How to Get Your Hawaii Social Work License: Expert Guide
Hawaii’s social work license opens doors to meaningful career opportunities. The state needs qualified professionals since 1 in 6 residents live in poverty, despite the paradise-like setting. Social workers make a good living here too – professionals in Honolulu earn $73,000 on average.
Your path to becoming a social worker in Hawaii starts with the right education and license. The LBSW designation needs a bachelor’s degree from a CSWE-accredited school. LSW candidates must earn either a Master’s or Doctorate in Social Work.
License fees vary between $163 and $281 based on your application timing in the triennium. The process requires passing exams and gaining supervised experience. Clinical positions need 3,000 hours of supervised work spread across 2-5 years. This piece guides you through each step to get your Hawaii social work license and helps you understand the 2025 requirements.
Education Requirements
Your Hawaii social work license starts with education from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program. This accreditation represents your gateway to the profession, and Hawaii won’t negotiate on this requirement.
Getting a Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW) designation needs a Bachelor of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited institution. BSW programs need at least 120 semester credits and have a mandatory field education component of at least 400 hours. Hawaii has three CSWE-accredited BSW programs, and one of them offers online learning options.
The Licensed Social Worker (LSW) credential requires either a Master of Social Work (MSW) or a doctoral degree in social work. Students choosing the MSW path must graduate from a CSWE-accredited program. Hawaii has two institutions offering this option, and one provides online learning. These MSW programs need at least 30 semester credits plus field education of at least 900 clock hours.
The doctoral path to an LSW license requires completing a PhD or Doctor of Social Work (DSW) from a regionally-accredited institution. This degree represents the field’s highest level of education and gives you advanced research and clinical preparation.
The Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential needs the same educational background as the LSW—an MSW or doctorate from an accredited institution. MSW programs at accredited schools provide a detailed foundation in social work practice. A typical program has:
- Completion of 57 credit hours (all letter-graded)
- Foundation coursework introducing core professional principles
- Advanced specialization courses
- Four semesters of field education totaling at least 900 clock hours
- Elective coursework (minimum 9 credits)
MSW programs in Hawaii build from foundation courses to specialization work. The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa gives students four years from admission to complete their degree. Foundation-year students spend 16 hours weekly in field education with a minimum of 225 clock hours per semester. Advanced-year students can increase their field hours beyond the minimum if their supervisor approves.
The CSWE keeps a directory of all accredited programs. Programs fall into three categories: fully accredited, conditionally accredited, or in candidacy status. This directory shows all approved locations and delivery methods for each program. Check your chosen program’s current accreditation status because it will affect your licensure eligibility after graduation.
Hawaii’s Professional and Vocational Licensing Board asks first-time applicants to have official transcripts sent straight from their educational institution. Good academic performance throughout your educational trip helps ensure smooth progress toward getting your license.
Exam Requirements
Getting your Hawaii social work license requires passing the right ASWB examination after you complete your education. You need to follow specific steps in the exam process.
The state must first approve your application. The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) reviews applications before candidates can take the exam. You’ll receive an eligibility letter valid for two years after approval.
You must complete two steps to register for the exam:
- Register and pay through the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) website
- Schedule your exam through PSI Services once you get your Authorization to Test (ATT) from ASWB
The exam fees depend on your license type:
- Associate, Bachelors, or Masters exam: $230.00
- Advanced Generalist or Clinical exam: $260.00
ASWB will switch from PSI to Pearson VUE for testing in March 2025. Testing will pause for two weeks from March 16 through March 30, 2025. PSI test centers will handle exams for candidates who register before March 3 and schedule by March 15. Pearson VUE centers will take over testing from March 31 for anyone who registers after March 3.
Each license type needs a specific ASWB exam:
- Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW): ASWB Bachelor’s exam
- Licensed Social Worker (LSW): ASWB Master’s exam
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): ASWB Clinical exam
The number of questions varies by exam level. The Bachelor’s exam has 70 questions, while the Master’s exam includes 100 questions. The Clinical exam features 170 questions. The ASWB website offers an Examination Guidebook with details about exam structure, question formats, and test day expectations.
The DCCA lets you register for the exam before your degree is officially awarded. You’ll need a “degree completed” letter from the Department of Social Work that confirms you’ve met all requirements. Remember to submit your official transcript once your degree is conferred.
Candidates can take the exam at the Pearson Professional Centers-Honolulu on Oahu at 1441 Kapiolani Blvd Suite 204. Special testing arrangements are available if you have a disability, health condition, or English isn’t your first language.
ASWB gives you three chances to pass the exam before you must reapply and pay fees again. Many prep courses are accessible, and some report pass rates up to 93%.
Supervised Experience
Your Hawaii social work license requirements include clinical supervised experience as a vital component, especially when you have plans to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). The state has set clear standards about how long this takes, what you need to learn, and who can supervise you.
You’ll need to complete 3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised clinical social work experience to get your LCSW. This hands-on training should take between two to five years. The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs has broken down these hours into specific categories to ensure you develop all needed skills.
Your supervised experience should dedicate 2,000 hours to assessment, clinical diagnosis, and psychotherapy. This means you can spend no more than 900 hours on client-centered advocacy, consultation, and evaluation activities. You must also complete 100 hours of direct face-to-face supervision during this time.
The supervision hours follow a clear structure. You need at least 60 hours of one-on-one supervision. The other 40 hours can take place in small groups with up to six supervisees.
