The commonwealth of Pennsylvania was home to the fourth-highest concentration of child, family and school social workers in May 2024. As of January 2026, Graduates of a CSWE-accredited BSW program may be eligible to apply for Pennsylvania’s bachelor’s-level social work license by meeting state requirements and passing the ASWB Bachelor’s exam. To become an LSW or LCSW in Pennsylvania, a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree is required. There are several accredited MSW programs in Pennsylvania to consider.

This career guide for how to become a social worker in Pennsylvania explains educational requirements, how to get licensed, Pennsylvania social work organizations to join and more. Once you complete the steps to become a Pennsylvania social worker, you can embark on a meaningful, fulfilling career helping others.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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Common Steps to Become a Social Worker in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, there are three social work licenses: Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW), Licensed Social Worker (LSW), and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Below are common steps on how to become an LSW and LCSW in Pennsylvania, retrieved from State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors Title 49 Chapter 47 of the Pennsylvania Code:

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.

1. Complete an Accredited MSW or Doctorate in Social Work Program

To become an LSW or LCSW in Pennsylvania, you must hold a master’s degree in social work or social welfare from an accredited school/program (or a doctoral degree in social work). Pennsylvania’s Board materials describe the LCSW degree requirement as a CSWE-accredited program.

2. Apply for Authorization to Take the ASWB Examination

To be eligible to sit for an ASWB exam in Pennsylvania, you must submit an application to the Board for approval (typically through the PA Licensing System, PALS). After Board approval, ASWB issues an Authorization to Test, and you schedule the exam with Pearson VUE.

3. Apply for and Pass the ASWB

After you receive your Authorization to Test from ASWB, you register and schedule your exam through ASWB/Pearson VUE.

4. Finalize the Licensed Social Worker (LSW) Application

After you pass the ASWB Master’s exam, submit/complete the LSW licensure requirements in PALS, including Pennsylvania’s 3 hours of Board-approved child abuse recognition and reporting CE required for initial licensure.

5. Complete 3,000 Supervised Hours of Post-Graduate Experience

For LCSW licensure, you must complete at least 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience after completing the MSW, completed in no fewer than 2 years, and Pennsylvania’s regulations require you to be licensed as a social worker (LSW) before LCSW licensure.

6. Finalize Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Application

After completing the 3,000 supervised hours (over at least 2 years), apply for LCSW licensure and pass the ASWB Clinical exam (as required by the Board) to receive your LCSW.

You have a few social work program options in Pennsylvania that will put you on the path to licensure. For LBSW licensure, you’ll typically need a BSW from a CSWE-accredited social work program (or an equivalent bachelor’s in social work/social welfare that meets Board requirements). Core classwork may include human behavior, social policy, research methods and a practicum. 

For students ready for graduate studies, several schools across Pennsylvania offer a Master of Social Work (MSW) program. Doctoral degrees are available at a few of Pennsylvania’s colleges and universities, including the University of Pennsylvania’s Doctorate in Clinical Social Work and the University of Pittsburgh’s Ph.D. in Social Work. A doctoral degree in social work (such as a DSW) can meet Pennsylvania’s education requirement, but LCSW licensure also requires you to first hold an LSW, complete 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience over at least two years, and pass the ASWB Clinical exam.

Depending on your program track option of full-time, part-time, or advanced standing, you can finish an MSW in as little as a year. Based on your undergraduate social work degree, you may need to take some prerequisite courses. 

To earn an LSW or LCSW in Pennsylvania, you must hold a master’s degree in social work or social welfare from an accredited school (or a doctoral degree in social work). As a student, you should expect to develop core knowledge, skills, and values necessary for a social work professional. 

In addition to coursework covering the history and philosophy of social work and social welfare, human behavior and the social environment, and an understanding of social change, your curriculum may include field placement experiences. Examples of CSWE-accredited MSW programs in Pennsylvania include:

If you prefer to take your MSW courses online, there are several online and hybrid MSW options for you in Pennsylvania. This flexible educational path is ideal for students with a busy schedule who need to balance work, home life and school. The following online MSW programs offer classes online, traditional and advanced standing MSW programs to fit your needs.

Some of the MSW programs in Pennsylvania offer a clinical concentration. An MSW, online or on-campus, can meet the education requirement toward LCSW, but Pennsylvania LCSW licensure also requires LSW licensure, 3,000 supervised clinical hours over at least two years, and the ASWB Clinical exam.

Pennsylvania offers multiple licensure options in social work: licensed bachelor social worker, licensed social worker and licensed clinical social worker. Each level allows social workers to perform varying levels of work and assume different responsibilities. Pennsylvania also issues a Provisional Social Worker License for certain applicants who are progressing toward full licensure.

Learn more on how to become a LBSW.

Learn more about how to become a LCSW.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Typical salaries for other social work careers in the state vary:

Information on the above social work salaries in Florida was retrieved from Bureau of Labor Statistics – State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates Pennsylvania as of January 2026.

Learn more about different social work salaries.

You can find various social work scholarships, fellowships and grants at most colleges and universities. Refer to your institution’s financial aid department about your options.

For professional support, continuing education, advocacy, and networking, consider these Pennsylvania organizations. For licensing and official requirements, always use the Pennsylvania Department of State / State Board.

Several organizations in Pennsylvania offer resources for social work professionals.

Pennsylvania has an out-of-state licensure pathway called licensure by reciprocity, but it is not automatic and generally applies only when the other jurisdiction also grants reciprocity to Pennsylvania licensees. In addition, Pennsylvania has licensure by endorsement and may consider some applicants under Act 41, which allows boards to review out-of-state licenses on a case-by-case basis when standard endorsement/reciprocity routes don’t apply. 

Pennsylvania social work licenses renew on a biennial (two-year) cycle. For each renewal period, licensees must complete 30 hours of continuing education, including 3 hours in ethics, 2 hours of Act 31 child abuse reporter training, and 1 hour in suicide prevention. Excess CE hours generally do not carry over to the next renewal cycle, so it’s best to plan your CE within each biennial period and keep your completion records in case of an audit. 

The best way to look up your social work license is through the Pennsylvania Licensing System or PALS.

Information last updated: February 2026