Between scenic regions like Crater Lake National Park and Mount Hood National Forest, and the growing city of Portland, Oregon, there is much to offer residents seeking an outdoor lifestyle alongside strong community resources. Social work can also be a solid career path: nationally, the median annual wage for social workers was $61,330 (May 2024), with specialty areas such as healthcare social work reporting higher typical pay ($68,090 median) than some other tracks, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

This guide to becoming a social worker in Oregon breaks down the education you’ll need, how Oregon licensure works, professional organizations to consider, and other practical next steps. Once you complete Oregon’s requirements, you’ll be positioned to start a meaningful career supporting individuals, families, and communities across the state.

Information below was retrieved January 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 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.

• Complete the Online Advanced-Standing MSW in as few as 12 months if you have a BSW; if you do not have a BSW, the Online MSW Program may be completed in as few as 27 months.
• No GRE Required
• Customizable pathway options include Mental Health and Trauma or Health, Equity and Wellness concentrations

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.

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

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.

• Prepares students to pursue licensure, including LCSW 
• Full-time, part-time, and accelerated tracks 
• Minimum completion time: 9 months

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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.

• Concentrations: Direct Practice and Community, Administration, and Policy Practice
• Complete at least 777-1,000 hours of agency-based field education
• Earn your degree in as few as 12 months

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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.  
• Pending accreditation 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. 

Request more info from Hawaii Pacific University.

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Common Steps to Become an Oregon Social Worker

Wondering how to become a social worker in Oregon? Education, field experience and licensure can help you achieve your social worker career goals. For how to become a licensed social worker in Oregon and advance your career, follow these steps, summarized from the Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers.

1. Earn a CSWE-Accredited Social Work Degree

To become a licensed social worker in Oregon, you will have to complete a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Master of Social Work (MSW) program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The minimum educational requirements vary by license. Oregon’s Board of Licensed Social Workers issues four credentials: Registered Baccalaureate Social Worker (RBSW), Licensed Master’s Social Worker (LMSW), Clinical Social Work Associate (CSWA), and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) 

2. Complete Post-Graduate Field Hours 

Your BSW/MSW program will include field education, but Oregon’s post-degree supervised experience requirements apply specifically to the clinical pathway (CSWA → LCSW), not to every license type. To qualify for LCSW licensure, Oregon requires 3,500 supervised practice hours, including at least 2,000 hours of direct client contact, as well as required supervision (per Board rules).

3. Get Licensed

By completing all the educational and experience requirements, you may pursue a career as a licensed social worker in Oregon

Learn more about how to become a social worker.

In Oregon, as across the United States, social work degree programs are accredited by the CSWE. Oregon has multiple CSWE-accredited BSW programs and three CSWE-accredited MSW programs (Portland State University, Pacific University, and George Fox University). For the most up-to-date list, confirm programs in the CSWE Directory of Accredited Programs. 

If you earn a CSWE-accredited BSW, you may qualify for an advanced standing MSW track that can be completed in as little as one year, depending on the school and your eligibility (some programs require the BSW to be earned within a recent timeframe). A BSW also prepares students for entry-level social work positions, including caseworker or mental health assistant roles. The following are some of the colleges and universities in Oregon offering accredited BSW programs:

In Oregon, Master of Social Work programs offer various concentration options, such as clinical or direct practice, community development and management or administration.

In Oregon, only one online MSW program is accredited by CSWE. However, there are many other online MSW programs based outside Oregon that are accredited by CSWE and offer a range of concentrations, including school social work and mental health.

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. 

You must apply through the Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers to become a registered baccalaureate social worker (RBSW). The board requires:

To become a licensed master social worker (LMSW), the Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers requires:

To become a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), the Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers requires:

In Oregon, social work licenses are issued by the Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers. The board issues several types of social work licenses: registered baccalaureate social worker, licensed master social worker, clinical social work associate (certification) and licensed clinical social worker. For most licensing options across the United States, you must pass the relevant exam administered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). Additionally, Oregon requires the Oregon Rules and Laws Exam for every new applicant before a license/certificate is issued.  The requirements for each license are summarized below.

To be eligible for registration/licensure as an RBSW, an individual must have completed at least a BSW from an accredited institution. Those with an RBSW may pursue generalist social work practice.

The LMSW requires a minimum of a graduate-level degree, such as an MSW. This license reflects a more specialized understanding of social work practice. 

A CSWA is typically the first step toward clinical licensure in Oregon. It’s designed for MSW graduates pursuing the clinical track who need to practice clinical social work under Board-approved supervision while completing the experience required for LCSW licensure. CSWAs must have an approved plan of supervision on file before practicing clinically. 

In order to be an LCSW in Oregon, you need to complete an MSW program. This license is intended for those with graduate-level social work experience to apply specialized clinical knowledge and advanced skills.

The average salary earned by social workers in Oregon will depend on your role, work environment and location. However, the BLS reports that generally, the higher the educational attainment, the higher the earning potential. 

Information on the above social work salaries in Oregon was retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Oregon in January 2026. 

Learn more about social work salaries. 

Oregon students can find social work scholarships through statewide scholarship portals and community-based organizations. A strong place to start is the Oregon Student Aid Commission (OSAC) Scholarship Application, which uses one application to match students to 600+ scholarships each year. You may also find local awards such as the Oregon Association of Black Social Workers (OrABSW) scholarship and the Muslim Educational Trust (MET) Dr. Riyaz Ahmed Scholarship (eligibility and application details vary by year). 

Learn more about social work scholarships.

There are a variety of state-level and local social work organizations in Oregon, including:

Oregon does not have automatic license reciprocity. Instead, the Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers allows applicants who are licensed, certified, or registered in another jurisdiction to apply for the equivalent Oregon credential if they meet Oregon’s education, exam, and other requirements (often called licensure “by endorsement” in other states). Out-of-state applicants typically submit license verification and, where applicable, can use ASWB score transfer or prior exam verification as part of the Oregon application process. 

Oregon social workers complete continuing education during each two-year renewal period (due by the last day of your birth month). For active licenses, the Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers requires 20 CE hours for RBSWs (including 3 ethics and 3 cultural competency), 30 CE hours for LMSWs (including 4 ethics and 4 cultural competency), and 40 CE hours for active LCSWs (including 6 ethics and 6 cultural competency). CSWAs have no CE requirement, and the CE requirement also excludes the first renewal for LCSW, RBSW, and LMSW license holders.

Learn more about continuing education for social workers.

The best way to verify an Oregon social work license is to use the Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers’ Primary Source License Verification Search (the Board’s public license lookup). You can search by a licensee’s name and use the registry’s available filters (such as license type and status) to confirm a credential is current and in good standing. 

Information last updated January 2026