Become a Social Worker in New Jersey
Table of Contents
- New Jersey Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
- New Jersey Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
- New Jersey Certified Social Worker (CSW)
- New Jersey 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 New Jersey, contact the New Jersey Social Work Licensing Board.
New Jersey law recognizes three classes of social worker: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and Certified Social Worker (CSW). 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.
New Jersey LCSW
New Jersey LCSW Education Requirement: A master’s degree in social work from a program currently accredited or in candidacy for accreditation by CSWE, or a doctorate in social work from an accredited institution for higher education, which includes 12 semester hours of graduate-level courses required in any of the following areas: human behavior and the social environment; diagnosis and assessment; models of psychotherapy or clinical practice; clinical supervision and consultation; and/or intervention with special populations
New Jersey LCSW Exam: Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Clinical Level Examination
Field Requirement: 1,920 supervised, post-master’s hours of face-to-face client contact within any three consecutive years
Fee: $260 ASWB examination fee, $75 application fee, $160 license fee, $17.50 background check fee
Additional Information: Supervisor’s certification authenticating the field experience, background check required
Endorsement: Available with board approval and payment of $75 fee
License Renewal: Renewal is required every two years. Requirements for renewal are the successful completion of 40 contact hours of continuing education and payment of a $160 renewal fee (pro-rated).
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New Jersey LSW (Licensed Social Worker)
New Jersey LSW Education Requirement: A master’s degree in social work from a program currently or in candidacy for accreditation by CSWE, or a doctorate in social work from an accredited institution for higher education
New Jersey LSW Exam: Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Master’s Level Examination
Field Requirement: None
Fee: $230 ASWB examination fee, $75 application fee. $120 license fee, $17.50 background check fee
Additional Information: Background check required
Endorsement: Available with board approval and payment of $75 fee
License Renewal: Renewal is required every two years. Requirements for renewal are the successful completion of 30 contact hours of continuing education and payment of a $120 renewal fee (pro-rated).
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New Jersey CSW (Certified Social Worker)
New Jersey CSW Education Requirement: A baccalaureate degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program
New Jersey CSW Exam: None
Field Requirement: None
Fee: $75 application fee, $70 license fee, $17.50 background check fee
Additional Information: Background check required
Endorsement: Available with board approval and payment of $75 fee
License Renewal: Renewal is required every two years. Requirements for renewal are the successful completion of 20 contact hours of continuing education and payment of a $70 renewal fee (pro-rated).
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In order to become a licensed social work practitioner in New Jersey, you will need to complete prerequisite coursework, examination requirements, and, in some cases, supervised work requirements. Also, certain levels of social work in New Jersey can only be reached after completing an on-campus or online master of social work program. We are committed to keeping updated information on New Jersey 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 08/31/2018.
New Jersey Social Work Salary
| New Jersey Social Work Career | Average Social Worker Salary |
|---|---|
| Child, Family and School Social Workers | $66,610 |
| Medical and Public Health Social Workers | $64,190 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $75,870 |
| All Other Social Workers | $69,300 |
| 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 New Jersey is subject to change. Please confirm salary information with your state before applying for licensure or renewal. Last updated: 8/22/2018.
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.