How to become a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW)

1. Complete a bachelor’s degree

Every CSWE-accredited MSW program requires a bachelor’s degree, but your undergraduate major doesn’t have to be social work or a related field: CSWE’s 2022 accreditation standards list an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university as an MSW admission requirement without naming a major. Learn more about your options:

• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW): If you know you want to be an LCSW, studying social work during your undergraduate studies can provide you with relevant foundational knowledge. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredits baccalaureate programs for generalist practice, and its accreditation standards require accredited BSW programs to teach nine social work competencies, including policy practice and theories of human behavior, and to include at least 400 hours of field education. Those hours allow students to get an idea of what it is like to interact with a client. Under the same standards, MSW programs offer advanced standing to graduates of CSWE-accredited BSW programs, so a BSW can let you choose an advanced standing Master of Social Work program instead of a traditional one. If you’re weighing an online program, our guide to online BSW programs can help; field education is still part of every accredited BSW program.
• Non-BSW pathway: If you aren’t entirely sure about becoming an LCSW, you may study other subjects such as sociology, psychology, or human development. You can still move on to pursue a Master of Social Work without a BSW, but CSWE’s accreditation standards reserve advanced standing for graduates of CSWE-accredited BSW programs, so a related degree does not by itself qualify you for it. Learn more about earning an MSW without a BSW.

2. Pursue a master’s degree in social work (MSW) or MSW-equivalent program

Earning a Master of Social Work (MSW) is necessary for licensure as a clinical social worker. Like the BSW, there are two pathways to earning this degree. Both depend on whether you majored in social work as an undergraduate.

• Master of Social Work (MSW) pathway (for non-BSW grads): After earning your undergraduate degree, the next step is an MSW. The Council on Social Work Education is the body responsible for accrediting social work degree programs, ensuring that they meet the standards and criteria required for providing the best education and practices. CSWE reviews master’s programs for generalist and specialized practice competencies, so MSW programs let students specialize in one or more areas of practice. According to CSWE, the standard MSW curriculum is a two-year graduate degree, and its accreditation standards require at least 900 hours of field education in master’s programs. Review our complete list of online Master of Social Work programs.
• Advanced standing MSW pathway (for BSW grads): Graduates of CSWE-accredited BSW programs may be eligible for an advanced standing Master of Social Work program, and according to CSWE, some eligible BSW graduates complete an MSW in one year through an advanced-standing track. Be sure to check your desired program’s admissions requirements. Some advanced standing MSW programs are offered online.

3. Complete LCSW licensing and examination requirements

Clinical social work licensure is regulated at the state level. Each state has its own licensing board that determines the requirements for clinical social work licensure. It’s important for students interested in becoming LCSWs to make sure the graduate social work program and concentration that they choose meet the licensing requirements for their state of residence or the one in which they plan to practice. According to CSWE, most state and U.S. territory licensing requirements call for a degree from a CSWE-accredited program, though an accredited degree does not by itself guarantee a license.

Future LCSWs should note that earning this designation typically requires supervised clinical experience after the MSW and a passing score on the licensing exam your state requires, in addition to completion of a CSWE-accredited MSW program.

Current LCSWs who move to a different state may have to complete additional requirements in order to transfer their licenses. It is important to check state requirements before making a move. The Social Work Licensure Compact may make moving easier in the future: as of July 2026, the compact’s commission reported that 35 states had enacted it, but as of October 2026 its website says multistate licenses are not yet being issued.

Supervised clinical experience after your MSW

Much of the time between graduation and an LCSW goes to supervised clinical experience. ASWB notes that a clinical or independent license also requires supervised practice, commonly called supervision, and each state sets how much. In some states, such as New York, you complete these hours while licensed at the master’s level as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). The examples below show how much the requirement varies; they are not a complete list, so confirm your own state’s rules with its board.

^{Requirements as published by each state board in October 2026.}

The ASWB Clinical exam

Boards in Florida, New York and Texas, for example, require ASWB’s Clinical exam for the clinical license. Depending on the state, you apply for your license or get preapproval before you take the exam. According to ASWB, candidates have four hours to complete the exam, which contains 122 multiple-choice questions, and 75.7% of first-time Clinical exam takers passed in 2025. Our guide to preparing for the social work licensing exam covers how to study.

4. Apply for LCSW state licensure

As previously stated, licensure depends on your state of residence and the board-specific licensing requirements. The process to become an LCSW requires a substantial commitment beyond graduation—completing an MSW program is just one part of it. Beyond graduate studies, many aspiring professionals must accrue supervised hours of experience and complete a clinical examination.

