Become a Social Worker in Montana

Montana employs social workers across a range of practice settings, including schools, community agencies, hospitals, behavioral health organizations, and government programs.

In Montana, the path to becoming a social worker depends on the level of practice you’re pursuing. The Montana Board of Behavioral Health licenses several social work credentials, including Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW), Licensed Master’s Social Worker (LMSW), and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) (along with candidate licenses). If your goal is clinical social work (LCSW), Montana requires a master’s (or doctoral) degree in social work from an approved program, supervised clinical experience, and an approved exam.

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 MSW Programs

University of Denver

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Master of Social Work (MSW)

The University of Denver’s online Master of Social Work program is CSWE-accredited and allowing students to customize their own MSW Pathways. GRE scores are not required.

  • Complete the online MSW program in as few as 12 months if you have a BSW; if you do not have a BSW, the program may be completed in as few as 21 months.
  • GRE scores are not required to apply.
  • Customize your own Pathway to your interests.

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.

  • Traditional and Advanced Standing tracks
  • No GRE required
  • Concentrate your degree in integrated practice or clinical practice

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.

  • Prepares students to pursue licensure, including LCSW 
  • Accredited by the CSWE
  • No GRE scores required for admission
  • Minimum completion time: 9 months

Howard University

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Master of Social Work (MSW)

Earn your Master of Social Work (MSW) from the #2-ranked HBCU (U.S. News & World Report, 2025) and the #12- ranked social work school (U.S. News & World Report, 2024). The Howard University School of Social Work offers an online MSW for aspiring advanced-practice social workers. Attend live, online classes and complete field education in your community. No GRE required.

  • Traditional MSW (60 credits): Complete part-time in as few as 36 months. Complete full-time in as few as 16 months.
  • Advanced Standing MSW (45 credits): Complete part-time in as few as 24 months. Complete full-time in as few as 12 months.
  • 777–1,000 field education hours.
  • Two start dates (January and September).

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.

  • Learn how to develop a multicultural social work practice.  
  • Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
  • Complete in 18 months full time, or in 36 months part time on the traditional track.
  • Complete in 12 months full time or 24 months part time on the Advanced Standing Track. 

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Common Steps to Become a Montana Social Worker

Before becoming a social worker in Montana, you must earn the required social work degree for the license you’re pursuing and obtain a license through the Montana Board of Behavioral Health. Montana offers multiple social work license types, including the Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW), Licensed Master’s Social Worker (LMSW), and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), as well as candidate licenses. Additional requirements vary by license type and scope of practice and may include supervised experience for clinical licensure and other documentation required by the Board. 

1. Earn a CSWE-Accredited Social Work Degree

To become a licensed social worker in Montana, you must earn a degree that matches the license you’re pursuing. Montana licenses social workers at multiple levels (including baccalaureate, master’s, and clinical), and CSWE accreditation is required for the social work degree used to qualify for licensure. 

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

Montana offers multiple social work licenses, including Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW), Licensed Master’s Social Worker (LMSW), and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) (as well as candidate licenses).

Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW): An LBSW is Montana’s entry-level social work license for professionals with a BSW (typically CSWE-accredited). LBSWs generally provide generalist, non-clinical services such as case management, client advocacy, resource coordination, and support with social-service navigation in settings like community agencies, schools, and public programs. Clinical psychotherapy/treatment is reserved for clinical licensure (LCSW), not the baccalaureate level. 

Licensed Master’s Social Worker (LMSW): An LMSW is a master’s-level (MSW) social work license for professionals practicing advanced, non-clinical social work. LMSWs often take on more complex casework and systems-focused roles—such as program coordination, policy/program implementation, supervision in some agency contexts, and advanced assessments and service planning—while clinical psychotherapy/treatment, as a licensed clinical service, is within the LCSW scope. 

Licensed Clinical Social worker (LCSW): Licensure requirements depend on the license level. Montana requires the corresponding ASWB exam (Bachelor’s for LBSW, Master’s for LMSW, Clinical for LCSW) and a supervised post-degree work experience requirement that varies by license (for example, LBSW: 2,000 hours over at least 18 months; LCSW: 3,000 hours 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 Montana. 

