Social Work Licensing Reciprocity by State
(Created Fall 2019 by UNI Social Work Field Office GA Maddie Smith)
STATE (alphabetical order)
Reciprocity Info
https://www.socialworkguide.org/licensure/
Alabama
Alabama Licensing Board
Social Work License: If you are licensed in another state, you can apply for the equivalent Alabama
social work license. To receive a license by reciprocity, your current license must be in good standing
and you must meet Alabama’s requirements for the license you are applying to obtain. To apply,
complete the Application for Social Work Licensure and pay the $75 fee (as of February 2019). You
will also need to provide a Verification of License form and have the ASWB send your past exam
scores to the Board.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements: The Board requires all licensed social
workers to complete 30 continuing education (CE) hours every two years in order to renew their
licenses . At least three of these hours must be in ethics. The Board provides extensive information on
continuing education requirements, including approved activities and providers. After you have
completed the required amount of CE, you can renew your license for a fee of $100 (as of February
2019).
https://www.socialworkguide.org/licensure/alabama/
School Social Work specific info:
(supporting website)
Alaska
Alaska Licensing Board
Social Work License:
The Board allows social workers licensed in other states to apply for an Alaska social work license
through a process called “licensure by credentials.” To be eligible for licensure using this method,
you must hold a current social work license in good standing from another state. This license
must have been earned by meeting requirements equivalent to or more stringent than Alaska’s.
Additionally, you must have passed the required ASWB exam within the past two years or be able
to document 1,500 hours of work experience and 45 hours of continuing education within the
past five years. To apply, complete the application form for the license you are seeking. You will
need to provide three professional references, official transcripts, past ASWB exam scores or
documentation of work experience, and verification of your current license. As of March 2019,
the application fee for all levels of licensure is $100. LBSW and LMSW applicants can request a
temporary license for an additional $75. You will need to pay an additional fee to receive your
license; the amount varies depending on the level of licensure.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
Social workers in Alaska must renew their licenses every two years by submitting the Social Worker
License Renewal form to the Board and paying the required fee. As of March 2019, the renewal fees
are $225 for LBSWs, $275 for LMSWs, and $325 for LCSWs. During each renewal period, social
workers must complete 45 continuing education (CE) hours. Of the required 45 CE hours, six hours
must be on the topic of substance abuse and three must be in professional ethics. During your first
renewal period, six of your CE hours must be from education in cultural topics related to Alaska
Natives; in subsequent renewal periods, you must complete six CE hours in cross-cultural education
with at least three hours in topics related to Alaska Natives. See the Board’s continuing education
page for more details on CE requirements and a list of approved courses.
School Social Work specific info:
Alaska School Social Work , University of Alaska
Arkansas
Arkansas Licensing Board
License Reciprocity:
Arkansas offers social worker licensure by reciprocity. This allows social workers who are licensed in
other states to become licensed in Arkansas without retaking the exam. Reciprocity applicants will
have to complete the application form for the license they wish to hold (or submit it online), include
the Verification of Licensure in Other State form, and request that the ASWB send their past exam
scores to the Board. As of February 2019, application fees are $100, with an additional $5.50 fee for
applications submitted online. All applicants must also complete a criminal background check.
Reciprocity licenses will only be granted if the applicant’s home state has social worker licensure
guidelines equal to (or more stringent than) the guidelines in Arkansas. An individual applying for
licensure by reciprocity may receive a provisional license that is valid for six months. This license
allows the recipient to practice social work while awaiting the results of his or her criminal
background check.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
Social workers in Arkansas must renew their licenses every two years on the last day of the month in
which the license was originally issued. As of February 2019, it costs $80 to renew an Arkansas social
work license. Renewal instructions can be found on the Board’s website. Before renewing, all
licensees must complete 48 hours of continuing education (CE) during each renewal period. A
maximum of 10 CE hours each are allowed for giving presentations and preparing manuscripts and no
more than 20 CE hours can be attained through home study (i.e. internet courses). For more
information, see the Board’s list of acceptable and unacceptable CE activities.
School Social Work specific info:
(supporting website)
Arizona
Arizona Licensing Board
License Reciprocity:
Arizona has no formal reciprocity with any other state, but the Board does offer licensure by
endorsement for social workers who have held a license in another state for at least three years with
no disciplinary actions. To be eligible for licensure by endorsement, you must have earned your
current social work license under regulations that were equivalent to or more stringent than those
set forth by the Arizona Board. To apply for licensure by endorsement, submit an application to the
Board along with the required supplemental materials. You will need to have your ASWB exam scores
transferred to the Arizona Board. Note that although the Clinical exam is typically required for LCSW
applicants, individuals who were licensed as clinical social workers before July 1, 2004 by passing the
Advanced Generalist exam may be able to use that score instead.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
All licensed social workers in Arizona must renew their licenses every two years. To renew, LBSWs,
LMSWs, and LCSWs must complete 30 hours of continuing education (CE) during every two-year
period. The renewal fee is $325. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Arizona Chapter
is a good resource for finding continuing education opportunities.
School Social Work specific info:
Arizona School Social Work
California
California Licensing Board
License Reciprocity:
Starting in 2016, California became the 50th state to require the ASWB exam for licensure. While they
do not have a formal reciprocity policy, now that the testing required is the same as other states, the
process for transferring licensure from another state will now be easier. Out-of-state applicants
holding a social work license will use this online form to verify their licensure. Applicants will also be
required to take an 18-hour course in California law and ethics along with the other required
coursework of all applicants. Those out-of-state applicants who have been licensed as a clinical social
worker for at least four years will be qualified to become LCSWs in California. Those who have been
licensed as a clinical social worker for fewer than four years will need to provide verification that they
have completed at least 3,200 hours of supervised work experience and 104 weeks of supervision. If
the licensing body in your state does not have equivalent requirements, time actively licensed as a
clinical social worker in your state shall be accepted at a rate of 100 hours per month up to a
maximum of 1,200 hours. You will document this along with the Clinical Social Worker Verification of
Licensure/Registration/Certification in another state form.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
License renewal is required every two years in California. Licensees must complete 36 hours of
continuing education before each renewal period. New licensees are only required to complete 18
hours during their first two years of licensure. You can renew your license online or with a paper
application.
School Social Work specific info:
California Association of School Social Workers
Colorado
Colorado Licensing Board
Social Work License:
The Colorado Board accepts applications for social work licensure by endorsement from individuals
who are already licensed social workers in other states. To qualify, your current license must be in
good standing and you must meet the criteria for either an LSW or LCSW license in Colorado. To
apply, submit an application through the Division of Professions and Occupations Online Services, pay
the $70 fee (as of February 2019), and provide any required supplemental documentation such as
ASWB exam scores and verification of your current license. You will also need to pass the Mental
Health Professions Jurisprudence Exam before receiving your Colorado social work license.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
Colorado requires licensed social workers to renew their licenses every two years. For both LSW and
LCSW licenses, renewals require participation in the Continuing Professional Development Program,
which must include 40 hours of professional development in continuing education (CE) activities or
categories approved by the Board, with no more than 20 hours in any single category. All licenses are
renewed online through the Division of Professions and Occupations Online Services.
