Become a Social Worker in Alaska

Start your social work career with the high altitudes of Mount Denali National Park, the icebergs of Glacier Bay, and a statewide network of over 2,600 social workers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Job prospects are promising, with all areas of social work expected to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034, according to the BLS.

This guide explains how to become a social worker in Alaska, including educational requirements, licensing, social work organizations to join, and more. Once you complete the steps to become a social worker in Alaska, you can embark on a meaningful, fulfilling career helping others in the Last Frontier.

The information below was retrieved in March 2026 and is intended only as a high-level overview. Requirements may change; always check with the state licensing board for complete and up-to-date information.

Social Work Degree Programs in Alaska

Social work degree programs in the United States are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). In Alaska, CSWE has two accredited BSW programs and two accredited MSW programs.

A bachelor’s degree in social work online or on-campus can enable a student to enter an advanced standing program in an MSW program, where you may be able to complete an MSW in around one year. A BSW also prepares students for entry-level social work positions. There are two universities offering accredited BSW programs in Alaska:

• University of Alaska, Anchorage
• University of Alaska, Fairbanks

To obtain higher-level licenses in Alaska, however, a minimum of an MSW is required. Some individuals advance their education and experience in social work by pursuing Doctor of Social Work (DSW) degrees.

Social Work Licenses in Alaska

Alaska has three types of licenses for social workers: licensed baccalaureate social worker (LBSW), licensed master social worker (LMSW), and licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). While you may practice entry-level social work with a bachelor’s degree, the Alaska board requires an MSW or DSW to practice more specialized social work. All information on BSW, MSW, and LCSW below was retrieved from the Alaska Board of Social Work Examiners (as of March 2026).

Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (BSW) in Alaska

Becoming an LBSW allows you to practice non-clinical social work and accept positions in client advocacy or case management after receiving licensure.

• Education Requirement: Bachelor of Social Work degree
• Field Requirements: None
• Exams: ASWB bachelor’s exam
• License Renewal: 45 hours of professional development in continuing education

Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in Alaska

Becoming an LMSW allows you to practice clinical social work under the supervision of an LCSW, or another board-approved social work provider.

• Education Requirement: Master or Doctorate of Social Work degree
• Field Requirements: None
• Exams: ASWB master’s exam
• License Renewal: 45 hours of professional development in continuing education

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Alaska

Becoming an LCSW allows you to practice clinical or non-clinical social work independently after receiving licensure.

• Education Requirement: Master or Doctorate of Social Work degree
• Field Requirements: 3,000 hours of supervised clinical social work
• Exams: ASWB clinical or advanced generalist exam
• License Renewal: 45 hours of professional development in continuing education

Social Work Salaries in Alaska

The following salary data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates for Alaska, May 2024.

Alaska Social Work Scholarships and Financial Resources

Funding a social work education in Alaska requires knowing where to look, as resources vary significantly by degree level, residency, and background. The programs below can help offset the cost of a BSW or MSW, or support you after graduation through loan repayment and incentive programs.

For BSW Students

Alaska residents pursuing a BSW at UAA or UAF have access to several state-funded programs.

• The Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS), administered by the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE), is a merit-based award for Alaska high school graduates attending eligible in-state institutions. Awards vary by achievement level and can be applied toward up to eight semesters of undergraduate study.
• The Alaska Education Grant (AEG) is a need-based state grant also administered by ACPE, available to Alaska residents enrolled at least half-time in an undergraduate program. Filing the FAFSA early is essential, as AEG funds are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until exhausted.

For MSW Students

• The NASW Foundation's Consuelo W. Gosnell Memorial Scholarship is one of the most relevant national awards for Alaska MSW students. It supports candidates committed to working with American Indian, Alaska Native, and Hispanic/Latino communities, or with underserved populations through nonprofit or grassroots organizations. Awards of up to $4,000 are available to NASW members enrolled in CSWE-accredited programs. Applications are typically accepted January through March each year.
• The Native Forward Scholars Fund (formerly the American Indian Graduate Center) offers scholarships and fellowships for Alaska Native and American Indian graduate students across many disciplines, including social work. Students must be enrolled members or descendants of federally or state-recognized tribes.

