LCSW License Requirements
This information is a brief outline of the license requirements for someone who wants to pursue licensure as an LCSW in the State of California. For more detailed information, please refer to Navigating the LCSW Licensing Process.
Education Requirements
Masters in Social Work from an accredited school of social work.
Additional Coursework required prior to the licensing examination:
- Child Abuse Assessment and Reporting (7 hours)
- Human Sexuality (10 hours)
- Substance Abuse and Dependency (15 hours)
- Spousal Abuse Assessment and Reporting (15 hours for those who entered degree program after 1/1/2004; Course can be any length for those who entered a degree program from 1/1/1995 to 12/31/2003)
- Aging and Long Term Care (10 Hours only for those who entered a degree program on or after 1/1/2004; For all others this is not a pre-licensure requirement)
Experience Requirements
- 104 weeks of supervision
- 3200 hours of supervised work experience
See the LCSW Breakdown of Required Experience for further information.
All required supervised experience gained in California must be accrued while registered with the Board as an Associate Clinical Social Worker.
Examination Information
Once an applicant meets all requirements, and the Board reviews and approves the application for examination eligibility, the applicant will receive an eligibility notice to take the LCSW Standard Written Examination. The eligibility notice indicates that the examination candidate must take the examination within one year of becoming eligible. Upon passing the Standard Written Examination, the applicant must pass a LCSW Written Clinical Vignette Examination.
When in the exam cycle, the applicant must take an examination within one year of failing an examination or within one year of passing the Standard Written Examination. Once an applicant passes both examinations, he or she must apply for an Initial License Issuance within one year of passing the Clinical Vignette Examination in order to receive a license number.
