Interested in learning what is required to become a social worker in Hawaii? If so, this guide will be of use. As one of the top ten highest paying states for healthcare social workers in 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Hawaii is a great place to pursue a career in social work. Continue reading to learn what steps and guidelines you must follow to become a social worker in the Aloha State. 

This career guide to becoming a social worker in Hawaii covers educational requirements, licensing, social work organizations in Hawaii, and more. Once you complete the steps to become a Hawaii social worker, you can embark on a meaningful, fulfilling career helping others.

Information below was retrieved January 2026 and is only meant to be a high-level overview. Requirements may change, always check with the state licensing board for complete and up to date information.

Common Steps to Become a Hawaii Social Worker

Before becoming a social worker in Hawaii, you must earn a BSW (for LBSW), MSW/doctoral (for LSW), or MSW + clinical path requirements (for LCSW). There may also be additional requirements such as a criminal history disclosure/documentation and clinical supervision, based on your goals. Below are the steps to obtain all available social work licenses in Hawaii, as retrieved from the Hawaii State Professional & Vocational Licensing Division as of January 2026.

Steps to Become a Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW)

Applicants seeking licensure as a licensed baccalaureate social worker (LBSW) in Hawaii must have completed a bachelor’s degree in social work from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited college or university. An LBSW can practice non-clinical social work independently but may only practice clinical social work under Board-licensed supervision.

Complete the LBSW application. 

Required documentation includes official transcripts sent by the registrar of your undergraduate degree program. You may also need to request verification of examination results from the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). Both are sent to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA).

Apply to take the basic or bachelor’s ASWB exam. 

Applicants looking to become LBSWs in Hawaii must complete a basic or bachelor’s examination offered by the ASWB. Those who have already completed the examination must have ASWB submit their results directly to the DCCA along with their application. If you still need to take it, ASWB examinations in Hawaii are administered by Pearson VUE. through electronic testing. You must still submit a $60 payment with your application to DCCA. 

Receive your eligibility letter. 

For those who applied to take their ASWB exam in Hawaii, you should receive an eligibility letter (valid for one year) and an ASWB Candidate Handbook, which includes information on registration and a form to complete in order to register. 

Register for the exam.

You can send in a registration form taken from your ASWB Candidate Handbook, or you can go to the ASWB website and click on “Register for the ASWB Exam” and complete the form there. 

Pay the correct fees

The nonrefundable application fee is $60.

If you already passed the required ASWB exam, PVL’s current fee schedule lists a total payment (which already includes the $60 application fee) based on where you are in the triennium:

• First year: $281
• Second year: $222
• Third year: $163

If you are applying to take the exam, PVL indicates you’ll be notified of any remaining license fees due once all requirements have been met.

Receive your LBSW license. 

Upon completion of the above steps and Board approval you will receive your LBSW license.

Those looking to become an LSW must have received a Master of Social Work (MSW) or Doctor of Social Work (DSW) degree from a CSWE-accredited institution. Becoming an LSW allows you to practice more advanced social work and in a non-clinical environment.

Documentation to provide includes official transcripts from your master’s or doctoral degree program, social security number and ASWB examination results (if applicable). Transcripts should be sent directly from your school’s registrar, and verification of examination results must be received from the ASWB. Both are sent to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA).

Applicants looking to become LSWs in Hawaii must complete an intermediate, advanced or clinical examination offered by the ASWB. Those who have already completed the examination must have ASWB submit their results directly to the DCCA along with their application. If you still need to take it, ASWB examinations in Hawaii are administered by Pearson VUE. through electronic testing. You must still submit a $60 payment with your application to DCCA.

For those who applied to take their ASWB exam in Hawaii, you should receive an eligibility letter (valid for one year) and an ASWB Candidate Handbook, which includes information on registration and a form to complete in order to register. 

You can send in a registration form taken from your ASWB Candidate Handbook, or you can go to the ASWB website and click on “Register for the ASWB Exam” and complete the form there.

PVL lists a nonrefundable $60 application fee.

If you already passed the required ASWB exam, PVL’s current total fee schedule (which includes the $60 application fee) is:

Upon completion of the above steps and Board approval you will receive your LSW license. 

Those looking to become an LCSW must have received an accredited MSW or DSW. Becoming an LCSW allows you to provide clinical services independently but you must remain under supervision for non-clinical cases. 