For Alaska Native Students at Any Degree Level

Alaska Native students have access to a robust network of scholarship funding through regional Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs). These awards are available at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and can be stacked with state and federal aid. Major programs include:

• The CIRI Foundation — for CIRI original shareholders and lineal descendants. Awards are distributed on a per-term basis at $200 per undergraduate credit hour or $400 per graduate credit hour, up to $3,000 per term.
• Doyon Foundation — for Doyon, Limited shareholders and their children, with multiple award cycles per year for full-time and part-time students.
• Sealaska Heritage Institute Scholarships — for Sealaska shareholders and descendants, with applications opening each December.

Additional ANC-affiliated foundations operate across Alaska's regions, including the Chugach Heritage Foundation, Aqqaluk Trust, and Aleut Foundation. Eligible students should check directly with their regional corporation, as eligibility, award amounts, and deadlines vary. The Alaska Community Foundation maintains a current directory of these programs at alaskacf.org.

For LGBTQ+ Students at Any Degree Level

• The Pride Foundation offers scholarships for LGBTQ+ and allied students at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. Applicants must live or have recently lived in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington, and may study anywhere.

For Licensed Clinical Social Workers: Post-Graduate Loan Repayment and Incentive Programs

Earning your LCSW opens the door to several meaningful financial programs designed to support social workers practicing in high-need communities across Alaska.

• Alaska's Health Care Workforce Enhancement Program (HWEP) replaced the former SHARP program and offers quarterly direct incentive payments or student loan repayment to eligible health care professionals who commit to a three-year service term at an approved site. Licensed Clinical Social Workers qualify as Tier 2 professionals under the program. To be eligible, you must be employed full- or half-time by an HWEP-approved employer at a qualifying site, which may include behavioral health clinics, substance-use treatment facilities, hospitals, and other health care settings in rural or underserved communities. Sites must meet at least one criterion, such as being located in a rural Alaska community, designated as a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA), or serving a population in which at least 30% of patients are uninsured or on Medicaid.

Note that the HWEP is a post-graduation, employment-based program, not a scholarship for current students. It is best understood as a financial incentive for LCSWs ready to commit to serving in a high-need Alaska community.

• The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) offers both scholarships for students currently enrolled in qualifying programs and loan repayment for practicing providers working in federally designated HPSAs. LCSWs are among the eligible disciplines, making this one of the most accessible federal financial support options for social work students and new graduates planning to work in underserved communities.
• The Indian Health Service (IHS) Loan Repayment Program provides loan repayment assistance to health care professionals who commit to serving Alaska Native and Native American communities. Given Alaska's significant Alaska Native population and the scope of behavioral health needs in those communities, this program is particularly worth exploring for LCSW graduates interested in culturally focused or rural practice.

Alaska Social Worker Organizations

There are countless local and national associations and organizations that promote, develop, and protect the practice of social work and social workers. Better social work means better solutions for issues such as welfare, child welfare, elderly welfare, health care reform, and other issues affecting disadvantaged people in Alaska and beyond.

• National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Alaska chapter: This chapter is committed to promoting the social work profession, advancing social work practice, shaping public policy, and advocating to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities in Alaska while promoting social justice.
• The Alaska Community Foundation: Established in 1995 to cultivate, celebrate, and sustain all forms of philanthropy to strengthen Alaska’s communities. They connect people who care with causes that matter by encouraging and nurturing philanthropy through the creation and management of permanent endowments, convening stakeholders, and working with partners to strengthen Alaskan communities.
• Alaska Public Health Association: This group works to identify, raise awareness, and advocate for public health in Alaska. ALPHA educates, guides, and influences issues affecting the public’s health by partnering with other public health advocates on targeted initiatives and more.

Alaska Social Work FAQs

Does Alaska offer reciprocity for social work licenses?

Alaska allows out-of-state licensure by credentials. Applicants must have an equivalent social work license in another state, meet the educational prerequisites for the equivalent Alaska social work license, provide their official ASWB exam scores, and pay a fee on the state’s Board of Social Work Examiners’ site.

What are the social work continuing education requirements in Alaska?

Social workers must renew their license every two years. Additionally, social workers must complete 45 hours of continuing education, including at least 10 hours of live, live online, or synchronous training and 3 hours in professional ethics, due to the Board of Social Work Examiners' adopted regulatory changes in Title 12, Chapter 18 of the Alaska Administrative Code. To renew, follow the application renewal directions here.

What is the best way to look up my social work license in Alaska?

Search for your social work license in the MY LICENSE Self-Service Portal. Search by your name to find your license number status and professional information.