
Yes |
Licensed Social Worker |
LSW |
MSW |
0 |
Masters |
Yes |
Provisional Social Worker |
PSW |
BSW |
0 |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Rhode Island |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker |
LICSW |
DSW/MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Clinical |
Yes |
Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
LCSW |
MSW |
0 |
Masters |
Yes |
Table 1: -Continued-
Title |
Initials |
Education |
Experience |
Exam |
Board |
South Carolina |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Independent Social Worker-AP |
LISW-AP |
DSW/MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Advanced Generalist |
Yes |
Licensed Independent Social Worker-CP |
LISW-CP |
DSW/MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Clinical |
Yes |
Licensed Master Social Worker |
LMSW |
DSW/MSW |
0 |
Masters |
Yes |
Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker |
LBSW |
BSW |
0 |
Bachelors |
Yes |
South Dakota |
|
|
|
|
|
Private Independent Practice |
CSW-PIP |
DSW/MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Clinical / Advanced Generalist |
Yes |
Certified Social Worker |
CSW |
DSW/MSW |
0 |
Masters |
Yes |
Social Worker |
SW |
BSW |
0 |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Social Worker |
SW |
BA |
2 years post graduate |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Social Work Associate |
SWA |
AA/BA |
0 |
Associate |
Yes |
Tennessee |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Baccalaureate Social Wkr |
LBSW |
BSW |
0 |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Licensed Master Social Worker |
LMSW |
DSW/MSW |
0 |
Masters |
Yes |
Licensed Advanced Practice Social Worker |
LAPSW |
DSW/MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Advanced Generalist |
Yes |
Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
LCSW |
DSW/MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Clinical |
Yes |
Texas |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
LCSW |
DSW/MSW |
3,000 hours post graduate |
Clinical |
Yes |
Licensed Master Social Worker-Advanced Practice |
LMSW-AP |
DSW/MSW |
3,000 hours post graduate |
Advanced Generalist |
Yes |
Licensed Master Social Worker |
LMSW |
DSW/MSW |
0 |
Masters |
Yes |
Licensed Baccalaureate Social Wkr |
LBSW |
BSW |
0 |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Utah |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
LCSW |
DSW/MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Clinical |
Yes |
Certified Social Worker |
CSW |
DSW/MSW |
0 |
Masters |
Yes |
Social Service Worker |
SSW |
DSW/MSW/BSW |
0 |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Social Service Worker |
SSW |
BA |
1 year |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Table 1: -Continued-
Title |
Initials |
Education |
Experience |
Exam |
Board |
Virginia |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
LCSW |
MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Clinical |
Yes |
Licensed Social Worker |
LSW |
MSW |
0 |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Licensed Social Worker |
LSW |
BSW |
2 years post graduate |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Washington |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker |
LICSW |
DSW/MSW |
3 years post graduate |
Clinical |
Yes |
Licensed Advanced Social Worker |
LASW |
DSW/MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Advanced Generalist |
Yes |
West Virginia |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker |
LICSW |
DSW/MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Clinical |
Yes |
Licensed Certified Social Worker |
LCSW |
DSW/MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Advanced Generalist |
Yes |
Licensed Graduate Social Worker |
LGSW |
MSW |
0 |
Masters |
Yes |
Licensed Social Worker |
LSW |
BSW |
0 |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Wisconsin |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
LCSW |
DSW/MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Clinical |
Yes |
Certified Independent Social Worker |
CISW |
DSW/MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Advanced Generalist |
Yes |
Certified Advanced Practice Social Worker |
CAPSW |
DSW/MSW |
0 |
Masters |
Yes |
Certified Social Worker |
CSW |
BSW/MSW |
0 |
Bachelors |
Yes |
Wyoming |
|
|
|
|
|
Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
LCSW |
DSW/MSW |
2 years post graduate |
Clinical / Advanced Generalist |
Yes |
Provisional Clinical Social Worker |
PCSW |
DSW/MSW |
0 |
No |
Yes |
Certified Social Worker |
CSW |
BSW |
0 |
Bachelors / Masters |
Yes |
Source: Table provided by the Association of Social Work Boards. We amended Connecticut's information to reflect recent legislation (PA 10- 38).
ND:ts