School Social Work specific info:
Colorado School Social Work
Connecticut
Connecticut Licensing Board
Social Work License:
The Department offers social work licensure by endorsement for individuals who hold a social work
license in good standing in another state. To be eligible, you must hold a license that was earned by
meeting equivalent standards to those required in Connecticut. If you are applying for an LCSW
license but did not complete 3,000 hours of supervised clinical social work experience, you may be
able to substitute three years of independent clinical social work experience in lieu of this
requirement. To apply for licensure by endorsement, complete an online application and provide any
supplemental documentation required, including verification of your current license and your past
ASWB exam scores.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
Connecticut social work licenses are renewed annually. As of January 2019, the renewal fee for LCSW
and LMSW licenses is $195. All Connecticut social workers are required to complete at least 15 hours
of continuing education each year. At least two hours must be in topics related to the mental health
treatment of veterans and one hour must be in cultural topics
School Social Work specific info:
Connecticut School Social Work
Delaware
Delaware Licensing Board
Social Work License:
Delaware offers licensure by reciprocity to clinical social workers licensed in other states. To be
eligible, you must hold a current clinical social work license in another state and have not had any
disciplinary actions against you. This license must have been issued under requirements equivalent to
Delaware’s or you must be able to provide documentation that you have been actively practicing for
at least five of the past seven years. To apply for LCSW licensure by reciprocity, complete the
application packet. You will need to provide verification of your current license and past ASWB
scores. As of February 2019, reciprocity applicants must pay must pay a $183 application fee and $69
criminal background check fee.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
Delaware LCSW licenses expire on January 31 of every odd year. The renewal fee is $40 (as of
February 2019). You will receive an email reminder in the weeks leading up to the renewal date. To
be eligible for renewal, licensees must complete 45 hours of continuing education (CE) during each
renewal period. At least three of these CE hours must be in ethics, and no more than 10 hours can
come from self-study activities.
School Social Work specific info:
Delaware Specialist Certification
Florida
Florida Licensing Board
Social Work License:
If you hold a social work license in another state, you can apply for a license in Florida through the
“Applying by Endorsement” process. Applicants must provide the Board with verification of their
current license as well as documentation that they have met the requirements for a CMSW or LCSW
license, including official school transcripts, ASWB exam scores, and certification of completion of the
Florida laws and rules and HIV/AIDS courses (if applying for LCSW license). Applicants for LCSW
licensure by endorsement must complete the domestic violence course within six months of
achieving Florida state licensing. Fees for licensure by endorsement are $305 for CMSW applicants
and $180 for LCSW applicants.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
Florida social workers (both CMSWs and LCSWs) are required to renew their licenses by the end of
March during each odd-numbered year. The Board requires 30 hours of continuing education credits
for each renewal period. The Board requires certain courses for each renewal period, and other
courses must be taken every six years or third biennium. Courses are permitted to be taken by home-
study or online but must be approved by the Board. New licensees are exempt from the continuing
education requirement; no classes are required until after the first two years of licensure have
passed.
School Social Work specific info:
Florida School Social Work
Georgia
Georgia Licensing Board
Social Work License:
According to the Board, the state does not offer reciprocity licensure for LSWs or LCSWs. Social
workers wishing to transfer their license to the state of Georgia must have taken the ASWB Master’s
exam (for LMSWs) or Clinical exam (for LCSWs) and should have their scores transferred to the Board
from the ASWB. If you meet the criteria for LMSW or LCSW licensure in Georgia and have already
passed the required exam, submit the application for your level of licensure and indicate you are
applying for licensure by examination waiver. As part of this application, you will also need to provide
verification of your current license in another state.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
Due to changing laws and advances in practice, LMSWs and LCSWs are required to complete 35 hours
of continuing education every two years to renew their Georgia social work license. Of those hours,
five must be from in-person activities providing education in ethics. No more than 10 hours may be
acquired online. Licensed social workers can visit the National Association of Social Workers: Georgia
Chapter for a listing of continuing education offerings.
School Social Work specific info:
Georgia Board of Ed
Hawaii
Hawaii Licensing board
Social Work License:
The Department may enter into reciprocity agreements with states whose licensing requirements are
equivalent to Hawaii’s. However, if you are licensed in another state that does not have reciprocity
with Hawaii, you can still apply for social work licensure if you meet the requirements for the type of
license you are seeking. If you have already taken the required ASWB exam, you will not need to
repeat it but must provide documentation of your exam score. If you hold a license in another state,
you can apply for a Hawaii social work license by completing the application form for the license you
are seeking and providing any additional documentation requested by the Department. As of
February 2019, the base application fee for all levels of licensure is $60; additional license fees are
required and vary based on the type of license and time remaining in the renewal cycle.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
Social work licenses in Hawaii must be renewed every three years before June 30. All licensees must
complete 45 hours of continuing education (CE) during each renewal period, with at least three CE
hours in ethics. You are not required to complete any continuing education during your first renewal
cycle.
School Social Work specific info:
(supporting website)
Idaho
Idaho Licensing Board
Social Work License:
Idaho does not have formal reciprocity with any other state, but the Board offers licensure by
endorsement for social workers licensed in other states who do not have disciplinary actions against
them. This allows a social worker to become licensed in Idaho without having to repeat requirements
such as the licensure exam or supervised experience. To apply for licensure by endorsement,
complete the social work application and submit it to the Board with the $90 application fee (as of
February 2019). In addition to the documents required of all applicants, you will also need to provide
verification of your current license and past ASWB exam scores.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
Social workers in Idaho must renew their licenses annually. As of February 2019, renewal fees are $80
for LSWs and LMSWs and $90 for LCSWs. To renew your social work license, you must complete 20
hours of continuing education (CE) each year, including one hour in professional ethics. At least half
of the required CE hours must be from formal experiences such as seminars and workshops, while
any portion of the remainder can come from self-directed activities.
