How to Become a Social Worker in Tennessee

Tennessee may be known for musical talents from Nashville or the Great Smoky Mountains, but it is also home to over 17,000 social workers as of January 2026. The Tennessee Department of Health’s Board of Social Workers offers four different types of social work licensure for those thinking about becoming a social worker in the state. Each license offers different pathways and has different requirements.

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

Common Steps to Become a Tennessee Social Worker

Becoming a social worker in Tennessee typically involves earning a CSWE-accredited social work degree (BSW or MSW), completing the required ASWB exam for your license level, and submitting an application to the Tennessee Department of Health’s Board of Social Workers. Depending on the credential you pursue, you may also need post-degree supervised experience (particularly for advanced practice and clinical licensure). All initial licensure applicants must complete a criminal background check and pay the required fees. The steps below are summarized from the Board’s published statutes/rules and application guidance.

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 Program

A social work degree, accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), is often the first step to earning your social worker licensure in Tennessee. If you complete a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree, you may qualify for an application to become a licensed baccalaureate social worker (LBSW). If you complete a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree, you have the minimum education requirements for all other license types, including becoming a clinical social worker.

1. Apply to the Board for Exam Approval

After you meet the eligibility requirements for the license level you’re pursuing, you’ll apply to the Tennessee Board of Social Workers for exam approval. For LBSW and LMSW applicants, this typically follows completion of the required degree. For LCSW and LAPSW applicants, Tennessee requires completion of the supervised experience requirements before the Board will approve you to sit for the Clinical or Advanced Generalist ASWB exam.

1. Pass the Bachelor’s or Master’s ASWB Exam

In order to become an LBSW or a licensed master’s social worker (LMSW) before pursuing licensure as a clinical or advanced practice social worker, applicants must pass an exam from the Association for Social Work Boards (ASWB). LBSW applicants should pass the bachelor’s exam and LMSW applicants must pass the master’s exam. After the Board approves your application, you’ll take the ASWB exam. Once you pass and your file is complete, the Board can issue the Tennessee license you applied for.

1. Complete Supervised Post-Degree Experience (LCSW/LAPSW only)

Tennessee requires 3,000 hours of supervised experience for LCSW or LAPSW licensure, plus 100 hours of supervisor contact hours, with supervision spread throughout the experience period.

1. Pass the Clinical or Advanced Generalist Practice ASWB Exam

If you are continuing to pursue licensure as a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) or licensed advanced practice social worker (LAPSW), you will need to pass the clinical or advanced generalist practice exam, respectively.

1. Apply for Your License

After achieving a passing score on the ASWB, applicants may apply to the Board of Social Workers for their desired license.

Social Work Degree Programs in Tennessee

Tennessee offers multiple CSWE-accredited social work degree programs, including on-campus, online, full-time, and part-time formats. For the most up-to-date list of accredited programs, check the CSWE Accreditation Directory.

Tennessee also offers associate-degree transfer pathways in social work, allowing students to start at a community college and transfer to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor’s degree. The Tennessee Transfer Pathway helps students understand how to earn their social work degree, starting at a community college and then transferring to a public or private university to complete their undergraduate degree. Tennessee has CSWE-accredited BSW and MSW programs. Because accreditation status can change, confirm current program listings through the CSWE Accreditation Directory.

Earning a bachelor’s degree in social work accredited by the CSWE may help prepare students for licensure as an LBSW. However, an MSW degree is required for any other licenses issued by the state.For students seeking a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program, Tennessee is home to a couple: The University of Tennessee, Knoxville and The University of Memphis.

Master of Social Work (MSW) Programs in Tennessee

MSW programs in Tennessee offer various concentrations, curriculum options and certificates. Future LMSWs may choose to focus on direct clinical practice, child and family advocacy, working with adults and families, organizational leadership, gerontology and even veterinary social work.

Learn more about MSW Programs:

• Advanced Standing MSW Programs Online
• Clinical MSW Online Programs
• Online MSW Programs No GRE

Social Work Licenses in Tennessee

Tennessee has four social work licenses: LBSW, LMSW, LAPSW, and LCSW. With a BSW, you may qualify for the Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW) credential. For the other three licenses, LMSW, LAPSW, and LCSW, you’ll need a CSWE-accredited MSW, and the advanced licenses (LAPSW/LCSW) also require supervised experience and the appropriate ASWB exam level. The license information below is summarized from Tennessee’s Board rules (Chapter 1365-01) and the Board’s published licensure guidance.

Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW)

If you have a licensed baccalaureate social worker license, you may be able to work in entry-level positions in many industries, such as a case manager aide, probation officer, human services employee, community outreach worker, behavior management aide, and more. To become an LBSW in Tennessee, you may need the following:

• Education requirements: A BSW from a CSWE-accredited program. Tennessee may also issue a temporary LBSW license in limited situations (for example, if the program had applied for CSWE accreditation but had not yet received it at the time of graduation).
• Field requirements: No post-degree field requirement
• Exam: ASWB Bachelors exam
• License renewal: Every two years. Licensed baccalaureate social workers must complete 18 clock hours of continuing education every 2 calendar years, including 6 hours in social work ethics and 1 hour on Tennessee social work statutes and rules. Licensees must also complete a 2-hour suicide prevention training at least once every four years (with certain new-licensee exceptions).

Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)

With an LMSW, you may be able to move into higher social work positions, though you are not licensed as a clinical social worker (LCSW). In Tennessee, clinical social work is restricted to LCSWs, or to LMSWs/LAPSWs who are practicing under the supervision of an LCSW and meeting applicable standards. Learn more about the difference between an LMSW and LCSW license. Career options for an LMSW may include roles in child welfare, aging and disability services, case management, and social services administration, depending on the employer and setting. (Some roles, such as school social work, may have additional requirements beyond social work licensure.)

• Education requirements: CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work (MSW)
• Field requirements: No post-degree field requirement
• Exam: ASWB Master’s exam
• License renewal: Every two years. LMSWs must complete 24 clock hours of continuing education every two (2) calendar years, including 6 hours in social work ethics and 1 hour specific to Tennessee social work statutes and rules. All licensees must also complete a minimum 2-hour suicide prevention training at least once every four (4) years.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

As an LCSW, you may have the training and experience necessary to assess individuals, diagnose mental health and behavioral conditions and provide treatment. You may be able to also provide therapy to individuals, groups and families in a variety of settings. You might work with a community health department or organization, a hospital or medical facility or in private practice.

• Education requirements: CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work (MSW)
• Supervised experience requirements: 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience completed after becoming an LMSW (or a temporarily licensed master social worker). The 3,000 hours must be completed over not less than two (2) years and not more than eight (8) years (measured from the date the application and fee are received).
• Exam: ASWB Clinical exam
• License renewal: Every two years. LCSWs must complete 30 clock hours of continuing education every two (2) calendar years, including 6 hours in social work ethics and 1 hour on Tennessee social work statutes and rules. All licensees must also complete at least 2 hours of board-approved suicide prevention training once every four (4) years.

Learn more about how to become an LCSW.

Licensed Advanced Practice Social Worker (LAPSW)

The LAPSW credential is Tennessee’s advanced practice, nonclinical social work license. It may support more independent practice in areas such as advocacy, case management, program/organizational work, research, and other advanced generalist services, depending on the role and setting. Clinical social work is a separate licensure track (LCSW) with its own supervised clinical experience and exam requirements. But you cannot provide clinical work without credentialed supervision.

• Education requirements: CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work (MSW)
• Supervised experience requirements: 3,000 hours of nonclinical advanced practice experience completed after becoming an LMSW (or temporarily licensed master social worker). The 3,000 hours must be completed over not less than 2 years and not more than 8 years (measured from the date the application and fee are received). Applicants must also complete 100 supervisor contact hours (in addition to the 3,000), under supervision by an LCSW or LAPSW, with at least 60 hours of individual supervision and no more than 40 hours of group supervision.
• Exam: ASWB Advanced Generalist exam
• License renewal: Every two years. LAPSWs must complete 30 clock hours every two (2) calendar years, including 6 hours in social work ethics and 1 hour specific to Tennessee statutes/rules. All licensees must also complete a minimum 2-hour suicide prevention training at least once every four (4) years.

Social Work Salaries for Tennessee

When deciding whether a career in social work is the right path, you might want to consider social worker salaries.

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

Tennessee Social Work Scholarships

You might be concerned about the cost of earning a social work degree. One way to address this is by pursuing scholarships. Social work scholarships in Tennessee include:

• East Tennessee State University (ETSU) Department of Social Work Scholarships
• East Tennessee Foundation – Ellyn Lancaster Scholarship
• Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) Social Work Scholarships
• National Association of Junior Auxiliaries, Inc. (NAJA) Graduate Scholarship Program
• Tennessee Association of School Social Workers (TASSW) Scholarships
• Tennessee State University (TSU) BSSW Scholarships
• University of Tennessee Knoxville (UTK) College of Social Work Scholarships
• University of Tennessee at Martin (UT Martin) Social Work Program Scholarships & Financial Aid (Scholarship search)
• The University of Memphis School of Social Work Scholarships

Tennessee Social Work Organizations

As a social work student, you may benefit from joining a state, national or university-based social work organization. These associations can provide professional development resources, mentoring, networking opportunities, and information about continuing education and conferences. Some organizations also offer scholarships, awards, and student leadership opportunities.

• Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) Student Chapter of the National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW)
• National Association of Social Workers (NASW) – Tennessee Chapter
• Tennessee Association of School Social Workers (TASSW)
• Tennessee Conference on Social Welfare (TCSW)