Become a Social Worker in Indiana

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Indiana Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Indiana Licensed Master Social Worker (LSW)
Indiana Social Work Salary

Disclaimer: Due to the rapidly changing nature of social work regulations, for the most up-to-date information on becoming a social worker in Indiana, contact the Indiana Social Work Licensing Board.

Indiana law recognizes two classes of social workers: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Social Worker (LSW). The requirements are as follows:

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Indiana LCSW

Indiana LCSW Education Requirement: Master of Social Work (MSW) or Doctor of Social Work (DSW) from a CSWE-accredited or approved institution of higher education (MSW must be clinically-oriented)

Indiana LCSW Exam: Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Clinical Level Examination

Field Requirement: Applicants must submit proof of two years experience in the practice of clinical social work in counseling of clients in a clinical setting, as well as proof of at least four hours per month of face-to-face supervision. Both years must have been obtained after applicants obtain the MSW. The experience must be post-baccalaureate, paid, full-time and supervised to qualify as experience. The board may consider part-time experience. (NOTE: 1,500 hours equals one year of experience.) Under no circumstance can this experience requirement be met in less than 12 months. At least 50 percent of the time must have involved providing services directly to clients.

Fee: $50 application fee, $260 ASWB examination fee

Additional Information: A social work license (LSW) is required before you can begin getting your supervised experience that is required for licensure as a clinical social worker.

Endorsement: Available through board approval to applicants licensed or certified at an equivalent level in another state

License Renewal: Renewal is required every two years. Requirements for renewal are the successful completion of 20 contact hours of continuing education with 2 hours of ethics continuing education per licensure year (40 hours total) and payment of a $50 renewal fee.

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Indiana LSW (Licensed Social Worker)

Indiana LSW Education Requirement: Baccalaureate degree in social work (BSW) from an institution of higher education that has been accredited or approved for candidacy by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

Indiana LSW Exam: Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Master’s Level Examination

Field Requirement: BSW applicants must submit proof of two years experience in the practice of clinical social work in the counseling of clients in a clinical setting, as well as proof of at least four hours per month of face-to-face supervision. The experience must be post-baccalaureate, paid, full-time and supervised to qualify as experience. The board may consider part-time experience if the applicant can verify completion of at least 3,000 hours of post-baccalaureate degree experience. (NOTE: 1,500 hours equals one year of experience.) Under no circumstance can this experience requirement be met in less than 12 24 months. At least 50 percent of the time must have involved providing services directly to clients.

Fee: $50 application fee, $230 ASWB examination fee

Additional Information: None

Endorsement: Available through board approval

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In order to become a licensed social work practitioner in Indiana, you will need to complete prerequisite coursework, examination requirements, and, in some cases, supervised work requirements. Also, certain levels of social work in Indiana can only be reached after earning a Master of Social Work. We are committed to keeping updated information on Indiana 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.

Indiana Social Work Salary

Indiana Social Work Salary
Indiana Social Work Career	Average Social Worker Salary
Child, Family and School Social Workers	$39,560
Medical and Public Health Social Workers	$50,000
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers	$40,560
All Other Social Workers	$61,540
Salary Increase from BSW to MSW	+$9,000

Disclaimer: Social Worker Salary information is taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Information about social worker salaries in Indiana is subject to change. Please confirm salary information with your state before applying for licensure or renewal. Last updated: 08/27/2018.