Social worker: BSW, MSW, ASWB exams and the clinical license
A bachelor's in social work (BSW) is the usual entry for nonclinical jobs. Clinical social workers need a master's (MSW), supervised clinical experience, the ASWB Clinical exam and a state license.
For: People who want to help families, children and patients solve everyday problems, and who can stay calm and organised in hard situations.
Route 1: BSW → nonclinical social work Entry level
A BSW is the most common requirement for entry-level nonclinical jobs.
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Start here
High school diploma
BLS
Social Workers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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4 years
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
Includes supervised fieldwork or an internship.
BLS
Social Workers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Exam gate
ASWB Bachelors exam, where the state licenses BSWs
Texas, for example, requires it for the LBSW.
ASWB examsTexas BHEC
How to become an LBSWTexas Behavioral Health Executive Council (State Board of Social Worker Examiners)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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License
Bachelor's-level license (some states)
Some states also require nonclinical social workers to have a license or credential.
License stepsBLS
Social Workers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Social worker (nonclinical)
BLS
Social Workers — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Route 2: MSW → supervised hours → LCSW Clinical
For counseling and mental health work. The bachelor's can be in almost any field; a BSW may shorten the MSW.
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Start here
Bachelor's degree
Common majors include psychology, social science and public policy.
BLS
Social Workers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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About 2 years
Master of Social Work (MSW)
From an accredited program, with a supervised practicum or internship.
BLS
Social Workers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Exam gate
ASWB Masters exam (LMSW, where offered)
New York, for example, requires it for the LMSW.
ASWB examsNYSED
License requirements for licensed master social workerNew York State Education Department, Office of the Professions- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Years
Supervised clinical experience
The length varies by state and may take several years.
BLS
Social Workers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Exam gate
ASWB Clinical exam
ASWB examsASWB
The Social Work Licensing ExamsAssociation of Social Work Boards (ASWB)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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License
Licensed clinical social worker (LCSW)
All states require clinical social workers to be licensed.
License stepsBLS
Social Workers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Clinical social worker
BLS
Social Workers — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
State licensing matrix
Social work licenses are issued state by state, and the license levels differ. What four state boards publish: ASWB
View source
| State or city | What you need |
|---|---|
| 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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Where to go next
Every career page in this cluster: entry, license, BLS pay and outlook.
What the job is, BLS pay and job outlook, and how to become one.