SocialWorkLicenseMap.com is owned by 2U, LLC, parent company of edX. Our goal is to help learners make confident, informed decisions about their education and career. Some programs shown here are offered by universities that partner with 2U, for which 2U provides marketing and operational support and receives compensation. Other programs shown may be paid advertisements from third parties. Both types of programs are identified with the word AD or Advertisement. We aim to keep information current and accurate. Learn more about edX and our partners.
Social Work State Licensure Board
Licensing for social workers is required to ensure that professionals meet the standards for safe, professional practice. Licensing is regulated by the states and administered by professional licensing boards in each jurisdiction. To practice in a state, a social worker must meet those requirements, which may include proof of a degree from an accredited program, transcripts, supervision documents, background information and examination scores.
Social Work Licensing Levels
Typically, states may regulate social work practice on four levels.
Level | Description |
|---|---|
Bachelor’s | Baccalaureate social work degree |
Master’s | Master’s degree in social work (MSW) with no post-degree experience |
Advanced Generalist | MSW with two years post-master’s supervised experience |
Clinical | MSW with two years post-master’s direct clinical social work experience |
University of Denver • Denver, CO
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 12 months
Credits
54-81 graduate-level credits
Concentrations
Mental Health and Trauma, Health, Equity and Wellness
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution to be considered for admission
- Minimum undergraduate GPA is a cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits (approximately two years of work) for the baccalaureate degree
- Official transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Resume
- Career goals statement
Syracuse University • Syracuse, NY
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 24 months
Credits
36-60
Concentrations
Advanced Integrated Practice, Advanced Clinical Practice
Admission Requirements
- Minimum 3.0 GPA is preferred
- Transcripts
- Resume
- Essays
- Prerequisite coursework
- Letters of recommendation
Simmons University • Boston, MA
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Enrollment Type
Accelerated and Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 9 months
Credits
37-65
Concentrations
Mental Health Practice Optional Certificate, Trauma Practice Optional Certificate, Clinical Practice with Active Service Members, Veterans, and Families
Admission Requirements
- Resume
- Transcripts
- Recommendation forms
- Statement of professional and educational intent
Howard University • Washington, DC
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
As few as 12 months
Credits
45+
Concentrations
Direct Practice, Community, Administration and Policy (CAP) Practice
Admission Requirements
- Three (3) letters of recommendation
- College transcripts
- A personal statement
- An application essay
- A resume
- Bachelor of Social Work from a CSWE-accredited institution, award within four years of first term start date
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all social work foundation and undergraduate coursework
Hawaii Pacific University • Honolulu, HI
Master of Social Work
Enrollment Type
Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program
12-36 months
Credits
30-57
Concentrations
Military and Veterans Affairs, Child or Adult Protective Services, Health Care, Mental Health, Individual and Families, Social Agency Administration
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree with at least 30 credits in Liberal Arts from an accredited four-year institution
- Minimum 3.0 GPA, but applicants below that will be considered for provisional admission
- Completed courses in Statistics and Research Methods
- Applicants must have completed each course with a grade of a "C" or higher
- Bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited program within the past five years
- Minimum 3.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale in social work courses
- Online application
Find the Licensing Board in your State
Obtaining a license is key to beginning your journey as a social worker. The process starts by identifying the state where you would like to practice.
Some states may issue licenses based on reciprocity if the home state of licensure has similar requirements. Social work exam scores are transferable between states.
Social workers should familiarize themselves with the requirements of the states where they intend to practice, as each state’s social work licensure requirements may vary in testing requirements and hours of supervised experiential training.
Here’s a list of social work licensing boards in the 50 states and Washington, D.C. Use this list to find requirements for each type of licensure.
Social Work Licensing Boards by State
State | Licensing Board | Types of Licenses |
|---|---|---|
Alabama | - Licensed Clinical Social Worker | |
Alaska | - Clinical Social Worker | |
Arizona | - Licensed Clinical Social Worker | |
Arkansas | - Licensed Clinical Social Worker | |
California | - Associate Clinical Social Worker | |
Colorado | - Licensed Clinical Social Worker | |
Connecticut | – Licensed Clinical Social Worker | |
Delaware | - Bachelors Social Worker | |
District of Columbia | - Licensed Graduate Social Worker | |
Florida | – Licensed Clinical Social Worker | |
Georgia | - Clinical Social Worker | |
Hawaii | - Licensed Clinical Social Worker | |
Idaho | - Licensed Bachelor Social Worker | |
Illinois | - Clinical Social Worker, Licensed | |
Indiana | - Licensed Social Worker | |
Iowa | - Licensed Bachelor Social Worker | |
Kansas | - Licensed Bachelor Social Worker | |
Kentucky | - Certified Social Worker | |
Louisiana | - Registered Social Worker | |
Maine | - Licensed Social Worker | |
Maryland | - Licensed Certified Social Worker | |
Massachusetts | - Licensed Certified Social Worker | |
Michigan | - Master’s Social Worker | |
Minnesota | - Licensed Social Worker | |
Mississippi | – Licensed Social Worker | |
Missouri | - Licensed Advanced Macro Social Worker | |
Montana | - Licensed Clinical Social Worker | |
Nebraska | - Certified Master Social Worker | |
Nevada | – Licensed Clinical Social Worker | |
New Hampshire | - Independent Clinical Social Worker | |
New Jersey | - Licensed Clinical Social Worker | |
New Mexico | - Licensed Clinical Social Worker | |
New York | - Licensed Clinical Social Worker | |
North Carolina | - Licensed Clinical Social Worker | |
North Dakota | - Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker | |
Ohio | - Licensed Social Worker | |
Oklahoma | - Licensed Clinical Social Worker | |
Oregon | – Licensed Clinical Social Worker | |
Pennsylvania | – Licensed Clinical Social Worker | |
Rhode Island | - Licensed Clinical Social Worker | |
South Carolina | - Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker | |
South Dakota | - Social Worker | |
Tennessee | - Licensed Advanced Practice Social Worker | |
Texas | – Licensed Bachelor Social Worker | |
Utah | - Certified Social Worker | |
Vermont | - Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker | |
Virginia | - Registered Social Worker | |
Washington | - Licensed Advanced Social Worker | |
West Virginia | - Licensed Social Worker | |
Wisconsin | - Certified Advanced Practice Social Worker | |
Wyoming | - Licensed Clinical Social Worker |
Information for state licensing boards of social work was retrieved in January 2026. For the most up-to-date information, check with your state board.
What Is the First Step I Should Take To Obtain My Social Work License?
Obtaining a license to practice as a social worker involves a series of steps that build on one another to lead to licensure.
The first step is obtaining the necessary education, typically a master’s degree in social work (MSW). Many online MSW programs meet licensing requirements, including Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation. Some states, including Arizona, offer professional licensure for graduates of a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree program. You likely will have to document internship or practice hours to your state board as part of your degree program.
Next, apply to the social work licensing board in the state where you wish to practice. The application process will include providing a valid ID, fingerprints for a background check and a social work transcript. Once the licensing board approves your application, you can move to the next step, the exam.
Prospective social workers must pass the exam from the Association of Social Work Boards. The cost varies by the level of the exam.
ASWB Exam Type | Exam Cost |
|---|---|
Associate, Bachelor’s or Master’s | $230 |
Advanced Generalist or Clinical | $260 |
Source: Association of Social Work Boards, “Exam”
After passing the exam, you may receive your license from the state board. Final steps may vary according to state requirements.
Information last updated: January 2026