School Social Work specific info:
(supporting website)
Illinois
Illinois Licensing Board
Social Work License:
If you are licensed in another state and meet the requirements for LSW or LCSW licensure in Illinois,
you can apply for licensure by endorsement. To do this, you must submit an application along with
the supplemental documents needed for licensure by endorsement (e.g., verification of your current
license) and a $200 fee. You will also need to have your ASWB exam scores transferred to Illinois.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
A social work license in Illinois expires every two years. The expiration date is November 30th of each
odd-numbered year. To renew the license, you must submit a renewal application with a $60 fee and
proof of continuing education in the month before it expires. The continuing education requirement
is 30 hours of social work coursework every two years. This requirement is waived for the first time
that a license expires. Of the 30 hours, you must complete a minimum of three hours in ethics and
three hours in cultural competence.
https://www.socialworkguide.org/licensure/illinois/
School Social Work specific info:
Illinois School Social Work
Indiana
Indiana Licensing Board
Social Work License:
Individuals who hold a social work license in another state can apply for licensure in Indiana by
reciprocity. To be eligible, you must hold a valid social work license in another state, have no
disciplinary actions against you, and have previously passed the ASWB exam required for the level of
licensure you are seeking. To apply, complete the application for the Indiana license that corresponds
with the one you currently hold and pay the application fee. You will need to provide verification of
any social work licenses you hold and have ASWB exam scores transferred to the Board. If the Board
determines you meet the criteria for licensure by reciprocity, they will send you instructions for
completing a jurisprudence exam that must be passed before you can receive your full license.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
Licensed social workers must renew their licenses every two years and complete at least 20 hours of
continuing education (CE) hours per year, for a total of 40 hours during each renewal period. At least
10 hours per year must come from Category I activities, which the Board defines as “formal
programming” (e.g., workshops, seminars, courses). Up to 10 hours each year can come from
Category II activities, which encompasses self-directed learning activities (e.g., journal reading, case
conferences). At least one CE credit each year must come from a Category I activity in ethics and
professional topics. Social workers in Indiana can visit the The National Association of Social Workers
(NASW): Indiana Chapter for continuing education opportunities.
School Social Work specific info:
Indiana School Social Work
Iowa
Iowa Licensing Board
Social Work License: Social workers licensed in other states may apply for a license in Iowa by
submitting the application for the level of licensure they are seeking and paying the initial license fee
of $120 to the Board. To be eligible, you must have received your current license by meeting
requirements equivalent to those in Iowa. In addition to the application materials all applicants must
submit, you will also need to provide your previous ASWB exam scores and verification of your
current license.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements: Iowa social workers at all levels must
renew their licenses every two years. Fees for renewing a license depend on the license level; the
renewal fee for LBSWs is $72, the fee for LMSWs is $120, and the fee for LISWs is $144. During each
two-year renewal period, all social workers must complete 27 hours of continuing education. LISWs
who supervise other individuals must complete three hours of continuing education in supervision as
part of their 27 hours.
https://www.socialworkguide.org/licensure/iowa/
School Social Work specific info:
Iowa School Social Work Association
Kansas
Social Work License:
Kansas Licensing Board
While Kansas does not have formal reciprocity agreements with other states, the Board offers the
option of applying for licensure by reciprocity to social workers licensed in other jurisdictions. To
apply for licensure using this method, complete the Licensure Application through Reciprocity and
submit it to the Board with all required supplemental documents and the $100 application fee (as of
February 2019). In most cases, you will need to show that the requirements in the state you are
currently licensed in are equivalent to those in Kansas. However, exceptions may be made for clinical
social workers applying for LSCSW licenses who have been practicing for at least 10 years.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
Social work licenses in Kansas must be renewed every two years and expire on the last day of the
month in which they were originally issued. Renewals can be completed using the Board’s Application
for Renewal of Licensure or online through the Board’s license renewal portal. As of February 2019,
fees to renew are $100 for LBSWs, $125 for LMSWs, and $150 for LSCSWs.
All social workers in Kansas must also complete 40 hours of continuing education (CE) during each
renewal period. For LMSWs and LSCSWs, at least six of these hours must be in the assessment and
treatment of mental disorders. Additionally, social workers at all levels must complete six hours of
training in safety awareness as part of the 40 credits for their first license renewal. This does not need
to be repeated during subsequent renewal cycles.
School Social Work specific info:
Kansas School Social Work Association
Kentucky
Kentucky Licensing Board
Social Work License:
Kentucky does not have formal reciprocity for social work licensing with any other state. If you are
licensed as a social worker in a state other than Kentucky, you will have to apply to become a licensed
social worker using the same process first-time licensees use and pay the associated fees. As a part of
the application process, you must supply an official transcript, your official ASWB exam scores, and
verification from the state(s) where you previously held a license. If you are applying to become an
LCSW, you must provide documentation showing that you have either received 200 hours of
supervision from a licensed clinical social worker or have been practicing independently as a clinical
social worker for at least five years. For more information, see the Board’s frequently asked questions
about out-of-state applicants.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
All Kentucky social workers must renew their license every three years. As of January 2019, renewal
fees are $75 for an LSW, $125 for a CSW, and $200 for an LCSW. Social workers must complete the
online renewal form for their license and pay the associated fee. Before renewing, LSWs must
complete 15 hours of continuing education during each renewal period, while CSWs and LCSWs must
complete 40 hours. All licensees must complete at least six hours of continuing education in the
identification and management of suicidality.
School Social Work specific info:
(supporting website)
Louisiana
Louisiana Licensing Board
Social Work License:
Louisiana does not have formal reciprocity with any other state, but the Board offers social work
licensure by endorsement for social workers licensed in other jurisdictions. If your current license was
issued under requirements equivalent to (or more stringent than) Louisiana’s, you may be eligible for
this type of licensure. For licensure by endorsement, submit an application to the Board. As of
February 2019, application fees are $53 for the RSW, $78 for the LMSW, and $103 for the LCSW. You
will also need to complete a criminal background check, provide verification of your current license,
and have your ASWB exam scores sent to the Board.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
Louisiana social workers must renew their licenses every year by August 31. All social workers must
obtain 20 hours of continuing education (CE) per year, which includes at least three CE hours of
professional ethics every other year. LCSWs must complete 10 CE hours in clinical content as a part of
their 20 hours, and LCSW-BACS must complete three hours in supervision every two years. The
Louisiana Board of Examiners provides a listing of approved CE courses.
As of February 2019, the fees to renew a social work license are as follows:
● Registered Social Worker: $28
● Certified Social Worker: $53
● Licensed Master Social Worker: $53
● Licensed Clinical Social Worker: $78
Maine
Maine Licensing Board
Social Work License:
Out-of-state social workers can apply for licensure by reciprocity if they meet the requirements for a
Maine social work license. To apply, submit an application for the license level that you are seeking.
As of February 2019, all social work applications cost $116. Each application has a list of additional
documentation that out-of-state applicants must submit, such as the rules and regulations from their
current state and verification of their current license. You will also need to have your ASWB exam
scores sent to the Board.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
The Board requires social workers to renew their licenses every two years; note that the LCSW-C can
only be renewed once. Licenses are renewed online for a fee of $70 (as of February 2019). During
each renewal period, social workers must complete 25 hours of continuing education (CE), with four
of these hours being in ethics. LSW-C licensees must complete two additional hours in ethics and six
in psychosocial assessment as part of their 40 hours. For more information about CE requirements,
please see the Board’s CE handbook.
