Become a Social Worker in Ohio

To practice social work in the Buckeye State, you must obtain a license after earning any one of three social work degrees—a bachelor’s (BSW), master’s (MSW) or doctorate in social work—from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program. You will be joining almost 34,000 social workers in Ohio. That number includes professionals working in child and family services, schools, healthcare, mental health and substance use settings, and other community roles. In addition to earning a degree, you must follow state guidelines set forth by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board (CSWMFT) to practice in the state. Continue reading to learn what steps and guidelines you must follow to become a social worker in Ohio.

Steps to Become an Ohio Social Worker

Unlike other states that may require a minimum of a master’s in social work, Ohio permits social work professionals to practice with a BSW. Here’s an overview of common steps needed to obtain licensure and become a social worker in Ohio.

How to Become a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in Ohio

The steps to become an LSW in Ohio were retrieved from the LSW License Instructions from the CSWMFT as of November 2025.

1. Complete a degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program.

In order to pursue licensure as a licensed social worker (LSW) in Ohio, you must complete, at minimum, a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) that is accredited by the CSWE.

2. Complete the licensed social worker (LSW) application.

Complete the LSW application and submit the $80 application fee and a processing fee. You may need to provide your driver’s license and a copy of your degree (or letter of good standing along with anticipated degree and graduation date if you are a current student) with your application.

Part of your application is to request approval to take the licensure examination from the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB).

3. Pass the relevant ASWB exam.

Depending on your degree level, you may have to pass the ASWB Bachelors or Masters exam. You may receive authorization from the state to take the ASWB after you submit your LSW application.

4. Familiarize yourself with the CSWMFT laws and rules.

View the CSWMFT Laws and Rules video to help you understand the Board’s rules and ethics requirements of a licensee.

5. Complete criminal background checks.

Complete the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) and FBI background checks.

6. Submit your official transcripts.

Have your school submit official transcripts, indicating the degree granted, directly to the Board. Request your transcript to be emailed to socialwork@cswb.ohio.gov or mailed to the address below:

Counselor Social Worker & Marriage and Family Therapist Board
77 S High St 24th Floor, Room 2468
Columbus, OH 43215

For general questions, the Board directs applicants to use cswmft.info@cswb.ohio.gov

Degree Pathways to Become a Social Worker in OH

There are several licenses for social workers and assistants in Ohio. Three of these require enrollment or graduation from an accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) program. However, licenses are available for associate- and bachelor-level applicants. Learn more about MSW programs in Ohio.

• Associate Degree in Social Work: To be qualified for the Social Work Assistant (SWA) license in Ohio, you generally need at least an associate degree in social service technology or a closely aligned program that meets Board curriculum requirements.
• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW): Earning your BSW is a minimum education requirement for the LSW license in Ohio. This degree may prepare you to provide interventions without supervision as an LSW.
• Online Master’s in Social Work (MSW): In Ohio, there are a few universities that offer an online MSW program. However, these programs are also offered throughout the country, accredited by the CSWE.
• Advanced Standing MSW Program: If you already have earned your BSW and wish to pursue licensure as an LISW in Ohio, you may be able to enroll in an advanced standing program that builds on the social work foundation coursework from your bachelor’s degree.
• Online Clinical Social Work (LCSW) Program: Although Ohio does not have a “clinical” title designation for social workers, an online clinical MSW program may help with completing and passing the clinical exam for the LISW license.
• Online MSW with No GRE: Some universities offer admissions without requiring the GRE but may still have GPA and other requirements.
• Doctorate of Social Work (DSW): Although not required for social work licensure in Ohio, a DSW program may help prepare you to pursue advanced career opportunities such as professor of social work, administrator, or director of social services.

Social Work Licenses in Ohio

In addition to the previously mentioned BSW- and MSW-level licenses, there are two other social work designations in Ohio: one for master’s-level students pursuing internship/practicum hours and another for those who have received an associate degree in social service technology.