Your clinical supervisor needs strong qualifications. They must be an LCSW with at least 4,500 hours of post-master’s clinical social work experience. The supervision should cover assessment, clinical diagnosis, and psychotherapy practices extensively.
Proper documentation plays a key role in this process. Your supervisor needs to fill out the “Verification of Supervised Clinical Social Work Experience” form once you complete your hours. This document needs notarization before you submit it with your license application.
Hawaii offers an alternative path besides the standard supervised hours route. You might meet the experience requirements if you hold certification as a Qualified Clinical Social Worker (QCSW), Diplomate in Clinical Social Work (DCSW) from the National Association of Social Workers, or Board Certified Diplomate (BCD) from the American Board of Examiners.
Hawaii has adapted to modern practices by allowing electronic supervision. You and your supervisor can use HIPAA-compliant video conferencing services for some or all supervision requirements. You should check regulations in other states before choosing this option to understand how electronic supervision might affect license endorsement elsewhere.
Application Process
Your Hawaii social work license application marks the final step of your journey. After completing your education and passing required examinations, you need to prepare several documents to submit to the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
Your application package needs these documents sent directly from their sources:
- Official transcripts sent directly from your educational institution
- Verification of supervised experience (for LCSW applicants) with supervisor completing the appropriate forms
- ASWB examination score reports transmitted directly to the licensing board
Application fees change based on the three-year licensing cycle:
For LSW applicants:
- First year of the triennium: $374.00
- Second year of the triennium: $300.00
- Third year of the triennium: $226.00
For LCSW applicants:
- First year: $478.00
- Second year: $388.00
- Third year: $298.00
For LBSW applicants:
- First year: $281.00
- Second year: $222.00
- Third year: $163.00
You start by paying a non-refundable application fee of $60.00, which is included in the above totals. The remaining amount covers license fees, compliance resolution fund fees, and prorated renewal fees.
Hawaii offers temporary licenses to spouses of active-duty military members stationed in Hawaii. These licenses remain valid throughout the service member’s Hawaii assignment.
You can track your application status through the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs’ online portal. The process usually takes 4-6 weeks. Eligible candidates then receive authorization to schedule their ASWB exam.
The department considers applications abandoned if you don’t complete the licensing process within one year or fail to pass the examination after becoming eligible. You must reapply and meet current licensing requirements in such cases.
Getting your license happens after verification of all requirements. Note that Hawaii social work licenses must be renewed every three years by June 30 (next in 2025, 2028, 2031), whatever the issue date. You cannot practice legally without renewing your license.
The Social Workers License department at the DCCA, PVL Licensing Branch in Honolulu can help with your application questions.
Continuing Education
Social workers with active LBSW, LSW, and LCSW licenses in Hawaii need 45 hours of continuing education credits every three years to keep their license current. This requirement starts after your first license period.
The state gives new licensees a break. You don’t need to complete CE requirements during your first license renewal. A social worker who received their license between July 1, 2016, and June 30, 2019 didn’t need CE credits that first time.
The 45-hour requirement includes at least 3 credit hours focused on ethics. You can spend the remaining hours on social work topics that match your practice area. Each credit hour represents 50 minutes of instruction. This helps you plan your education schedule better.
Your CE credits must come from approved organizations. These include:
- The National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
- The National Association of Social Worker Chapters
- The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
The Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs runs random audits to check compliance. Selected social workers receive a notice and must show proof of their CE hours within 60 days. Your license could face disciplinary action if you fail to comply.
Social workers need to keep their own CE records. During license renewal, you must certify under oath that you’ve completed the required education. Remember not to send CE certificates with your renewal unless an audit requires them.
ASWB-approved providers offer many online options. You can complete all 45 hours through home study courses. This makes it easier to fit continuing education into your work schedule.
Additional Information
Hawaii social workers must renew their licenses every three years. All licenses expire on June 30, 2025, 2028, and 2031, whatever date they were first issued. The online renewal process opens on May 5, 2025, through the mypvl.dcca.hawaii.gov portal. Your license becomes invalid if you don’t renew by the expiration date, making it illegal to practice.
Renewal fees vary based on license type and status:
- LBSW (active): $177.00
- LBSW (inactive): $12.00
- LSW (active): $222.00
- LSW (inactive): $12.00
- LCSW: $270.00
You have options if you miss the renewal deadline. The state allows you to restore forfeited licenses within one year after expiration. The restoration fees range from $32.00 to $340.50 based on your license type. Your license terminates if you don’t restore it within this one-year period, and you’ll need to submit a new application.
The one-year abandonment policy affects all applications. The state considers your application abandoned if you don’t complete the licensing process within a year or fail the examination after becoming eligible. This situation requires you to reapply.
A significant change comes to exam scheduling in March 2025. ASWB switches from PSI to Pearson VUE for administering examinations. This change creates a two-week testing pause from March 16-30, 2025. The testing center depends on your registration date. Candidates who register before March 3 and schedule tests by March 15 will use PSI centers. Those who register after March 3 will test at Pearson VUE centers starting March 31.
Hawaii welcomes social workers licensed in other states through licensure by endorsement. Social work doesn’t have true reciprocity between states. The endorsement process checks your existing credentials and ASWB exam scores, which remain valid across jurisdictions. This approach accelerates licensing by accepting your active license in good standing as proof of meeting requirements.
Understanding these dates and policies helps you direct your Hawaii social work licensure path effectively.