School Social Work specific info:
(supporting website)
Maryland
Maryland Licensing Board
Social Work License:
Maryland does not offer licensure reciprocity. However, if you are licensed by another state, you may
be able to obtain a Maryland social work license by endorsement. To be eligible, you must hold a
social work license that is equivalent to one offered by the Maryland Board and have passed an exam
to receive that license. If you have been practicing social work under a license for at least 1,000 hours
per year for five of the past 10 years, you can apply for licensure by endorsement by providing the
materials listed in the Board’s Endorsement for Greater than Five Years checklist. If you have not
been practicing this long, you can apply for licensure by endorsement by completing the items on the
Endorsement for Less than Five Years checklist but will need to provide more information about your
past training and experience.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
All social workers in Maryland must renew their licenses every other year by October 31; the fee
varies by type of license. During each renewal period, social workers must complete a certain amount
of continuing education (CE). LMSWs, LCSWs, and LCSW-Cs are required to complete 40 CE hours, and
LBSWs are required to complete 30 hours. At least half of the hours must come from “Category I”
activities, which are formal CE opportunities. Up to one half can come from “Category II” activities,
which are less structured. All social workers must complete at least three hours of CE on ethical, legal,
and professional issues. Social workers who are Board-approved supervisors must complete at least
three hours in the topic of supervision.
School Social Work specific info:
(supporting website)
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Licensing Board
Social Work License:
The Massachusetts Board offers licensure by reciprocity to applicants who are licensed and in good
standing in any of the ASWB’s member jurisdictions. Reciprocity allows social workers from other
jurisdictions to become licensed without retaking the exam and repeating the experience
requirements. To be eligible, the license you currently hold must have equivalent licensure
requirements and scope of practice as the Massachusetts social work license you are planning to
apply for. To apply for licensure by reciprocity, complete the Social Worker Licensure Application. You
will be required to provide professional references, your ASWB exam scores, verification of your
current license, and a transcript of your degree. Application fees for licensure by reciprocity vary
based on the license.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
All licensed social workers in Massachusetts are required to renew their licenses every two years. As a
prerequisite for renewal, licensed social workers must complete a certain number of continuing
education hours:
● LSWAs must complete at least 10 hours of continuing education
● LSWs must complete 15 hours of continuing education
● LCSWs must complete 20 hours of continuing education
● LICSWs must complete 30 hours of continuing education
During each renewal period, licensees must complete at least one course in domestic and sexual
violence. Renewal fees vary based on the license; refer to the Board’s fee schedule for the most
updated information.
School Social Work specific info:
(supporting website)
Michigan
Michigan Licensing Board
Social Work License:
Michigan offers prospective LBSWs and LMSWs the opportunity to apply by endorsement if they are
currently licensed and in good standing in another state. To apply for licensure by endorsement,
complete the Board’s application form. Note that you will need to have your ASWB exam scores
transferred to the Michigan Board. The fee for this application is $42.40 (as of December 2018).
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
All permanent social work registrations and licenses must be renewed every three years. Additionally,
Michigan requires all LBSWs and LMSWs to complete 45 hours of continuing education (CE) during
each three-year renewal period. Five of the 45 required CE hours must be in ethics and one hour
must be in pain and pain symptom management. At least half of the required CE hours must be
earned through in-person activities (i.e., not online or through home study). The Michigan Social
Work CE Collaborative is a helpful resource for understanding the Board’s CE requirements and
finding qualifying activities.
LSSTs, RSSTs, LLBSWs, and LLMSWs are not required to complete continuing education activities.
However, RSST credentials must be renewed every three years. All limited licenses and registrations
are intended to be temporary and do not follow the three-year renewal cycle of permanent
credentials; however, you can submit a renewal request to the Board if you need a longer period of
time to complete the requirements for full licensure or registration.
School Social Work specific info:
Michigan School Social Work
Minnesota
Minnesota Licensing Board
Social Work License:
The Board allows applicants licensed in other jurisdictions to apply for licensure by endorsement in
Minnesota. To be eligible for licensure by endorsement, candidates must have a current social work
license in another state, meet the educational prerequisites for a Minnesota social work license, and
have passed the required ASWB exam. LSW and LGSW applicants do not have to provide
documentation of any supervised hours but must obtain 100 hours of supervision once licensed in
Minnesota. LISW and LICSW applicants do not have to provide documentation of the required 100
and 200 (respectively) pre-licensure supervision hours if they have completed at least 4,000 hours of
supervised work experience. To apply for licensure by endorsement, follow the steps outlined on the
Board’s application checklist. Application fees are $85 for all endorsement applicants.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
All social work licenses in Minnesota must be renewed every two years. A list of renewal forms and
fees can be found on the Board’s website. All licensees must document 40 continuing education (CE)
hours on their renewal form, including two hours in ethics, during each 24-month renewal term.
LICSWs must complete 24 of the 40 CE hours in clinical topics, and supervisors must complete six of
the 40 hours in supervision. Independent study can constitute 15 of the 40 CE hours for all licensees.
Read more about acceptable activities on the Board’s CE page.
School Social Work specific info:
Minnesota School Social Work
Mississippi
Mississippi Licensing Board
Social Work License:
The Board offers licensure by reciprocity for individuals who are licensed and in good standing in
other states. To receive a license by reciprocity, you must meet all criteria for the Mississippi social
work license for which you are applying, including completion of the required ASWB exam and
supervised experience for LCSW licensure. To apply, complete an Initial License Application and
include all supplemental documentation listed in the Reciprocity Application Checklist. Total fees vary
based on the level of licensure and are outlined on the Board’s checklist.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
Mississippi social work licenses must be renewed every two years. License renewals can be
completed on the Board’s website. As of February 2019, renewal fees are $70 for the LSW and $100
for the LMSW and the LCSW. The Board also requires all individuals with social work licenses in
Mississippi to complete 40 hours of continuing education (CE) during each two-year renewal period.
These 40 hours must include four hours of ethics and two hours of cultural diversity. Visit the Board’s
continuing education page for details about types of qualifying activities and approved CE providers.
School Social Work specific info:
(supporting website)
Missouri
Missouri Licensing Board
Social Work License:
Missouri offers licensure by reciprocity for social workers licensed in other states who meet the
criteria for one of the Missouri social work licenses. To be eligible, you must have been licensed in
your current state for at least five years with no disciplinary actions against you. To apply, complete
the Application for Licensure by Reciprocity and provide the required supplemental documentation
(e.g, ASWB exam scores, verification of current license). As of January 2019, the fee for applying for
licensure by reciprocity is $60.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
Missouri social workers must renew their licenses every two years. During each renewal period,
licensed social workers must complete 30 hours of continuing education (CE) activities. Three of these
hours must be in professional ethics and two must be in suicide prevention. In addition to organized
CE activities, social workers can also earn hours through self-directed activities such as publishing
academic works or giving presentations. For more information about the Committee’s CE
requirements, see their continuing education guidelines document.
