Become a Social Worker in California
California has more social workers than any other state in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), with social workers in environments like schools, healthcare and independent practices. If you want to help disadvantaged communities and individuals who need social resources to lead healthier and more fulfilling lives, you might be curious how to become a social worker in California.
In this career guide, learn about education and license requirements, social worker salaries and social worker schools in California. Discover some of the common steps to becoming a social worker in California if you’re interested in this meaningful career.
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In the online MSW program from top-ranked USC, students gain clinical skills through virtual and in-person field education. The Advanced Standing track can be completed in as little as one year.
Steps to Become a California Social Worker
Wondering how to become a social worker in California? The steps required include getting a social work education, gaining work experience in the field and becoming licensed in California, according to the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS).
1. Earn a CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work.
To become a licensed social worker in California, you must have earned a Master of Social Work (MSW) from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited school of social work; this includes associate clinical social worker (ACSW) and licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) requirements.
2. Complete additional required coursework.
In addition to an MSW, future social workers in California must ensure that they also have proof of completion for the following courses:
- Child Abuse Assessment and Reporting
- Human Sexuality
- Alcoholism and Chemical Substance Abuse and Dependency
- Aging, Long Term Care and Elder/Dependent Adult Abuse
- Spousal/Partner Abuse Assessment, Detection and Intervention
- Suicide Risk Assessment and Intervention
3. Complete post-graduate field hours.
Before you begin accruing post-graduate hours, you must register as an ACSW. While an MSW program will require field work experience to graduate, California requires 3,000 total supervised social work hours over a minimum of 104 weeks in order to become licensed as a clinical social worker. A minimum 2,000 hours overall must be in clinical experience, including a minimum of 750 hours performing in-person group or individual psychotherapy. A maximum 1,000 hours must be in non-clinical experience, in settings like client-centered advocacy, consultation, evaluation, research and workshops.
4. Apply for licensure.
You’ll need to pass a criminal background check, take and pass the California Law & Ethics exam, and take and pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Clinical exam. There are also various fees to pay and applications to fill out throughout the licensure process.
If you want, you can pursue additional certifications and continued education once you’ve become a California social worker.
Learn more on how to become a social worker.
Degree Pathways to Become a Social Worker in CA
The two social work licenses offered in California require a Master of Social Work (MSW) from an accredited school. Learn more about MSW programs in California. There are several other types of MSW programs available:
- Online Master’s in Social Work (MSW): There are several online MSW programs available, with locations inside the state of California and across the country, that are accredited by the CSWE.
- Advanced Standing MSW Program: If you have already earned your Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree, you may be able to pursue an advanced standing MSW program which builds upon your BSW coursework to graduate in less time than pursuing a full MSW program.
- Online Clinical Social Work (LCSW) Program: While a clinical MSW program is not explicitly required to pursue a license as a LCSW in California, it may help when completing the required clinical exam for licensure.
- Online MSW with No GRE: Some universities offer admissions without requiring the GRE but may still have GPA and other requirements.
- Doctorate of Social Work (DSW): While a DSW program is not required for licensure as a social worker in California, it is available for social workers who wish to pursue advanced careers as an university instructor, administrator or director of social services.
Sponsored Online Social Work Programs
- Research-driven faculty dedicated to making an impact on social problems
- Prepares you to apply social work skills across practice settings
- Three certificates: Trauma Practice, Mental Health Practice or Practice with Groups and Families.
- Four program tracks: Advanced Standing, Accelerated, Full Time and Extended
- Join the #25 ranked Howard University School of Social Work1
- Four program tracks: Advanced Standing, Accelerated, Full Time and Extended
- Offered by USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, top-ranked graduate school by U.S. News & World Report (2019).1
- Features field education in or near students’ own communities.
- Four areas of focus: Individuals and Families, Organizations and Community, Evaluation, and Policy Practice and Advocacy
- Traditional and Advanced Standing tracks
- Concentrate your degree in integrated practice or clinical practice
- CWRU’s Mandel School is a top-10 ranked graduate school of social work (2019).1
- Three paths of study are available to prepare social work leaders to work in clinical or community practice.
- Ethically integrates faith and social work practice
- Specialize in clinical practice or community practice
Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW) in California
Before becoming an LCSW in California, you must be registered as an ACSW.
