Become a Social Worker in Maine
Table of Contents
- Maine Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
- Maine Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
- Maine Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
- Maine Social Work Salary
- Maine Social Work Scholarships
Disclaimer: Due to the rapidly changing nature of social work regulations, for the most up-to-date information on becoming a social worker in Maine, contact the Maine Social Work Licensing Board.
Maine law recognizes three classes of social workers: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and Licensed Social Worker (LSW). The requirements are as follows:
Sponsored Online Social Work Programs
- Join the #16 ranked Howard University School of Social Work1
- Four program tracks: Advanced Standing, Accelerated, Full Time and Extended
- Research-driven faculty dedicated to making an impact on social problems
- Prepares you to apply social work skills across practice settings
- Four areas of focus: Individuals and Families, Organizations and Community, Evaluation, and Policy Practice and Advocacy
- Three certificates: Trauma Practice, Mental Health Practice or Practice with Groups and Families.
- Four program tracks: Advanced Standing, Accelerated, Full Time and Extended
- Three academic departments: Adult Mental Health and Wellness; Children, Youth – and Families; and Social Change and Innovation
- Features field education in or near students’ own communities.
- Traditional and Advanced Standing tracks
- Concentrate your degree in integrated practice or clinical practice
- Ethically integrates faith and social work practice
- Specialize in clinical practice or community 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.
Maine LCSW
Maine LCSW Education Requirement: Master of Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program
Maine LCSW Exam: Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Clinical Level Examination
Field Requirement: Two years of social work experience involving at least 3,200 hours with 96 hours of consultation in a clinical setting if the MSW has a clinical concentration; four years (6,400 hours) of social work experience with 192 hours of consultation in a clinical setting if the MSW does not have a clinical concentration
Fee: $25 application fee, $70 license fee, $21 background check fee, $260 ASWB examination fee
Additional Information: Three current (within the past year) letters of professional recommendation are required for application. The first must be from the applicant’s consultant; the second recommendation must be from an LCSW, a CSW-IP, or a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW); and the third recommendation may be from an LCSW, an LMSW, a CSW-IP, a board-certified psychiatrist, a licensed clinical psychologist, a licensed clinical professional counselor or an American Nurses Association-approved psychiatric nurse; or by a similarly-credentialed professional from any state or country.
Endorsement: Available upon board approval
License Renewal: Renewal is required every two years. Requirements for renewal are the successful completion of 25 contact hours of continuing education, including 4 hours of ethics and payment of a $70 renewal fee.
Maine LMSW
Maine LMSW Education Requirement: Master of Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program
Maine LMSW Exam: Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Master’s Level Examination
Field Requirement: None
Fee: $25 application fee, $70 license fee, $21 background check fee, $230 ASWB examination fee
Additional Information: Three current (within the past year) letters of professional recommendation are required for application, two of which must be from licensed social workers at any level of licensure from any state.
Endorsement: Available upon board approval
License Renewal: Renewal is required every two years. Requirements for renewal are the successful completion of 25 contact hours of continuing education, including 4 hours of ethics and payment of a $70 renewal fee.
Maine LSW (Licensed Social Worker)
Maine LSW Education Requirement: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a CSWE-accredited program
Maine LSW Exam: Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Bachelor’s Level Exam
Field Requirement: None
Fee: $25 application fee, $70 license fee, $21 background check fee, $230 ASWB examination fee
Additional Information: Three current (within the past year) letters of professional recommendation are required for application, two of which must be from licensed social workers at any level of licensure from any state.
Endorsement: Available upon board approval
License Renewal: Renewal is required every two years. Requirements for renewal are the successful completion of 25 contact hours of continuing education and payment of a $70 renewal fee.
In order to become a licensed social work practitioner in Maine, you will need to complete prerequisite coursework, examination requirements, and, in some cases, supervised work requirements. Also, certain levels of social work in Maine can only be reached after completing an on-campus or online MSW program. We are committed to keeping updated information on Maine 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. Last updated: 08/30/2018.
Maine Social Work Salary
| Maine Social Work Career | Average Social Worker Salary |
|---|---|
| Child, Family and School Social Workers | $51,810 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $50,530 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $59,680 |
| All Other Social Workers | $52,700 |
| 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 Maine is subject to change. Please confirm salary information with your state before applying for licensure or renewal. Last updated: 8/22/2018.
Maine Social Work Scholarships
State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)
Type: Loan Repayment
Amount: Varies
Description: The SLRP will pay directly to the provider for any documented, valid and outstanding Undergraduate and/or graduate loans that have been incurred in obtaining the specific health professional degree, at the rate of $12,500.00 per year of service.
Additional scholarship information is available on the national page of social work scholarships.
Sponsored Online Social Work Programs
- Join the #16 ranked Howard University School of Social Work1
- Four program tracks: Advanced Standing, Accelerated, Full Time and Extended
- Research-driven faculty dedicated to making an impact on social problems
- Prepares you to apply social work skills across practice settings
- Four areas of focus: Individuals and Families, Organizations and Community, Evaluation, and Policy Practice and Advocacy
- Three certificates: Trauma Practice, Mental Health Practice or Practice with Groups and Families.
- Four program tracks: Advanced Standing, Accelerated, Full Time and Extended
- Three academic departments: Adult Mental Health and Wellness; Children, Youth – and Families; and Social Change and Innovation
- Features field education in or near students’ own communities.
- Traditional and Advanced Standing tracks
- Concentrate your degree in integrated practice or clinical practice
- Ethically integrates faith and social work practice
- Specialize in clinical practice or community 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.
Licensure information including requirements, renewals, and fees were retrieved as of August 2018. Information may have changed since, check with the state’s board of licensing for more information.