The decision to become a social worker in North Dakota can be financially rewarding and personally gratifying. Social workers in North Dakota have the privilege of earning a living while making a difference, connecting clients with resources to help them overcome challenges such as poverty. With such an important role to play in society, it’s no wonder there are already more than 1,400 social workers in North Dakota, according to May 2024 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Below, we review the steps to become a North Dakota social worker, Master of Social Work degree programs in North Dakota, social work licenses in North Dakota and more.

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 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.

Request more info from the University of Denver.

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.

Request more info from Syracuse University.

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.

Request more info from Howard University.

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 North Dakota Social Worker

Before becoming a social worker in North Dakota, you’ll need a social work degree and a state license that matches the type of work you want to do. North Dakota offers licensure at multiple levels, starting with a baccalaureate-level license (LBSW) for generalist practice and advancing to master’s/doctoral-level licensure (LMSW) and independent clinical licensure (LCSW/LICSW) for those pursuing clinical practice. Depending on your license level and goals, additional requirements may include passing the appropriate ASWB exam and, for independent clinical practice, completing supervised clinical experience.  

1. Earn a CSWE-Accredited Social Work Degree

To become a licensed social worker in North Dakota, you will have to complete at least a bachelor’s degree program in social work accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE). (LMSW and LCSW applicants must complete a CSWE-accredited master’s degree or doctoral degree program in social work.) You can pursue these degrees in North Dakota full-time, part-time, or online.

2. Pass the ASWB Exam (and Complete Supervised Clinical Experience if Pursuing Clinical Licensure)

North Dakota has three levels of licensed social workers, according to the state’s licensing board, with increasing exam requirements:

Licensed baccalaureate social worker (LBSW): 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): person with an accredited master’s degree in social work who has passed the ASWB master’s exam.

Licensed clinical social worker (LCSW): person with an accredited master’s or doctoral degree in social work who has passed the ASWB clinical exam. Those pursuing this license must also complete at least 3,000 hours of supervised clinical social work practice, including a minimum of 150 hours of face-to-face clinical supervision with a supervisor approved by the board. Not more than 50 hours of supervision may be group supervision.

3. Get Licensed

Once you’ve met the education and exam requirements (and, if pursuing LCSW, completed the required supervised clinical hours), you may apply for licensure through the North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners. New applicants must also complete required background checks, including state and nationwide criminal history checks and a child abuse/neglect background inquiry.

Learn more on how to become a social worker.

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is the primary accrediting body for social work education in the United States, and students can confirm a program’s status using the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs.

A bachelor’s degree in social work can qualify graduates for advanced standing MSW options, which may allow them to complete the MSW in fewer credits than a traditional pathway (program length varies by school). North Dakota has multiple social work bachelor’s programs; students should confirm current CSWE accreditation/candidacy status using the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs. 

MSW programs build advanced social work knowledge and skills through graduate coursework and supervised field education. Common topics include human behavior and development, social welfare policy, research methods, and evidence-informed practice and interventions. In North Dakota, the University of North Dakota (UND) offers the state’s CSWE-accredited MSW program in on-campus and online formats. The University of Mary also offers an MSW program that is currently in CSWE candidacy status (part of the accreditation process, but not the same as full accreditation). 

Online MSW options based in North Dakota are limited. The University of North Dakota (UND) offers the state’s CSWE-accredited MSW with an online option, and UND’s bachelor’s-level social work program also includes online course options. The University of Mary offers an online MSW that is currently in CSWE candidacy status (part of the accreditation process, but not the same as full accreditation).

Advanced standing option: Some programs offer advanced standing for applicants who have earned a CSWE-accredited BSW, which can reduce the number of required credits and time to completion (details vary by school). 

*for applicants with advanced standing

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.

In North Dakota, social work licenses are issued by the North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners. The board offers three types of social work licenses: Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

In North Dakota, an LBSW may practice baccalaureate-level (generalist) social work within the scope of the license, but may not engage in private practice, North Dakota law limits private practice to licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs).

In North Dakota, an LMSW may practice social work within the scope of the license, but may not practice privately (only an LCSW may practice social work in private practice in North Dakota). Supervision is not required for LMSW practice by law or administrative code, but supervised clinical practice is required for LMSWs who are working toward LCSW licensure through the Board’s supervision plan process.

Learn more about online MSW programs.

In North Dakota, an LCSW may practice clinical social work independently and is the only social work license level authorized to practice privately under North Dakota law.

License Renewal: Every two years (January 1 of the even-numbered year through December 31 of the odd-numbered year) with 30 approved CE contact hours, including at least 2 hours in social work ethics; no more than 10 hours may be completed via independent learning/self-study.

Learn more about online clinical MSW programs.

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

Learn more about different social work salaries.

If you’re starting your path in social work, funding may be available through university-based scholarships and, in some cases, broader workforce funding programs, depending on your eligibility. Below are examples of scholarships specifically connected to North Dakota universities, but make sure to always confirm current requirements, deadlines, and application steps through each school’s official scholarship portal.

Learn more about social work scholarships.

Social workers in North Dakota can connect with state and national professional organizations that support the profession through advocacy, continuing education, networking, and professional resources. These organizations often focus on strengthening practice and improving systems that impact communities—such as child welfare, behavioral health, healthcare, aging services, and social policy.

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), North Dakota Chapter, is the state chapter of NASW and offers resources such as continuing education opportunities, advocacy information, and professional support for social workers in North Dakota.

Yes, North Dakota offers license reciprocity for applicants who hold an active, in-good-standing social work license in another jurisdiction, as long as that jurisdiction’s requirements are similar to or more stringent than North Dakota’s for the equivalent license. 

North Dakota social workers must complete 30 approved continuing education (CE) contact hours during each two-year licensing period (January 1 of the even-numbered year through December 31 of the odd-numbered year). At least two hours must be in social work ethics, and no more than 10 hours may be completed through independent learning/self-study (such as non-interactive online study). Newly licensed social workers may have a reduced CE requirement depending on when they were first licensed in the current cycle. 

Learn more about continuing education for social workers.

The best way to look up your social work license in North Dakota is through the North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners’ Online Verification search. You can search using details such as a license number or a name (and, if needed, narrow results with optional information like first name or city).

Last updated in February 2026.