Start your social work career with world-class barbecue, wide-open prairie at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, and a statewide community of more than 8,000 licensed social workers. The Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB) reported 8,288 permanent social work licenses as of January 23, 2024. Across the U.S., demand for social workers is expected to remain strong: the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6% employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (faster than average), with about 74,000 openings per year on average. 

This guide for how to become a social worker in Kansas 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 Kansas, you can embark on a meaningful, fulfilling career helping others in the Sunflower State.

Information below was retrieved in January 2026 and is only meant to be a high-level overview. Requirements may change; always check with the state licensing board for the most current information.

Sponsored Online Social Work Programs

University of Denver

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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.

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Syracuse University

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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.

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Simmons University

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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.

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Howard University

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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.

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Hawaii Pacific University

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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. 

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Common Steps to Become a Kansas Social Worker

Before becoming a social worker in Kansas, you must earn a bachelor’s degree in social work and a social work license, depending on what career path you choose. Kansas offers three types of social work licenses. There may also be additional requirements such as a background check and clinical supervision, based on your goals. Below are the steps on how to obtain social work licenses in Kansas, summarized from the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board.

1. Earn a CSWE-accredited social work degree

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

2. Fulfill your social work supervised experience requirement and pass your national/state exams

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

Licensed Baccalaureate 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. 

Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW): A person with an accredited master’s degree in social work who has passed the ASWB master’s exam.

Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker (LSCSW): A person with an accredited master’s (or doctoral) degree in social work who has passed the ASWB Clinical exam and completed 3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised clinical work experience in a clinical setting (completed over at least 24 months).

3. Get licensed

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

Learn more on how to become a social worker.

Social work degree programs in the United States are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). In Kansas, CSWE has multiple accredited bachelor’s and master’s social work degree 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 about one year. A BSW also prepares students for entry-level social work positions. There are multiple universities offering accredited BSW programs in Kansas:

In Kansas, the advanced licenses (LMSW and LSCSW) require a master’s degree in social work (or higher) from a CSWE-accredited program.

Kansas has multiple CSWE-accredited MSW programs. To confirm the most current list and each program’s accreditation status, check CSWE’s Directory of Accredited Programs.

Kansas offers multiple CSWE-accredited MSW programs delivered online. The University of Kansas and Newman University both offer fully online MSW programs, and Fort Hays State University’s MSW is delivered online with a short in-person clinical intensive component. Washburn University also offers a hybrid on-campus/online MSW format.

Kansas has three types of licenses for social workers: licensed baccalaureate social worker (LBSW), licensed master social worker (LMSW) and licensed specialist clinical social worker (LSCSW). To qualify for Kansas’s advanced social work licenses (LMSW and LSCSW), you generally need a master’s degree in social work (or a doctoral degree in social work) from a CSWE-accredited program. All information on LBSW, LMSW and LSCSW below was retrieved from the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board.

Becoming an LBSW allows you to practice general, non-clinical social work. If you do not hold a clinical/independent license and you are providing psychotherapy or otherwise practicing in a role that requires supervision/direction, the BSRB expects you to practice under appropriate direction/supervision (the renewal materials ask you to list the person providing that supervision/direction).

Becoming an LMSW allows you to practice master’s-level social work. LMSWs may provide clinical services with appropriate supervision, but Kansas limits private, independent clinical practice to LSCSWs (or specialist social workers).

Becoming an LSCSW allows you to provide clients clinical services independently after licensure in Kansas.

Information on the above social work salaries in Kansas was retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates: Kansas in January 2026

If you’re starting your path toward social work licensure in Kansas, you may be able to reduce education costs through a mix of school-based scholarships, state scholarship programs, and (after you’re licensed and working) loan repayment programs. Availability, eligibility, and deadlines can change year to year, always confirm details directly with the sponsoring organization. 

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 Kansas and beyond.

Kansas does not have reciprocity with any specific state, but it does offer licensure through reciprocity for social workers who are currently licensed in another state and meet Kansas requirements. Applicants generally need to hold an active, equivalent out-of-state license, meet Kansas education requirements for the comparable license level, and provide official ASWB exam scores (or qualifying exam history) as required by the BSRB. You must also submit the appropriate reciprocity application packet and pay the required fees (including the BSRB application fee and, once approved, the original license fee). 

Kansas allows out-of-state licensure. Applicants must have an equivalent social work license in another state, meet the educational prerequisites for the equivalent Kansas Social Work license, provide their official ASWB exam scores and pay a fee on the State’s Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board site (PDF, 433 KB).

Kansas social work licenses renew on a 24-month (two-year) cycle. To renew, social workers must complete 40 hours of continuing education during the renewal period, including at least 3 hours in professional ethics. LMSWs and LSCSWs must also complete continuing education related to diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders—at least 3 hours per renewal cycle on and after July 1, 2025 (LBSWs are exempt from this requirement). In addition, a one-time requirement applies at first-time renewal (at any license level): at least 6 hours of social work safety awareness training, which counts within the 40 hours (and does not need to be repeated if already completed for a prior Kansas social work license level).

How to renew: You can renew through the Kansas online licensing portal, or use the BSRB social work renewal packet/forms and pay the required renewal fee.

Search for your social work license at the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board site search. The site’s options will allow you to search your name and find your license number, license status and details surrounding your professional information.

Information last updated: January 2026