Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Information for Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW) and
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Applicants
- Education
- Master’s degree in Social Work from an accredited school of social work
- Electronic Transcripts
- Additional Coursework
For a list of required courses, see the “Application Instructions” within each ASW Registration Application and Application for LCSW Licensure packet in the sections below
- Register as an ASW
Applicants cannot accrue postdegree supervised experience in California without registering with the Board, except under the 90-day rule.
- Fingerprint Requirement
- Live Scan available only in California.
- Results submitted to DOJ and FBI electronically
- Live Scan Request Form
- Additional information including hard cards for applicants outside of California
- Criminal Background Check
- Evaluation of the applicant’s criminal history is part of the application process
- See the Criminal Convictions section for more information
- Criminal Conviction FAQ
- Take and Pass the California Law & Ethics Exam
- Exam must be TAKEN annually (until passed) to renew ASW Registration
- Exam must be PASSED to receive a subsequent ASW Registration
- LCSW Law and Ethics Exam Candidate Handbook
- Request for Initial Law & Ethics Examination
- Request for Re-Examination
- Law and Ethics Examination FAQ
- Accrue Supervised Experience
- Applicants cannot accrue supervised experience in California without registering as an ASW with the Board, except under the 90-day rule.
- 90-Day Rule FAQ
- 3,000 total supervised hours, over 104 weeks (minimum)
- Hours must be submitted with the Application for Licensure
- For important information that will help ensure your hours will count toward licensure, be sure to read the following publications:
- Take and Pass the ASWB Clinical Exam
- All requirements above must be fulfilled before clinical exam eligibility will be approved.
- Application for LCSW Licensure (IN-STATE)
- Out-of-State Applicants – see the Out-of-State Applicants drop down menu below.
- Exam Candidate Handbook
- Register Exam with ASWB
- More Exam Info
- Obtain LCSW license
Applicants must request license and pay an initial license fee within one year after passing Clinical Exam
- Guide to LCSW Out-of-State Applicant Requirements
- Which Application Should I Submit and What is the Process for Out-of-State and Out-of-Country Applicants?
- Application for LCSW Licensure (PATH A, OUT-OF-STATE)
- Application for LCSW Licensure (PATH B, OUT-OF-STATE)
- ASW Registration Application OUT-OF-STATE or OUT-OF-COUNTRY DEGREE
- Verification of License or Registration in Another State or Country
- 6-year Life Span
- Registrations issued by the Board are valid for a 6-year period (five renewals)
- Registrants who have not completed all hours of supervised experience within the 6-year life span must apply for a subsequent registration number to continue the path toward licensure
- Many registrants apply for a second (or third, etc.) registration number to gain additional supervised work experience or for employment purposes
- Private Practice and Professional Corporation Settings
- Registrants with a subsequent registration number cannot work in a private practice or a professional corporation setting. There are no exceptions.
- Examination Requirements
- Applicants must PASS the LCSW California Law and Ethics Exam before a subsequent registration can be issued.
- ASW Subsequent Registration Application
- List of accredited schools of social work in California
- California State Universities (CSU)
- California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt | Dept of Social Work
- California State University, Bakersfield | Social Work Program
- California State University, Chico | Master of Social Work
- California State University, Dominguez Hills | Master of Social Work
- California State University, East Bay | Master of Social Work
- California State University, Fresno | Department of Social Work Education
- California State University, Fullerton | Social Work Program
- California State University, Long Beach | Department of Social Work
- California State University, Los Angeles | Department of Social Work
- California State University, Monterey Bay | Dept of Social Work
- California State University, Northridge | Dept of Social Work
- California State University, Sacramento | Division of Social Work
- California State University, San Bernardino | Department of Social Work
- California State University, San Marcos | Dept of Social Work
- California State University, Stanislaus | Department of Social Work
- San Diego State University | School of Social Work
- San Francisco State University | Master of Social Work
- San Jose State University | Department of Social Work
- University of California (UC)
- Azuza Pacific University
- California Baptist University
- Loma Linda University
- National University
- Pacific Oaks College
- University of Massachusetts Global - California campus only
- University of Southern California
- University of the Pacific
- Forms
Expedite Requests
- Active-Duty Military Expedite Request
- Military Veteran Expedite Request
- Military Spouse/Domestic Partner Expedite Request (Exam applications, and Testing Accommodation requests ONLY)
- Military Spouse/Domestic Partner Fee Waiver and Expedite Request (Associate applications, Licensure applications and Initial License Issuance applications ONLY)
- Refugee/Asylee/Special Immigrant Visa Holders Expedite Request
ASW Registration Applications
- ASW Registration Application IN-STATE DEGREE
- ASW Registration Application OUT-OF-STATE or OUT-OF-COUNTRY DEGREE
- ASW Subsequent Registration Application
Supervision Forms
- ASW Weekly Log of Experience Hours
- Supervision Agreement (for supervisory relationships that began ON OR AFTER January 1, 2022)
- Supervision Agreement - Index of Legal Citations
- Supervisor Responsibility Statement (for supervisory relationships that began PRIOR to January 1, 2022)
- Supervisory Plan (for supervisory relationships that began PRIOR to January 1, 2022)
- Sample Verification of Employment as a Volunteer
- Sample Written Oversight Agreement
Licensure Applications
- Application for LCSW Licensure (IN-STATE)
- Application for LCSW Licensure (PATH A, OUT-OF-STATE)
- Application for LCSW Licensure (PATH B, OUT-OF-STATE)
Exam Requests and Info
- Application for INITIAL Law and Ethics Exam (First-time Applicants ONLY)
- Application for Re-Examination
- Register Exam with ASWB
Initial License Request
- Publications
- 10 Tips for a Smoother Licensing Process
- Handbook for Future LCSWs
- 90-day Rule FAQ
- Answers to Most Frequently Asked Questions Relating to ASWs
- Supervisor Qualifications
- A Guide to Supervision for ASWs
- LCSW Breakdown of Required Experience
- Registrant Continuing Education Information
- Electronic Transcripts and Degree Program Certifications
- Fingerprint FAQs
Exams
- ASWB Clinical Exam Candidate Handbook
- Law & Ethics Exam Candidate Handbook
- Law and Ethics Examination FAQs
Out-of-State or Out-of-Country Applicants