• The social work trainee (SWT) license is for MSW students who are currently enrolled in an internship or field education course. This allows the MSW student to act as a social worker during their internship.
• If you have earned an associate-level degree in social service technology, you may be eligible for the social work assistant (SWA) license. The SWA license may permit individuals, under appropriate supervision, to provide services such as intake assessments, referrals, screening, and crisis intervention.

For other applicants with a BSW or MSW, the following licenses are available from the Ohio CSWMFT Board as of October 2020:

Licensed Social Worker (LSW)

As an LSW in Ohio, you can provide counseling and psychosocial interventions without supervision and practice social psychotherapy under appropriate supervision.

• Education Requirement: A CSWE-accredited Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is the minimum degree; applicants with an MSW or higher may also qualify.
• Field Requirement: None beyond the supervised field education built into your accredited program.
• Exams: ASWB Bachelors or Masters Exam depending on your degree level.
• Fees: $80 application fee plus a $3.50 processing fee, paid online through Ohio’s eLicense system.
• License Renewal: Renew every two years on license issuance date. You must complete 30 hours of continuing education, including at least 3 hours in ethics; all 30 hours may be completed by approved distance learning or home study.

Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW)

The LISW in Ohio license allows you to practice independently in Ohio, including opening your own practice, and to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders within the scope of social work.

• Education Requirement: A CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work (MSW) or higher.
• Field Requirement: At least 3,000 hours of post-MSW supervised social work experience, typically completed over a minimum of two years under a Board-approved LISW supervisor.
• Exams: ASWB Clinical or ASWB Advanced Generalist Exam
• Fees: $100 application fee plus a $3.50 processing fee via the eLicense system.

Licensed Independent Social Worker with Supervision Designation (LISW-S)

The LISW-S designation allows you to supervise other social workers who are gaining supervised experience toward independent licensure.

• Education Requirement: A CSWE-accredited MSW and at least one year of experience as an Ohio LISW or an equivalent independent license in another state.
• Supervision Training: Completion of at least 9 hours of Board-approved supervision continuing education after your independent license is issued, or a master’s-level social work supervision course completed within the last three years.
• Exams: No additional ASWB exam beyond the LISW exam.
• Application Fee: The “S” is an endorsement on your LISW license, requested via the eLicense system; any applicable fees are set by the Board.
• License Renewal: Renew on the same two-year schedule as your LISW. You must still complete 30 total CE hours, including at least 3 hours in ethics and at least 3 hours in supervision-focused CE each renewal period; distance learning/home study can cover all required hours.

Social Work Salaries for Ohio

Average social work salaries in Ohio will vary by location, role and work environment.

Information on the above social work salaries in Ohio was retrieved from Bureau of Labor Statistics – State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates Ohio as of November 2025.

Learn more about different social work salaries.

Ohio Social Work Scholarships

There are several social work scholarships in Ohio and as well as other forms of financial aid to help aspiring social work students cover school costs, such as tuition and supplies. Be sure to check with your preferred university for other financial aid options available. Some Ohio scholarships we have found for social workers include:

• Miami University – Scholarships
• Ohio Grants & Scholarships – Ohio Department of Higher Education
• Ohio State University Social Work – Undergraduate Scholarships
• Ohio University Social Work – Undergraduate Scholarships
• University of Cincinnati Social Work – Graduate Scholarships

Ohio Social Work Organizations

While there are some social work organizations in Ohio, universities may also offer opportunities for students to join associations or groups.

• NASW, Ohio Chapter – The world’s largest membership organization of social workers with more than 130,000 members has 3,800 in Ohio. This group focuses on client advocacy and addressing the needs of social work professionals.
• Ohio School Social Work Association – Ohio is one of 11 states in the Midwest School Social Work Council. The Ohio chapter promotes programs and research in school systems to improve the quality of life for students. The organization further advocates social service work throughout the state.