School Social Work specific info:
Missouri School Social Work Association
Montana
Montana Licensing Board
Social Work License:
The Board offers licensure by endorsement to candidates who are licensed as clinical social workers
in other states under qualifications equivalent to Montana’s and have been practicing for at least two
years. To apply, complete an application through the online portal or mail an application form to the
Board. In addition to the information required from all applicants, you will need to provide
verification of your current license, past ASWB Clinical exam scores, and documentation of having
completed 3,000 hours of supervised experience. The LCSW application fee is $200 (as of February
2019) and there is an additional $30 fee for the required criminal background check. The Board may
issue a temporary license to an endorsement applicant after an initial review of their application that
allows them to practice until the application has been fully processed and a license has been issued.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
Montana SWLCs and LCSWs must renew their licenses every year by December 31. SWLCs are not
required to complete any continuing education (CE) for renewal, but LCSWs must complete 20 hours
during each renewal period. Up to 10 CE hours can be earned from activities such as preparing
manuscripts or presentations. Renewals can be completed through the online portal or by submitting
the renewal form for your license. As of February 2019, renewal fees are $100 for SWLCs and $175
for LCSWs.
School Social Work specific info:
(supporting website)
Nebraska
Social Work License:
Nebraska Licensing Board
The state of Nebraska does not have formal reciprocity with any other state, but the Department will
issue social work credentials to out-of-state social workers who meet Nebraska’s credentialing
standards and have been practicing under their current licenses for at least one year. To apply for a
social work credential by reciprocity, complete the application form corresponding with the level of
certification or licensure you are seeking. The fee for a social work credential by reciprocity will vary
based on the time of year that you are submitting your application as well as which credential you are
seeking. Along with your application, you will need to submit verification of your current license and
your past ASWB exam scores.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
All social work credentials in Nebraska need to be renewed every two years by September 1. The
Department will mail you renewal instructions in the weeks leading up to the renewal date. All
credentialed social workers are required to complete 32 hours of continuing education during each
renewal period; if you hold an LMHP or LIMHP license, at least two of these hours must be in ethics.
As of February 2019, renewal fees depend on the combination of credentials you hold and can be
found on the Department’s fee schedule.
School Social Work specific info:
(supporting website)
Nevada
Nevada Licensing Board
Social Work License:
Nevada allows social workers licensed and in good standing in other jurisdictions to apply for
licensure by endorsement. This method allows social workers to become licensed in Nevada without
having to repeat the licensure exams or supervised experience. LSW applicants and LISW/LCSW
applicants who have been working under their current licenses for at least five years can apply for
equivalent Nevada licensure with minimal additional documentation. LISW and LCSW applicants who
have been practicing for fewer than five years will need to provide documentation of Board-approved
supervised experience. To apply for licensure by endorsement, follow the steps described above
(except the exam and supervised experience requirements) for the license that you are seeking. In
addition to these steps, you must have the ASWB send your exam scores to the Nevada Board and
submit the license verification form for each state in which you are licensed.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
Social workers in Nevada must renew their licenses every year on the last day of their birth month.
Although licenses are renewed yearly, continuing education (CE) requirements are on two-year
cycles. Every two years, LSWs must complete a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education (CE), 10
of which must relate to the specific field of practice of the licensee. LISWs and LCSWs must complete
at least 36 CE hours, 12 of which must be in the licensee’s field of practice. All social workers must
complete two CE hours in suicide prevention and four CE hours in social work ethics.
School Social Work specific info:
Nevada School Social Work
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Licensing Board
Social Work License:
New Hampshire does not offer licensure by reciprocity or endorsement. Those who are licensed in
another state will need to complete the application process described above and provide verification
of their current license using the form on the Board’s LICSW application. You do not have to repeat
the ASWB Clinical exam if you have already passed it but will need to request that the ASWB send
your scores to the Board.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
Social work licenses must be renewed every two years in New Hampshire. As of February 2019, the
LICSW renewal fee is $270. During each two-year renewal period, candidates must complete 40 hours
of continuing education (CE). 30 of these hours must come from Category A activities, which include
seminars and workshops by Board-approved organizations, graduate coursework, and peer-reviewed
publications. Up to 10 credits can come from Category B activities, which include organized CE
activities by organizations not approved by the Board. In addition to these requirements, at least six
of an LICSW’s Category A hours must be related to ethics.
School Social Work specific info:
New Hampshire School Social Work
New Jersey
New Jersey Licensing Board
Social Work License:
The New Jersey Board has no official reciprocity agreements with other states. However, candidates
who hold a social work license in another state may apply for a New Jersey social work credential by
endorsement if they meet the Board’s education and training requirements to become a CSW, LSW,
or LCSW. If you are interested in applying for a certificate or license by endorsement, complete the
application form that corresponds with the credential you are seeking. In addition to the materials
required of all applicants, you will need to provide verification of your current license and have any
ASWB exam scores transferred to the New Jersey Board. The fee for all applications by endorsement
is $75 as of December 2018.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
All licensed social workers must renew their licenses every two years in New Jersey. Although each
license or certificate has different continuing education requirements, social workers of all levels
must complete five hours of continuing education in ethics and three hours related to competence in
social and cultural issues. Below are the continuing education requirements specific to each social
work credential:
● CSWs must complete 20 hours of continuing education during each renewal period. If
more than 20 credits are earned, up to four can be applied to the next renewal period.
● LSWs must complete 30 hours of continuing education during each renewal period. If
more than 30 credits are earned, up to six can be applied to the next renewal period.
● LCSWs must complete 40 hours of continuing education during each renewal period. At
least 20 credits must be related to clinical social work practice. If more than 40 credits are
earned, up to eight can be applied to the next renewal period
School Social Work specific info:
New Jersey School Social Work
New Mexico
New Mexico Licensing Board
Social Work License:
New Mexico offers licensure by reciprocity for social workers licensed in other states, allowing them
to earn an equivalent New Mexico social work license without having to repeat requirements such as
the national exam or supervised experience. To become licensed using this method, you must have
held your current license for at least five years and you must meet the New Mexico Board’s
requirements for licensure. To apply, complete the application form for the level of licensure you are
seeking and submit it with the Verification of Licensure form. You must also request that the ASWB
send your past exam scores to the Board. All reciprocity applicants will need to complete the
jurisprudence exam and provide proof of having taken a New Mexico culture course before receiving
a license.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
All New Mexico social work licenses must be renewed by July 1st every two years. The renewal fees
(as of February 2019) are $100 for LBSWs, $150 for LMSWs, and $200 for LCSWs. 30 hours of
continuing education (CE) are required during each renewal period, six of which must be in cultural
awareness.
