Known for its Lake Michigan coastline and Dunes National Park, Indiana is a state with beautiful scenery. It is also home to approximately 13,160 social workers as of May 2024 (data retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics in February 2026).

This guide for how to become a social worker in Indiana explains educational requirements, how to get licensed, social work organizations to join, and more. Once you complete the steps to become a social worker in Indiana, you can embark on a meaningful, fulfilling career helping others in the Hoosier State.

Information below was retrieved February 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.

Sponsored Online Social Work Programs

University of Denver

infoAD

Master of Social Work (MSW)

The University of Denver’s Online MSW Program is delivered by its top-ranked school of social work and offers two programs. Students can earn their degree in as few as 12 months for the Online Advanced-Standing MSW or 27 months for the Online MSW.

Request more info from the University of Denver.

Syracuse University

infoAD

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Syracuse University’s online Master of Social Work program does not require GRE scores to apply and is focused on preparing social workers who embrace technology as an important part of the future of the profession. Traditional and Advanced Standing tracks are available.

Request more info from Syracuse University.

Simmons University

infoAD

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Aspiring direct practitioners can earn their MSW online from Simmons University in as few as 9 months. GRE scores are not required, and the program offers full-time, part-time, accelerated, and advanced standing tracks.

Request more info from Simmons University.

Howard University

infoAD

Master of Social Work (MSW)

The online Master of Social Work program from Howard University School of Social Work prepares students for advanced direct or macro practice in culturally diverse communities. Two concentrations available: Direct Practice and Community, Administration, and Policy Practice. No GRE. Complete in as few as 12 months.

Request more info from Howard University.

Hawaii Pacific University

infoAD

Master of Social Work

The online Master of Social Work prepares aspiring social work leaders to develop a multicultural social work practice, advocate for social and economic justice, and empower diverse communities affected by systemic inequities within civilian and military-focused areas. 

Request more info from Hawaii Pacific University.

infoAD

Common Steps to Become a Indiana Social Worker

Before you can become a licensed social worker in Indiana, you’ll need the education level that matches your intended license. Indiana offers the Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW) for graduates with a BSW, and the Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) for professionals with an MSW (the LCSW also requires supervised post-degree experience). Applicants should also be prepared for steps such as submitting an application, completing a criminal background check, and meeting any supervision requirements tied to the license level. The steps below follow guidance from the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA) Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board.

1. Earn a CSWE-Accredited Social Work Degree

To become a licensed social worker in Indiana, you will have to complete a Council on Social Work Education-accredited BSW or Master of Social Work (MSW) degree program. You can pursue these degrees in Indiana through various formats, including full time, part time and online.

2. Pass the required ASWB exam (and complete supervised clinical experience if pursuing the LCSW)

Indiana has three levels of social workers, according to the state’s licensing board, with increasing requirements:

Licensed bachelor social worker (LBSW): A person with an accredited bachelor’s degree in social work who has passed the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) bachelor’s exam. LBSWs can provide basic non-clinical social-work services.

Licensed social worker (LSW): A person with an accredited master’s degree in social work who has passed the ASWB master’s exam. LSWs can provide social-work services under supervision.

Licensed clinical social worker (LCSW): Someone with an accredited master’s or doctorate in social work who has passed the ASWB clinical exam. Those pursuing this licensure are also required to complete at least two (2) years of supervised clinical social work experience after the graduate degree (often summarized as ~3,000 hours because Indiana defines full-time experience as 1,500 hours/year).

3. Get Licensed

Once you’ve completed your hours and experience requirements, you may apply to become a licensed social worker in Indiana.

Learn more on how to become a social worker.

Indiana has multiple CSWE-accredited BSW and MSW programs. A bachelor’s degree in social work can enable a student to enter an advanced standing program in an MSW program, where you may be able to complete an MSW in about 12-18 months. A BSW also prepares students for entry-level social work positions, and is the minimum requirement for licensure as an LBSW in Indiana. 

To become an LSW or LCSW, however, a minimum of an MSW degree is required. Some individuals further their education and experience in social work by pursuing Doctor of Social Work (DSW) degrees.

MSW programs in Indiana teach students advanced social work theories and practical knowledge. MSW programs may include coursework on topics such as human development, social work policy and intervention. The following are some of the CSWE-accredited MSW programs in Indiana:

There are multiple, fully-accredited online MSW programs in Indiana. The online MSW programs offer the same curriculum and coursework as traditional on-campus Indiana programs. While formats vary by school, online MSW tracks still follow CSWE-accredited standards and include required field education/internship experiences arranged in approved settings. 

Learn more about MSW Programs:

Indiana issues three social work licenses through the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA) Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board: Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW), Licensed Social Worker (LSW), and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). A BSW meets the education requirement for the LBSW license, while an MSW is required for the LSW and LCSW pathways. The LCSW is Indiana’s clinical credential and requires at least two (2) years of supervised clinical social work experience after earning a graduate degree in social work.

Becoming an LBSW allows you to provide bachelor’s-level, non-clinical (generalist) social work services. In Indiana, the supervision requirement is clearly stated for the LSW (must be supervised by an Indiana LCSW), so avoid implying that all LBSW practice is “under supervision” unless you’re citing a specific scope-of-practice rule.

Becoming an LSW allows you to practice master’s-level social work in Indiana. If you practice in Indiana with an LSW, you must be supervised by an Indiana LCSW; independent clinical practice is tied to the LCSW license.

Becoming an LCSW is Indiana’s clinical social work license and allows you to practice clinical social work independently after you meet the education, exam, and two-year supervised clinical experience requirements for licensure.

Information on the above social work salaries in Indiana was retrieved by the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: Indiana in February 2026.

If you’re pursuing a BSW or MSW in Indiana, funding is often available through school-based scholarships (offered by your university’s social work program), along with broader Indiana state financial aid and national social work scholarships.

Examples of Indiana university-based social work scholarships (Indiana University School of Social Work):

IU also maintains a central page explaining how its social work scholarships work and when students are notified to apply.

Other places Indiana students should check:

There are countless local and national associations and organizations with goals to 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 the disadvantaged populations in Indiana and beyond.

Yes. Indiana offers licensure by reciprocity for LBSW, LSW, and LCSW applicants who hold a valid social work license in another state or jurisdiction and meet Indiana’s requirements. Under Indiana law, the board may issue a reciprocal license when the applicant has a valid out-of-state license, has passed an exam substantially equivalent to the Indiana license level sought, has no pending disciplinary proceeding, and submits the required application and fee; in practice, applicants typically provide license verification from their current state and arrange for official ASWB score transfer when applicable.

Indiana social work licenses are renewed every two years, and licensees must complete 40 continuing education units (CEUs) per renewal cycle (20 per year). At least 50% of your CEUs must be Category I (formal programs such as courses, workshops, or seminars) and no more than 50% may be Category II (such as conferences, professional reading, or similar activities), and you must complete at least 1 Category I CEU each year focused on ethics and professional conduct (including boundary issues). One place to find Indiana-relevant Category I/II opportunities and licensure guidance is the NASW Indiana Chapter. 

Search for your social work license through the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA) Free Search & Verify license lookup tool. You can search by name or license number to find your license record, including your license number, current status, expiration/renewal information, and other public license details. 

Information last updated in January 2026.