Become a Social Worker in Minnesota 
Table of Contents
Disclaimer: Due to the rapidly changing nature of social work regulations, for the most up-to-date information on becoming a social worker in Minnesota, contact the Minnesota Social Work Licensing Board.
Minnesota law recognizes four classes of social workers: Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW), Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW) and Licensed Social Worker (LSW). The requirements are as follows:
Sponsored Online Social Work Programs
Sponsored Online Master's in Social Work Programs
| SCHOOL |
DESCRIPTION |
| Fordham University |
- Four areas of focus: Individuals and Families, Organizations and Community, Evaluation, and Policy Practice and Advocacy
|
| Baylor University |
- Ethically integrates faith and social work practice
- Specialize in clinical practice or community practice
|
| Case Western Reserve University |
- From Case Western Reserve University’s top-10 ranked school of social work
- Traditional and Advanced Standing tracks available
|
| University of Denver |
- Research-driven faculty dedicated to making an impact on social problems
- Prepares you to apply social work skills across practice settings
|
| University of Southern California (USC) |
- Offered by USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck Shool of Social Work, a top-ranked graduate school by U.S. News and World Report
- Features virtual and in-person field education in or near student's own communities
|
| Simmons University |
- Four Clinical Specializations: Child and Family, Trauma and Interpersonal Violence, Mental Health and Addictions, and Health and Aging
- Three program tracks: Traditional, Accelerated, and Extended
|
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Minnesota LICSW Education Requirement: A
graduate degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work, or a similar accreditation body designated by the board; or a doctorate in social work from an accredited university
Minnesota LICSW Exam: Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Clinical Level Examination
Field Requirement: 200 hours of clinical supervision must be obtained in no less than 4,000 hours, and no more than 8,000 hours of post-graduate clinical social work practice authorized by law (of the 4,000 hours of clinical practice, 1,800 hours must be direct clinical client contact)
Fee: $45 application fee, $238.50 license
fee, $260 ASWB examination fee
Additional Information: 360 clock hours in
clinical knowledge areas. Criminal background check required. (background check fee: $32)
Endorsement: Available upon board approval
License Renewal: Renewal is required every two years. Requirements for renewal are the successful completion of 40 contact hours of continuing education, including 2 hours in ethics and payment of a $238.50 renewal fee. LICSW licensees must document at least 24 of the 40 continuing education hours in clinical content.
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Minnesota LISW Education Requirement: A
graduate degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work, or a similar accreditation body designated by the board; or a doctorate in social work from an accredited university
Minnesota LISW Exam: Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Advanced Generalist Level Examination
Field Requirement: None
Fee: $45 application fee, $216 license fee, $260 ASWB examination fee ($32 criminal background check)
Additional Information: 100 hours of supervision for 4,000 hours of non-clinical practice; for LISWs engaged in clinical practice, the post-licensure practice requirement is the same as the field requirement for LICSWs. Criminal background check required.
Endorsement: Available through board approval
License Renewal: Renewal is required every two years. Requirements for renewal are the successful completion of 40 contact hours of continuing education, including 2 hours in ethics and payment of a $216 renewal fee.
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Minnesota LGSW Education Requirement: A
graduate degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work or a similar accreditation body designated by the board, or a doctorate in social work from an accredited university
Minnesota LGSW Exam: Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Master's Level Examination
Field Requirement: None
Fee: $45 application fee, $144 license fee, $230 ASWB examination fee ($32 criminal background check)
Additional Information: After licensure, 100 hours of supervision for 4,000 hours of supervised practice; for LGSWs engaged in clinical practice, the post-licensure practice requirement is the same as the field requirement for LICSWs. Criminal background check required.
Endorsement: Available through board approval
License Renewal: Renewal is required every two years. Requirements for renewal are the successful completion of 40 contact hours of continuing education, including 2 hours in ethics and payment of a $144 renewal fee.
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Minnesota LSW Education Requirement: A baccalaureate degree in social work from a program accredited by CSWE, the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work or a similar accreditation body designated by the board; or a doctorate in social work from an accredited university
Minnesota LSW Exam: Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Bachelor's Level Examination
Field Requirement: None
Fee: $45 application fee, $81 license fee, $230 ASWB examination fee ($32 criminal background check)
Additional Information: 100 hours of post-licensure supervision and 4,000 supervised practice hours are required once licensure is awarded. Criminal background check required.
Endorsement: Available through board approval
License Renewal: Renewal is required every two years. Requirements for renewal are the successful completion of 40 contact hours of continuing education, including 2 hours in ethics and payment of an $81 renewal fee.
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In order to become a licensed social work practitioner in Minnesota, you will need to complete prerequisite coursework, examination requirements, and, in some cases, supervised work requirements. Also, certain levels of social work in Minnesota can only be reached after earning a Master of Social Work. We are committed to keeping updated information on Minnesota social work licensure policies available to you.
Disclaimer: There may be additional methods of certification that have not been covered here. Please contact your state social work licensing department for more information.
Minnesota Social Work Salary
Disclaimer:
Social Worker Salary information is taken from the
Bureau of Labor Statistics. Information about social worker salaries in Minnesota is subject to change. Please confirm salary information with your state before applying for licensure or renewal. Last updated: 8/22/2018.
Minnesota Social Work Scholarships
Type: Loan Repayment
Amount: Up to $20,000 annually
Description: The purpose of Minnesota’s State Loan Repayment Program is to improve access to primary care by assisting underserved communities with recruitment and retention of primary care providers. The program provides funds for repayment of qualifying education loans in exchange for practicing full time in a nonprofit private or public site in a Health Professional Shortage Area. Primary care providers may receive up to $20,000 annually per year of practice.
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