- Education Requirement: Master’s degree in social work from an accredited school of social work and required coursework
- Field Requirement: None
- Exams: California Law & Ethics Exam
- Fees: $75 application fee
- License Renewal: Registration may be renewed five times in a six-year time span.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California
To become an LCSW in California, social workers must meet certain requirements. These include:
- Education Requirement: Master’s degree in social work from an accredited school of social work, verified by electronic transcripts
- Field Requirements: 3,000 total supervised hours, over 104 weeks (minimum)
- Exams: California Law & Ethics Exam (if not applying as a ACSW), ASWB Clinical exam
- Fees: $100 application fee
- License Renewal: Every two years
Learn more about how to become an LCSW.
Social Work Salaries for California
The average social worker salary in California depends on your role and work environment.
| Social Work Careers | Number of Social Workers in California | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Child, family and school Social Workers | 38,750 | $58,540 |
| Health care social workers | 17,140 | $83,800 |
| Mental health and substance abuse social workers | 16,920 | $73,150 |
| Social workers, all other | 13,940 | $73,620 |
Information on the above social work salaries in California was retrieved from Bureau of Labor Statistics – State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates California as of April 2021.
Learn more about different social work salaries.
California Social Work Scholarships
There are social work scholarships in California and grants available to aspiring social work students to cover school costs, such as tuition and supplies. Be sure to check with your preferred university for other financial aid options available. Some California scholarships we have found for social workers include:
- California State University at Chico – MSW Scholarships
- California State University at Northridge – Funding Social Work Education
- NASW-California Financial Aid Options
- San Diego State University Scholarships
California Social Work Organizations
Social work organizations in California give students the ability to connect with other social work students, network with social workers and get more involved in the local social work community. The following are some California social work organizations:
- California Association of School Social Workers (CASSW): CASSW has a volunteer board of professional school social workers that promotes and supports school social workers in districts, state and national legislative bodies, advocacy groups and the larger community.
- California Society for Clinical Social Work (CSCSW): For licensed clinical social workers, the CSCSW advocates and promotes the practice of clinical social work through education, legislative advocacy, networking opportunities and more.
- National Association of Social Workers California Chapter (NASWCA): The California chapter of the NASW is actually divided into nine additional geographic regions, covering the whole state. Each region provides support to social workers in the form of networking opportunities, continuing education options, conferences and more.
- Network for Social Work Management San Diego Chapter: This organization promotes and supports the growth of managers and administrators in social work.There is a San Diego chapter that helps represent the west coast with Arizona.
Sponsored Online Social Work Programs
- Research-driven faculty dedicated to making an impact on social problems
- Prepares you to apply social work skills across practice settings
- Three certificates: Trauma Practice, Mental Health Practice or Practice with Groups and Families.
- Four program tracks: Advanced Standing, Accelerated, Full Time and Extended
- Join the #25 ranked Howard University School of Social Work1
- Four program tracks: Advanced Standing, Accelerated, Full Time and Extended
- Offered by USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, top-ranked graduate school by U.S. News & World Report (2019).1
- Features field education in or near students’ own communities.
- Four areas of focus: Individuals and Families, Organizations and Community, Evaluation, and Policy Practice and Advocacy
- Traditional and Advanced Standing tracks
- Concentrate your degree in integrated practice or clinical practice
- CWRU’s Mandel School is a top-10 ranked graduate school of social work (2019).1
- Three paths of study are available to prepare social work leaders to work in clinical or community practice.
- Ethically integrates faith and social work practice
- Specialize in clinical practice or community practice
FAQs
Does California have social work reciprocity?
No, there is no social work license reciprocity in California or endorsement licensure. Social workers who have a current out-of-state license must submit a California LCSW application, pass the California Law and Ethics Examination, have an MSW that is accredited by the CSWE and complete California-specific coursework.
What are the social work continuing education (CE) requirements in California?
The social work CE requirements in California for LCSW (PDF, 235 KB) are 36 hours before each two-year renewal period, according to the BBS. Newly licensed individuals must complete only 18 hours of continued education before their first renewal. All licensees are required to complete at least six hours of CE in Law and Ethics for every renewal. LCSWs must also complete seven hours of CE in HIV/AIDS.
Learn more about continuing education for social workers.
What is the best way to look up my social work license in California?
You can search for your social work license verification in California by visiting the California Department of Consumer Affairs license search.
Information on this page was last retrieved in April 2021