Social work license (LBSW, LMSW, LCSW)
Granted by state social work boards, not by a national exam alone. A bachelor's (BSW) or master's (MSW) degree in social work; clinical licenses need an MSW from an accredited program.
How to get licensed
A bachelor's (BSW) or master's (MSW) degree in social work; clinical licenses need an MSW from an accredited program.
- High school diploma
- BSW, or a bachelor's in any field before an MSW
- ASWB Bachelors exam, where the state requires it for BSWsExam
- MSW (generally 2 years, with a supervised practicum)
- ASWB Masters exam, then the LMSW where a state offers itExam
- Supervised clinical experience (state-set hours)
- ASWB Clinical examExam
- Clinical social work license (LCSW)License
The exams
National bodies write the exams; the state board decides who is licensed. ASWB — writes the Social Work Licensing Exams (Associate, Bachelors, Masters, Advanced Generalist, Clinical); CSWE — accredits BSW and MSW programs (state boards name it as the accreditor).
- ASWB Bachelors, Masters, Advanced Generalist or Clinical exam122 questions (110 scored), 4-hour limit, based on the 2026 blueprint. Apply to the state board first, then register with ASWB and test at a Pearson center. Fees: Associate, Bachelors or Masters US$230; Advanced Generalist or Clinical US$260.
ASWB
The Social Work Licensing ExamsAssociation of Social Work Boards (ASWB)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
State rules and other states
A social work license is issued by each state, and states differ in the categories they license. All states require clinical social workers to be licensed; some also license nonclinical social workers (BLS, ASWB).
What 4 state boards publish
| State | What the board asks for | Exam | Fee | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council — State Board of Social Worker Examiners | Three licenses. LBSW: CSWE-accredited BSW + ASWB Bachelors. LMSW: CSWE-accredited master's or doctorate + ASWB Masters. LCSW: master's or doctorate, 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience over at least 24 months with 100 hours of supervision, and ASWB Clinical. All three also need the Texas jurisprudence exam and an NPDB self-query. Texas BHECHow to become an LBSWTexas Behavioral Health Executive Council (State Board of Social Worker Examiners)
Texas BHECHow to become an LMSWTexas Behavioral Health Executive Council (State Board of Social Worker Examiners)
Texas BHECHow to become an LCSWTexas Behavioral Health Executive Council (State Board of Social Worker Examiners)
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| California Board of Behavioral Sciences | Two exams for the LCSW: the LCSW California Law and Ethics Exam, then the ASWB Clinical exam, which must be taken within one year of approval. California BBSLCSW clinical examination (ASWB)California Board of Behavioral Sciences
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| New York NYSED Office of the Professions | LMSW: at least 21, an MSW and the ASWB Masters exam. LCSW: an MSW with 12 semester hours of clinical coursework, 3 years of supervised post-MSW experience in diagnosis and psychotherapy, and the ASWB Clinical exam. Both need child-abuse reporting training. Licensure fee $294. NYSEDLicense requirements for licensed master social workerNew York State Education Department, Office of the Professions
NYSEDLicense requirements for licensed clinical social workerNew York State Education Department, Office of the Professions
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| Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling | Licensed clinical social worker: a CSWE-accredited MSW with 24 semester hours of clinical coursework, 2 years of post-master's supervision (100 hours of supervision, 1,500 hours of face-to-face psychotherapy), the ASWB clinical exam and an 8-hour Florida laws and rules course. Florida 491 BoardLicensed clinical social worker: license by examinationFlorida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling
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Each row is copied from that board's own page and cites it. A dash means the board page we read did not state it. Other states have their own rules: check the board where you will work, or open the state pages.
Good to know
Not always required
- Some nonclinical social work jobs do not need a license; that depends on the state (BLS).