School Social Work specific info:
New Mexico School Social Work
New York
New York Licensing Board
Social Work License:
There is no reciprocity for an LMSW in New York; however, if you hold a license from another state
you may qualify for licensing if you meet all the requirements, which includes passing the ASWB
Master’s exam. There is reciprocity for LCSWs in New York. If you have been certified as a clinical
social worker in another state and have completed at least 10 years of practice within the last 15
years, you qualify to apply for licensure by endorsement in New York. For this, you will need to
submit an application and include supplemental material to verify your education, past ASWB Clinical
exam scores, current license status, and active practice within the past 15 years. As of December
2018, application and licensing fees for LCSW licensure by endorsement are $294.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
Both clinical and master social work licenses must be renewed in New York every three years
(triennially). Both LMSWs and LCSWs must complete 36 hours of approved continuing education
courses. No more than 12 of those hours per three-year period can be self-study. The regular renewal
fee is $179 as of December 2018. New licensees are exempt from the continuing education
requirement for the first three years of licensure.
https://www.socialworkguide.org/licensure/new-york/
School Social Work specific info:
New York School Social Work
North Carolina
North Carolina Licensing Board
Social Work License:
While the Board does not offer automatic licensure for social work license holders from other states,
they do review each application on a case-by-case basis and may offer licensure and certification by
substantial equivalency for licensees of other states determined to have licensing standards that are
in line with North Carolina’s. If you believe you meet criteria for this type of licensure, you can
complete the application packet, filling out the forms for substantial equivalency for your level of
licensure or certification. As part of this application, you will need to provide verification of your
current license and have your ASWB exam scores transferred to the Board.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
Licensed or certified social workers in the state of North Carolina are required to renew their licenses
every two years, with licenses expiring on June 30 of the second year after they were issued (LCSWA
licenses expire two years after issue). A total of 40 clock hours of continuing education (CE) must be
accumulated during each renewal period, except for first-time licensees whose initial term is less than
two years, who must complete a minimum of 30 CE hours during that time. Four hours of the total CE
hours must be focused on ethics.
School Social Work specific info:
North Carolina School Social Work
North Dakota
North Dakota Licensing Board
Social Work License:
The Board offers reciprocity for out-of-state social workers who were licensed under requirements
equivalent to or more stringent than North Dakota’s. To apply, submit an application form or
complete the application through the online portal. In addition to the materials all licensure
applicants must provide (including fingerprints for a background check), reciprocity applicants must
also submit a license verification form and a copy of the social work laws and rules for the state in
which they are currently licensed. As of March 2019, the total application and license fees are $100.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
All North Dakota social work licenses expire on December 31 of odd-numbered years. To renew,
licensees must mail renewal paperwork to the Board or submit it online by November 15 of the
renewal year. As of March 2019, the renewal fee for all licenses is $75. Before each renewal deadline,
applicants must complete 30 hours of continuing education (CE). Up to 10 CE hours can be from
distance learning or self-study activities, but the remainder must be in-person. At least two of the
total 20 hours must address the topic of social work ethics.
School Social Work specific info:
(supporting website)
Ohio
Ohio Licensing Board
Social Work License:
The Board has no formal reciprocity agreements with other states and you will need to submit an
application as a new licensee. However, you can apply past ASWB exam scores and supervised
experience to Ohio social work license applications. The Board has guidelines for applicants with out-
of-state licenses that may be helpful if you are in this situation.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
All licensed social workers in Ohio must renew their licenses every two years. To be eligible for
renewal, you must complete 30 hours of continuing education activities that are pre-approved by the
Board during each two-year renewal period. Three of these hours must be in topics related to ethics,
and individuals holding an LISW-S license must also complete three hours of continuing education in
supervision. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW): Ohio Chapter provides a listing of
continuing education opportunities online and throughout the state.
School Social Work specific info:
Ohio School Social Work Association
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Licensing Board
Social Work License:
The Board allows those licensed in a different state and with a current license in good standing to
apply for an Oklahoma social work license. If the Board has an established agreement with the state
in which you are currently licensed, they may grant you a license by reciprocity. Even if your state
does not have an agreement with the Oklahoma Board, however, you can apply for licensure by
endorsement. This means that you may be eligible for an Oklahoma social work license if your
previous license was granted under equivalent or more stringent requirements than those mandated
by the Oklahoma Board.
To apply for licensure by one of these methods, you must complete the Application for Social Work
Licensure. In addition, you must contact the jurisdiction of your current license to complete the
Verification of Licensure form and send it to the Board. You will also need to contact the ASWB to
request that your exam scores be transferred to the Board. Once your application has been approved
by the Board, you will be eligible to practice social work in the state of Oklahoma.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
All Oklahoma social workers must renew their licenses every two years, providing evidence to the
Board at that time of the completion of at least 16 hours of continuing education (CE) hours per
specialty, with three of those hours being in ethics. You can find a full list of Board-approved CE
providers here The license renewal fee is $100 (as of January 2019), with a $50 late fee for those who
do not renew on time.
School Social Work specific info:
(supporting website)
Oregon
Oregon Licensing Board
Social Work License:
The Board does not offer reciprocity for social workers licensed by other states. However, they will
accept prior ASWB exam scores and qualifying supervised work experience so that these
requirements do not need to be repeated. If you are licensed as a social worker in another state and
would like to become licensed in Oregon, follow the steps above to submit an application for your
level of licensure. With this application, submit verification of your current license and (if applicable)
documentation of any required supervised hours. Also be sure to request that the ASWB transfer
your exam scores to the Oregon Board. If the Board reviews your application and determines you
have met all the requirements for licensure, they will issue your Oregon social work license.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
CSWA licenses in Oregon must be renewed every year, while RBSW, LMSW, and LCSW credentials
must be renewed every two years. All credentials can be renewed online and each carries a different
fee. RBSWs, LCSWs, and LMSWs are all required to complete continuing education (CE) credits before
renewing:
● RBSWs must complete 20 CE credits during each renewal period, with at least six in ethics;
no credits can be carried over to next renewal period
● LMSWs must complete 30 CE credits during each renewal period, with at least six in
ethics; no credits can be carried over to next renewal period
● LCSWs must complete 40 CE credits during each renewal period, with at least six in ethics;
up to 10 credits can be carried over to next renewal period
● CSWAs do not need to complete CE credits before renewing.
School Social Work specific info:
Portland State University
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Licensing Board
Social Work License:
Pennsylvania has no formal reciprocity for social work licensing with any other state. If an LSW or
LCSW was not originally licensed in Pennsylvania, he or will have to apply for a state license by:
● Meeting all of the standard qualifications for licensure as stated above
● Providing a letter from the candidate’s home jurisdiction Board acknowledging his or her
license, certification, and ongoing practice while reporting any violations
● Proving that the ASWB exam taken in his or her home jurisdiction aligns with the exam
offered in the state of Pennsylvania and the score received would indicate a passing score
in Pennsylvania
If a candidate is registered on the ASWB Social Work Registry, ASWB will provide their exam score to
any social work board at no additional cost.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
LSWs and LCSWs must renew their licenses every two years and pay a fee of $95. To be eligible for
renewal, LSWs and LCSWs have to earn 30 hours of continuing education during that time period.
Three of the 30 hours need to be in ethics-related subjects. Check the Pennsylvania Code for a list of
preapproved providers of continuing education. Up to 20 hours can be completed online or via home-
study.
