Become a Social Worker in Louisiana

Get started on a career in social work alongside the bayous of Atchafalaya National Wildlife Reserve, the jazz of the French Quarter and a statewide network of 4,370 social workers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and as of May 2024.

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

Social Work Degree Programs in Louisiana

Louisiana has multiple CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) programs; you can confirm the current list at the CSWE directory of accredited programs. A bachelor’s degree in social work allows a student to enter an advanced standing MSW program, which can be completed in around one year. A BSW also prepares students for entry-level social work roles and can meet the education requirement for Louisiana’s Registered Social Worker (RSW) designation.” Schools in Louisiana with social work programs (as reflected in ASWB’s school code list) include:

• Grambling State University
• Louisiana Christian University
• Louisiana State University
• Southern University at New Orleans
• Northwestern State University of Louisiana
• Southern University and A&M College
• Tulane University
• University of Louisiana at Monroe
• Southeastern Louisiana University

In Louisiana, a BSW may meet the education requirement for the Registered Social Worker (RSW) designation, but an MSW is required for higher levels of social work licensure, including clinical practice. Some professionals also pursue a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) to deepen advanced practice or leadership expertise.

Social Work Licenses in Louisiana

Louisiana recognizes four primary social work credentials through the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners (LABSWE): Registered Social Worker (RSW), Certified Social Worker (CSW), Licensed Master’s Social Worker (LMSW), and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). A BSW may meet the education requirement for RSW registration, but an MSW (or doctoral social work degree) is required for Louisiana’s advanced credentials, including LMSW and LCSW. All information on RSW, CSW, LMSW, and LCSW below is based on guidance and requirements published by the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners (LABSWE) and Louisiana’s Social Work Practice Act.

Registered Social Worker (RSW) in Louisiana

An RSW may engage in generalist social work practice as an employee in an agency and may not engage in advanced practice or clinical social work.

• Education Requirement: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from an accredited social work program (CSWE-accredited in practice).
• Field Requirements: None
• Exams: None
• License Renewal (CE): 20 clock hours of board-approved continuing education prior to each renewal, including 3 ethics hours every two years. Distance learning cannot exceed 10 of the 20 required hours.

Organizations designated as pre-approval bodies are authorized for three (3) years from the date LABSWE approves the application; after that, the organization must reapply to maintain the designation.

Certified Social Worker (CSW) in Louisiana

A Certified Social Worker (CSW) is a temporary MSW-level credential that allows an MSW graduate to work within the LMSW scope of practice for up to three years while pursuing full licensure.

• Education Requirement: Master of Social Work (MSW) graduate (from an accredited social work program).
• Field Requirements: None to obtain the CSW credential itself; however, a CSW may work only as an employee in an agency setting.
• Exams: None for the CSW credential.
• License Renewal (CE): CSWs renew annually and must complete 20 clock hours of continuing education each renewal cycle; distance learning is capped at 10 of the required 20 hours.

Credentials lapse on August 31 if not renewed, and can be cancelled if not renewed by February 28.

Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in Louisiana

Becoming an LMSW allows you to practice master’s-level social work as an employee in an agency setting and to perform clinical social work and psychotherapy within an agency under LCSW supervision.

• Education Requirement: Master of Social Work degree
• Field Requirements: None
• Exams: ASWB master’s exam
• License Renewal (CE): 20 clock hours of board-approved continuing education prior to renewal, including 3 hours of ethics every two years; distance learning cannot exceed 10 of the 20 hours.

Organizations approved to pre-approve continuing education are authorized for three (3) years; after three years, the organization must reapply to maintain the designation.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Louisiana

Independently practices clinical social work, including prevention, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment (including psychotherapy). LCSWs may work as employees in a practice setting or independently in private practice

• Education Requirement: Master or Doctorate of Social Work degree
• Field Requirements: 5,760 hours of postgraduate social work and 3,840 hours of supervised postgraduate social work under a Board-Approved Clinical Supervisor (BACS).
• Exams: ASWB clinical exam
• License Renewal (CE): 20 clock hours of board-approved CE prior to each renewal, including 3 ethics hours every two years; for LCSW renewal, at least 10 hours each year must be clinical content (including diagnosis and treatment).

Social Work Salaries in Louisiana

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

Louisiana Social Work Scholarships

If you’re starting your path toward becoming an RSW, CSW, LMSW, or LCSW in Louisiana, funding often comes from three main sources: state-administered scholarships/grants, school-specific MSW/BSW scholarships, and national scholarships for social work students.

Statewide scholarships and grants:

• Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) administers multiple scholarship and grant programs that may apply to eligible Louisiana residents (primarily undergraduate, with additional guidance for graduate students).

University-based scholarships:

• Pincus Violence Prevention Scholarship (Tulane University): An interdisciplinary, two-year scholarship program tied to Tulane’s Violence Prevention Institute and community partners, supporting graduate-level training in community-focused violence prevention in New Orleans.
• Medical Social Work Scholarship (LSU School of Social Work): A scholarship opportunity for LSU graduate social work students who are interested in pursuing a career in medical social work (award varies).

National scholarships open to Louisiana students:

• NASW Foundation Scholarships, Fellowships & Awards: National funding opportunities for social work students and professionals (eligibility varies by program).

Louisiana Social Work Organizations

Louisiana social workers can connect with state and national professional associations that offer continuing education, advocacy, networking, and career support across practice areas. Better social work means better solutions for welfare, child welfare, elderly welfare, healthcare reform and other issues affecting the disadvantaged populations in Louisiana and beyond.

• National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Louisiana Chapter: NASW Louisiana supports social workers and students through continuing education, advocacy, and a statewide professional network that strengthens the profession and advances social justice.
• Louisiana Association of Clinical Social Workers: LACSW is a voluntary association whose mission is to define, represent, promote, and protect clinical social work as a knowledge-based, client-centered profession.
• National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW), Louisiana Chapters: Louisiana has multiple NABSW local and student chapters, including the New Orleans and North Louisiana Regional chapters. The organization was built by people of African ancestry committed to enhancing the quality of life and empowering people of African ancestry through advocacy, human services delivery and research.

Louisiana Social Work FAQ

Does Louisiana offer social work license reciprocity?

Louisiana can grant social work credentials to out-of-state applicants by reciprocity or by endorsement, depending on whether the other jurisdiction’s requirements are substantially equivalent and whether the Board has an approved reciprocity arrangement. Applicants must also pass an open-book exam on the Louisiana Social Work Practice Act as part of reciprocity/endorsement.

What are the social work continuing education requirements in Louisiana?

Louisiana social workers renew their credentials annually (by August 31) and must complete 20 clock hours of board-approved continuing education and pay the required fee prior to renewal. Licensees must complete 3 clock hours of social work ethics every 2 years, and LCSWs must include 10 hours of clinical content (including diagnosis and treatment) in their 20-hour total each year. If you provide or receive telesupervision, LABSWE also requires a one-time 1.5-hour telesupervision CE (effective Oct. 20, 2025), and Louisiana limits asynchronous virtual learning to 10 hours per collection period. For current options, explore LABSWE’s approved continuing education courses.

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

Search for your Louisiana social work license using the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners (LABSWE) Search for a Professional tool. You can search by name (and other filters like license number, city, or profession) to find your license number, status, and other public license details.