Learn more about how to become a social worker.

Social Work Degree Programs in Montana

Social work degree programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) throughout the United States. In Montana, students can find CSWE-accredited social work education at both the bachelor’s and master’s levels. Montana has two CSWE-accredited BSW programs (Salish Kootenai College and the University of Montana), and the University of Montana offers the state’s in-state CSWE-accredited MSW option, including an Advanced Standing pathway.

A CSWE-accredited BSW can qualify eligible students for Advanced Standing MSW programs, which may allow them to complete the MSW in about one year. There are two universities offering accredited BSW programs in Montana:

In Montana, the minimum degree required for licensure varies by license level. For example, LBSW licensure requires at least a baccalaureate degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited (or candidacy-status) program, while clinical licensure (LCSW) requires at least a master’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited (or candidacy-status) program.

Master of Social Work (MSW) Programs in Montana

MSW programs in Montana 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. Montana currently has one in-state CSWE-accredited MSW program: the University of Montana School of Social Work. 

Online MSW Programs in Montana

Montana currently has one in-state CSWE-accredited MSW program, the University of Montana, and it offers an online MSW option for students who need more flexibility. Students in Montana can also consider online MSW programs offered by CSWE-accredited schools in other states, especially if they’re looking for additional specialization options or a different schedule.

Learn more about advanced standing online Master of Social Work programs, online MSW programs for aspiring clinical social workers, and online master’s in social work programs.

Social Work Licenses in Montana

In Montana, social work licenses are issued by the Montana Board of Behavioral Health. The Board offers multiple social work license types, including Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW), Licensed Master’s Social Worker (LMSW), and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), as well as candidate credentials for applicants completing supervised experience toward full licensure.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Montana

  • Education Requirement: Master of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited program
  • Field Requirements: 3,000 hours of supervised professional experience over a minimum of 24 months
  • Exams: ASWB Clinical exam
  • License Renewal: Every year, with 20 hours of continuing education, with 2 hours in suicide prevention for the first renewal and every two years thereafter

Learn more about online clinical MSW programs.

Social Work Salaries for Montana

Montana Social Work CareersNumber of Social Workers in MontanaAnnual Mean Social Work Salary
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
1,250
$52,930
Healthcare Social Workers
650
$60,720
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
630
$50,890
Social Workers, All Other
490
$57,930

Information on the above social work salaries in Montana was retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates – Montana in February 2026.

Learn more about social work salaries.

Montana Social Work Scholarships

For those just starting on their path to social work, there are statewide scholarships and programs to assist you. Below are several scholarship opportunities that may help Montana students pay for social work education, especially those enrolled in an MSW program (a required step for clinical licensure).

Learn more about social work scholarships.

Montana Social Work Organizations

Social workers in Montana can connect with a variety of state and national organizations that support the profession through continuing education, advocacy, professional standards, and networking.

Montana Social Work FAQs

Does Montana have social work reciprocity?

Montana does not offer automatic social work “reciprocity” that guarantees a license just for holding one in another state. However, Montana allows licensure by endorsement for applicants who hold an active, in-good-standing license in another jurisdiction and meet Montana’s requirements (including substantially equivalent qualifications).  

What are the social work continuing education (CE) requirements in Montana?

Montana Board of Behavioral Health licensees (including LCSW, LMSW, and LBSW) must complete 20 hours of continuing education (CE) each year prior to renewal. As part of the annual total, licensees must complete at least 2 hours of suicide prevention training for their first renewal and every 2 years thereafter. 

Learn more about continuing education for social workers.

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

The best way to look up (verify) a social work license in Montana is to use the Montana Board of Behavioral Health “Look Up a License” / Licensee Lookup System. You can search by a licensee’s name and/or license number, and filter by license type to find license status and public credential information. 

Information last updated February 2026.