Documentation to provide includes official transcripts from your master’s or doctoral degree program, social security number and ASWB examination results (if applicable). Transcripts should be sent directly from your school’s Registrar, and verification of examination results must be received from the ASWB. Both are sent to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) at this address: 

Additionally, an LCSW application requires at least 3,000 hours of clinical social work experience. These hours should include at least 2,000 hours of assessment, clinical diagnosis and psychotherapy; no more than 900 hours of client-centered advocacy, consultation and evaluation; and at least 100 hours of face- to-face supervision. 

Applicants looking to become LCSWs in Hawaii must complete a clinical examination offered by the ASWB. Those who have already completed the examination must have ASWB submit results directly to the DCCA along with their application. If you still need to take it, examinations in Hawaii are administered by Pearson VUE through electronic testing. You must still submit a $60 payment with your application to DCCA. 

For those who applied to take their ASWB exam in Hawaii, you should receive an eligibility letter (valid for one year) and an ASWB Candidate Handbook, which includes information on registration and a form to complete in order to register. 

You can send in a registration form taken from your ASWB Candidate Handbook, or you can go to the ASWB website and click on “Register for the ASWB Exam” and complete the form there.

PVL lists a nonrefundable $60 application fee.

If you already passed the required exam, PVL lists these total fees (which include the $60 application fee):

If you are applying to take the exam, PVL indicates you will be notified of any license fees due once all requirements have been met.

Upon completion of the above steps and Board approval you will receive your LCSW license. 

There are several degree programs in social work available in Hawaii depending on your goals. For those early in their career or looking to become a LBSW, a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is a good way to get started. Completing this degree may also help you earn an advanced standing position in your graduate studies, accelerating your timeline to complete the graduate degree.

The following universities in Hawaii offer CSWE-accredited bachelor’s degree programs in social work:

For students ready for graduate studies, Hawaiʻi currently offers CSWE-accredited MSW programs through the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and Hawaiʻi Pacific University. Depending on your track option of full-time, part-time, or advanced standing, you can finish an MSW in as little as a year. Based on your undergraduate social work degree, you may need to take some prerequisite courses. Foundation classwork involves human behavior, research and clinical practice. 

If you want more flexibility while earning your MSW, Hawaiʻi does offer distance-friendly options, but it’s important to know that not every “distance” MSW is 100% online, and all MSW programs include in-person field education (internship hours completed in real-world settings).

In Hawaiʻi, your main options are:

Program formats (such as full-time, part-time, and advanced standing) vary by school, so students should confirm delivery style, scheduling expectations, and field placement logistics before applying. 

Information on the above social work salaries in Hawaii was retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: Hawaii in January 2026.

Paying for a social work degree in Hawaiʻi often involves combining multiple funding sources—statewide scholarship portals, Native Hawaiian-focused workforce programs, and school-based awards. Below are a few options to explore (deadlines and eligibility vary year to year, so always confirm details directly with the sponsor).

Several local and national organizations support social workers and strengthen social work practice in Hawaiʻi. Better social work means better solutions for issues such as welfare, child welfare, elderly welfare, health care reform and other issues affecting the disadvantaged populations in Hawaii and beyond.

Hawaiʻi doesn’t have a simple “license reciprocity” shortcut where an out-of-state license automatically transfers. Instead, out-of-state social workers can still apply for a Hawaiʻi license (often through licensure by endorsement), but you must meet Hawaiʻi’s education and exam requirements and submit verification of any licenses you hold or have held in other jurisdictions. If you’ve taken the ASWB exam, request that ASWB send PVL an official score transfer directly. A criminal history record check is required only in certain situations, such as when your application indicates a criminal conviction, per PVL instructions.

Social workers must renew their license every three years. Renewal requires completing 45 hours of continuing education per year, including 3 hours in ethics. The State’s Professional & Vocational Licensing Division renewal fee ranges depending on your license. Find continuing education events at the NASW Hawaii Chapter (and other ASWB/NASW-approved providers), but make sure the course is NASW- or ASWB-approved to count toward renewal.

Search for your social work license at the Hawai’i Professional & Vocational Licensing Search site. The site’s options will allow you to search your name and find your license number, license status and details surrounding your professional information.

Information last updated January 2026.