Licensure Information

Licensure Information 

Registering for the Masters Exam

Licensing is a state function and each state has different requirements. As a result, you must first check with your jurisdiction’s social work board and obtain their approval before registering for the exam. To get started, review your state’s social work licensure requirements. This website provides an overview for each state as well as links to the social work board for each state.

Once you have your board’s approval, you can move forward with registering to take the test. There is a fee of $230 and the exam is scheduled for multiple dates at testing sites across the United States. For complete instructions on how to register, please reference the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Candidate Examination Handbook.

Applying for Licensure

After passing the exam, your next step is to apply for licensure through your jurisdiction’s social work board. Again, a listing of social work boards by state can be found here.

Students remaining in Illinois should contact the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). You may access the IDFPR social work page here or go directly to the licensure instructions and application. Once you have downloaded the application, follow the instructions for “Acceptance of Examination” on page four of the document.

Becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker

After 3,000 hours (approximately 2 years) of post-master’s degree supervised clinical work, you will be eligible to sit for the Clinical Exam which allows social workers to practice independently. Only experience supervised by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker will meet the professional experience requirement.

You will have the necessary knowledge to pass the LSW exam when you graduate if you have taken the courses in the clinical concentration. Students who find multiple choice tests challenging may find it helpful to take a review course. SSA’s Professional Development Program offers a review session two times per year.