School Social Work specific info:
Bryn Mawr School Social Work
Rhode Island
Rhode Island Licensing Board
Social Work License:
If you are a licensed social worker in another state but considering employment in Rhode Island, you
may be interested in transferring your license. If you are seeking non-clinical social work positions,
you do not need to pursue licensure in Rhode Island. However, out-of-state social workers interested
in clinical positions in Rhode Island must become licensed. The Board offers licensure by
endorsement to social workers from other states who hold licenses that have requirements
equivalent to Rhode Island’s LCSW or LICSW criteria. Licensure by endorsement allows these
candidates to earn a license without having to repeat requirements such as the ASWB exam or
supervised experience. To apply, complete the Board’s application form and submit it with the $70
fee (as of February 2019). In addition to the documentation required of all applicants (such as official
transcripts and a copy of your photo ID), you must submit verification of your current license and
have the ASWB send your past exam scores to the Board.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
LCSWs and LICSWs must renew their licenses every two years for a fee of $70 (as of February 2019).
The Board mails renewal reminders to social workers 60 days before the renewal date. Both types of
licensed social workers are required to complete 30 hours of continuing education (CE) every renewal
period. Of these 30 hours, three hours must address cross-cultural topics and three must address
professional ethics. Up to six hours can be earned by supervising BSW or MSW students in CSWE-
accredited programs. At least 22 CE hours must be earned in-person, while up to eight hours can be
earned through online programs or other types of distance learning.
School Social Work specific info:
Rhode Island School Social Work
South Carolina
South Carolina Licensing Board
Social Work License:
South Carolina does not have any formal license reciprocity with any other state; however, the Board
does accept applications from out-of-state social workers. To apply for licensure in South Carolina,
complete the steps listed above for the level of licensure that is equivalent to the license you
currently hold. You will not need to repeat any requirements you have already met, such as the
licensure exam or supervised experience. However, you will need to provide documentation of past
ASWB exam scores and verification that your current license is in good standing. All South Carolina
social work applications cost $45 as of February 2019.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
The Board requires that social workers renew their license every two years. In order to renew, social
workers must complete 40 hours of continuing education (CE). At least 20 of these hours must be
provided by a trained social worker with a BSW, MSW, or DSW; up to 20 hours can come from other
sources. See the Board’s continuing education page for more information about CE requirements and
approved providers. As of February 2019, the fee to renew all social worker licenses in South Carolina
is $90.
School Social Work specific info:
(supporting website)
South Dakota
South Dakota Licensing Board
Social Work License:
Individuals with out-of-state social work licenses may be eligible for licensure by endorsement in
South Dakota. This allows applicants to obtain a social work license without having to repeat exams
or supervised experience requirements. If you meet the requirements for one of South Dakota’s
social work licenses, you can apply for licensure by endorsement by submitting the application packet
and cover letter to the Board. In addition to the documentation required from all applicants,
candidates for licensure by endorsement must include verification of their current license and past
ASWB exam scores. CSW-PIP applicants will need to provide verification of supervised experience.
Application fees vary based on level of licensure.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
All South Dakota social work licenses expire on January 1st of the second year after they are issued.
As of February 2019, renewal fees are $90 for SWAs, $130 for SWs, $170 for CSWs, and $210 for
CSW-PIPs. To renew your social work license, you must prove you have completed at least 30 hours of
continuing education (CE) within the two-year period. There are no specific topics or types of CE
required as long as the training relates to social work practice or ethics at your level of practice. All CE
must be provided by either an academic institution or an organization approved by the Board. No
more than 10 hours may be distance or independent learning.
School Social Work specific info:
(supporting website)
Tennessee
Tennessee Licensing Board
Social Work License:
Tennessee offers reciprocity to social workers licensed in other states if they meet the Board’s
educational and training requirements for the Tennessee social work license they are seeking. If you
are seeking licensure by reciprocity in Tennessee, you will need to complete the appropriate
application for your level of licensure and submit it to the Board. You will need to include a number of
supporting documents, including verification of your current license, past licensing exam scores, and
materials verifying your training and education. If the Board determines that you meet criteria for
licensure, you will be granted a Tennessee social work license without having to repeat the licensing
exam or any required supervised experience.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
Social workers in Tennessee must renew their licenses every two years. All social workers must
participate in continuing education activities before renewing, but each license requires a different
number of hours and educational content. Although renewal periods are two years long, a certain
number of hours must be earned during each individual year to qualify for renewal.
School Social Work specific info:
University of Tennessee Knoxville
Texas
Texas Licensing Board
Social Work License:
While Texas has no formal reciprocity with other states, if you have been licensed in another state via
the ASWB Exam, you may be eligible to waive the exam to become licensed in Texas. You will need to
complete the Verification of Licensure in Another Jurisdiction (Form II) and meet all criteria for the
category of social work for which you are applying.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
Every two years, you will need to renew your license in the state of Texas. Renewal fees as of
December 2018 are $86.00 for LBSWs and LMSWs and $106.00 for LMSW-APs and LCSWs. Keep in
mind that penalty fees may apply if you let your license expire. Continuing education is also required
to keep your license up-to-date. A total of 30 hours of continuing education must be completed every
24 months leading up to the renewal. During each renewal period, six of the required 24 continuing
education hours must be completed in the topics of ethics and values related to the practice of social
work.
School Social Work specific info:
(supporting website)
Utah
Utah Licensing Board
Social Work License:
Utah does not have formal reciprocity with any other state in the US. If you were a licensed social
worker in another state, you must apply for social work licensure by endorsement. To qualify, you
must meet the criteria for licensure under Utah’s laws. If you are applying for a Utah LCSW license,
you must also have been practicing under your current license for at least 4,000 hours (1,000 of these
hours must be in mental health treatment). To apply, complete the application for the level of
licensure you are seeking. Note that you will need to provide documentation of passing ASWB exam
scores and verification of your current license.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
Utah social workers must renew their licenses every two years; the number of continuing education
(CE) hours required depends on the license you hold. LCSWs must complete 40 CE hours and SSWs
must complete 20 CE hours; both types of social workers must complete three hours in professional
ethics and two in suicide prevention. CSWs are not required to complete any CE before renewing
their licenses.
Fees to renew a social work license in Utah also vary based on level of licensure. As of January 2019,
LCSWs and CSWs must pay $93 and SSWs must pay $78 to renew. Social workers can renew licenses
online or by mail.
School Social Work specific info:
Utah School Social Work
Vermont
Social Work License:
Vermont Licensing Board
The OPR offers options for out-of-state social workers hoping to become licensed in Vermont.
Individuals who hold an active license in another state with requirements at least equal to Vermont’s
can apply for licensure by endorsement. Individuals who hold a license that does not meet Vermont’s
requirements can apply under the “five-year rule” if they have been practicing at least 1,200 hours
per year for the past five years and have no disciplinary actions against them. Applicants seeking
licensure through either of these methods should submit an application through the online license
portal, pay the $100 application fee (as of March 2019), and submit the jurisprudence exam and
Verification of Licensure form. The online application will provide instructions for additional
documentation you must submit, which will likely include past ASWB exam scores.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
Social work licenses in Vermont expire every two years and can be renewed using the OPR licensing
system. During each renewal period, LICSWs are required to complete 20 hours of continuing
education (CE). 15 of these hours must be completed in person and one-and-a-half hours must be in
ethics. LMSWs are required to complete 10 hours of CE, all of which must be in-person, with at least
one-and-a-half hours in ethics.