Some master’s-level social workers provide clinical services before they hold a clinical license, but only under supervision; New York, for example, authorizes a Licensed Master Social Worker to practice clinical social work only under supervision. A clinical license also brings more independence. If you want to pursue a private social work practice providing clinical services, plan on a clinical-level license: ASWB notes that clinical licensees can practice independently and can engage in private practice.

The designation for social workers who have their clinical social work license varies by state. While some states grant the title of Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) to social workers with their license, other states use different titles: Minnesota, for example, issues the Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) license, and Ohio licenses independent social workers.

How the clinical license compares with other social work licenses

ASWB groups most social work licenses into four categories. Your state may use different titles or may not offer every category; our LMSW vs. LCSW guide compares the master’s-level and clinical licenses.

^{Source: ASWB, “Becoming a licensed social worker.” A dash means ASWB’s description of that category does not include the element.}

Make sure to double-check licensing requirements with your state’s social work licensing board for the most up-to-date information, along with the program you are currently enrolled in or wish to pursue.

5. Renew your license

As an LCSW, it’s important to complete continuing education requirements and to renew your license based on your state licensing board’s renewal requirements. If you fail to do so, you will not be able to continue to practice. License renewal terms vary by state. In California, for example, the LCSW license must be renewed every two years, and it cannot be renewed earlier than 90 days before it expires.

For some states, such as Maryland, the continuing education requirement is 40 continuing education units from board-approved programs within each two-year renewal period (30 for Licensed Bachelor Social Workers).

Because each state varies by requirement, you should check with your state’s licensing board.

6. Advance your career through continued learning

The National Association of Social Workers’ (NASW) Standards for Continuing Professional Education call for social workers to complete 48 hours of continuing professional education every two years, a professional standard that is separate from your state’s renewal requirement. However, continued learning for licensure renewal is different by state and level of licensure. It’s imperative that social workers continue to learn throughout their career to stay up to date on new research and best practices. You can learn more about professional development in the NASW Practice Standards for Clinical Social Workers, adopted in June 2025.

The next step

We hope that the path to becoming an LCSW is now clear to you. If you’re ready to explore your options for an MSW program, why not consider a program with a clinical social work concentration?

Licensed clinical social worker FAQ

What is an LCSW?

An LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker. According to NASW, clinical social work focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental illness and emotional and behavioral disturbances, in settings including private practice, hospitals, community mental health, primary care and agencies. LCSW requirements vary by state, so make sure to check your specific state to find out how to get licensed there.

What does a licensed clinical social worker do?

An LCSW helps individuals, families, and communities affected by mental disorders, behavioral challenges, and other life changes or issues. NASW’s practice standards for clinical social workers list settings including community mental health centers, hospitals, substance use treatment programs, schools, primary health care centers and private practice, and clinical social workers often collaborate with other medical and mental health professionals.

What is the difference between a licensed clinical social worker and other social workers?

Clinical social workers provide assessment, diagnoses, treatment and preventive care for mental, behavioral, and emotional concerns. They may use individual or group therapy to do so. A clinical license generally requires an MSW, supervised practice after the degree and ASWB’s Clinical exam.

On the other hand, not all licensed social workers have an MSW: ASWB’s Bachelors license category calls for a BSW and the Bachelors exam. Social work also reaches well beyond clinical treatment: CSWE’s career overview describes social workers researching, referring and advocating for community resources, advocating for policy change, working to improve access to affordable housing and health care, and working directly with individuals to help them cope with their situations.

How much do licensed clinical social workers earn?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not publish pay data for LCSWs as a group, but it does report wages for social work occupations. In May 2025, healthcare social workers had a median annual wage of $67,880, mental health and substance abuse social workers had a median annual wage of $60,280, and social workers overall had a median annual wage of $61,780. These medians cover all experience levels, so they do not reflect starting pay.

How long does it take to become an LCSW?

It depends mostly on your state’s supervised-experience rules. CSWE describes the standard MSW as a two-year graduate degree, with some eligible BSW graduates finishing in one year through advanced standing, and states then require supervised clinical experience: for example, at least 24 months in Texas and at least 36 months in New York. See our guide to how long it takes to become a social worker for more on timelines.

Can you become an LCSW with a bachelor’s degree?

No. ASWB’s Clinical license category requires an MSW. A bachelor’s degree in social work can still help: ASWB’s license categories also include a Bachelors license for BSW graduates, though each state sets its own license requirements, and MSW programs offer advanced standing to graduates of CSWE-accredited BSW programs.