School Social Work specific info:
Vermont School Social Work
Virginia
Virginia Licensing Board
Social Work License:
Virginia has no formal reciprocity with any other state, but the Board allows licensure by
endorsement. When applying for licensure by endorsement, LSWs and LCSWs use their exam scores
and experience gained in another state to obtain their social work license in Virginia. In order to
qualify for a license by endorsement, candidates must have an active social work license in another
state and meet the Virginia Board’s educational and training requirements for LSW or LCSW licensure.
To apply for licensure by endorsement, complete the online application for the level of licensure you
are seeking. This application will include a checklist of supporting documentation you will need to
provide, including verification of your current license and previous ASWB exam scores.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
LSWs and LCSWs must renew their licenses every two years. To be eligible for renewal, LCSWs have to
complete 30 hours of continuing education (CE), while LSWs are required to complete 15 CE hours.
For both LSW and LCSW licenses, at least two hours must be in the area of social work ethics,
regulations, or laws. The Board allows licensees to earn hours from two different categories of
activities. As of December 2018, LSW renewal fees are $65 and LCSW renewal fees are $95.
School Social Work specific info:
Virginia School Social Work
Washington
Washington Licensing Board
Social Work License:
The Washington Health Department does not offer any formal reciprocity with any other states. If
you hold a license in another state and would like to become licensed in Washington, you can submit
an LASW or LICSW application to the Washington State Department of Health if you meet the
requirements for licensure in Washington (including the appropriate number of supervised hours). If
you have previously passed the ASWB exam required for your level of licensure, you will need to have
your scores transferred to Washington so that you are not required to complete the exam again.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
LASWs, LICSWs, and associate social workers must renew their licenses every year no later than their
date of birth. The Department requires that LASWs and LICSWs complete 36 hours of continuing
education every two years. Six of the 36 hours must be in ethical and legal topics. Every six years, all
licensed social workers must complete six hours of training in the recognition and management of
suicidality. Associate social workers (LSWAAs and LSWAICs) are also required to complete continuing
education but on a different schedule. Renewal of these licenses requires completion of 18
continuing education hours every year. Every two years, six of these hours must be in ethical and
legal topics. Before receiving their permanent licenses, associate social work licensees will be
required to show that they have completed 36 hours of continuing education. As of December 2018,
the renewal fee for LASWs and LICSWs is $116, the fee for LSWAAs is $25, and the fee for LSWAICs is
$41.
School Social Work specific info:
Washington School Social Work
Washington D.C.
Washington D.C. Licensing Board
Social Work License:
The Board allows social workers to apply for licensure by endorsement if they hold an out-of-state
license in good standing that was earned under requirements at least equivalent to DC’s. To apply,
you must submit the New License Application form to the Board and include all required
supplemental documentation for the license you are seeking. You will also need to include
verification of your current license and have the ASWB send your exam scores to the Board. As of
March 2019, all licensure by endorsement applications cost $230.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
Social work licenses in DC expire biennially on July 31 of every odd-numbered year. To renew their
licenses, social workers must complete 40 hours of continuing education (CE) hours during each two-
year period. Of the 40 required CE hours, six must be in ethics and two must be on LGBTQ topics. No
more than 12 CE hours may include home study, online courses, or any other independent study; all
of the required ethics CE hours must be completed in person. As of March 2019, the fee to renew all
social work licenses was $145.
School Social Work specific info:
D.C. School Social Work
West Virginia
West Virginia Licensing Board
Social Work License:
West Virginia does not have formal reciprocity with any other state. The Board will issue social work
licenses to out-of-state applicants provided they meet the education and experience requirements
for the level of licensure they are seeking. If you have already passed the required exam, you will not
need to repeat it but must provide verification of past ASWB test scores. Out-of-state candidates
interested in a West Virginia social work license should review the application page and contact the
Board to request an application form. The application fee for all levels of licensure is $100 as of
February 2019.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
In West Virginia, social work licenses must be renewed every two years and social workers must
complete 40 continuing education (CE) hours during that time period. At least 20 of these hours must
be from organized CE programs, termed “Category I” by the Board. Up to 20 hours can be from self-
study (“Category II”) activities. Of the required Category I hours, at least two must be on the mental
health of veterans and their family members and one must be related to ethics. You can read more
about CE requirements and see a list of approved providers on the Board’s continuing education
page. As of February 2019, the fee to renew a social work license was $85.
School Social Work specific info:
(supporting website)
Wisconsin
Social Work License:
Wisconsin Licensing Board
The Wisconsin Board recognizes reciprocity for social workers already licensed or credentialed in
another state. They will review each application on an individual basis, and generally accept
candidates from states with substantially equivalent licensing standards. To apply for reciprocity, you
will use the application form corresponding to your desired licensing level, pay the fee ($160 as of
January 2019), submit verification of your current credentials, pass the Wisconsin law exam, and
submit the rules and regulations of your state of licensure to the Board for review.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
All social work credentials in Wisconsin expire at the end of February in every odd-numbered year.
Licenses can be renewed online for a fee of $85. Before renewing a Wisconsin social work credential,
you must complete 30 continuing education (CE) hours during each two-year renewal period. Four of
the 30 required hours must be in ethics and professional boundaries. All CE hours must be approved
by Board-recognized organizations. More information can be found on the Board’s continuing
education page.
School Social Work specific info:
Wisconsin School Social Work Association
Wyoming
Wyoming Licensing Board
Social Work License:
If you hold a social work license in another state but would like to practice in Wyoming, the Board
offers licensure by reciprocity for CSWs and LCSWs. To be eligible, you must hold an out-of-state
social work license in good standing. This license must have issued under requirements equivalent to
or more stringent than Wyoming’s. To obtain a license by reciprocity, you must submit a complete
reciprocity application to the Board with the application fee (as of March 2019, $300 for CSWs and
$350 for LCSWs). You will also be required to provide verification of your current license and ASWB
exam scores. The Board will notify you when they have reviewed your application and determine
whether you are eligible for licensure by reciprocity.
Licensing Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements:
Wyoming social work certifications and licenses expire every other year on the licensee’s birthday. To
renew, you must submit the renewal application to the Board prior to your license’s expiration date.
As of March 2019, renewal fees are $100 for CSWs and $125 for LCSWs. CSWs and LCSWs are
required to complete at least 45 hours of continuing education (CE) during each two-year renewal
period. CE activities must contribute to your professional knowledge and be presented by someone
with a graduate degree. You can also earn up to six CE credits giving presentations on mental health
topics.
School Social Work specific info:
(supporting website)
