How to Get Your South Carolina Social Work License
Getting your South Carolina social work license follows a well-laid-out process with specific state guidelines. The South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners oversees all credentialing and licensure requirements. The board ensures professionals meet quality standards before they can practice in the state.
Social worker license requirements vary by a lot between states. These requirements typically include completing proper education, passing an ASWB exam, and gaining supervised experience. South Carolina requires 3,000 supervised social work experience hours after you get your LMSW. This process takes between two and four years to qualify for higher licensure levels. You should also plan for the costs involved. Exam fees range from $230 to $260 based on the level. The original application fees run between $45 and $70 depending on the license type.
In this guide, you’ll learn each step to get your social work license in South Carolina. We cover everything from educational requirements to application steps, exam prep, and what you need to keep your credentials current.
Education Requirements
A career in social work in South Carolina starts with education from an accredited institution. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is the only accrediting body for social work programs in the country. South Carolina requires this accreditation for license eligibility.
Your license level choice determines your education path. You need a bachelor’s degree from a CSWE-accredited program to get the Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW) credential. These programs blend basic liberal arts courses with specialized social work training to prepare you for general practice.
A master’s degree from a CSWE-accredited program is needed for higher license levels like Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSM) or Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW). South Carolina has three CSWE-accredited MSW programs:
- University of South Carolina: Ranks 51st nationally in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Best Graduate Schools
- Winthrop University: Ranks 172nd nationally
- Limestone University: Offers fully online programs
These programs come with different options and specialties. USC’s program runs on campus and online at Columbia, Greenville, and Charleston locations. The standard MSW program at USC needs 60 credit hours over two years. The Advanced Standing option takes 42 credits in 11 months.
BSW degree holders might qualify for Advanced Standing programs. These programs cut your MSW completion time to about one year instead of two years. This saves both time and money on tuition.
Limestone University’s MSW program runs completely online. It specializes in advanced generalist practice in mental health and needs 36 credits.
LISW credentials with Clinical Practice (CP) or Advanced Practice (AP) need extra coursework. Your program must have at least 45 hours of psychopathology and 45 hours in psychosocial disorder diagnosis. Advanced practice license seekers need 90 hours of advanced practice work that focuses on organizations and communities.
Your career goals set your education timeline. A BSW usually takes four years of full-time study. An MSW adds two more years. Advanced Standing programs can help finish your graduate degree in just one year.
Social work students in South Carolina have access to loan forgiveness programs. The National Health Service Corps offers up to $50,000 for work in Health Professional Shortage Areas, which includes most of South Carolina. The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program helps after 120 qualifying monthly payments while working in government or non-profit organizations.
Social work programs typically need a minimum GPA of 2.5-3.0, specific prerequisite courses, personal statements, and recommendation letters. Transfer students can take affordable general education credits at South Carolina’s technical colleges. These credits transfer naturally to BSW programs, and most programs take up to 60 transfer credits.
Exam Requirements
Your next big step toward getting your South Carolina social work license happens after completing your education requirements. You’ll need to pass the appropriate Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) examination. The South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners requires you to submit an Application for Licensure before you can register for any examination.
Your desired license level determines which exam you’ll take:
- LBSW: ASWB Bachelor’s exam
- LMSW: ASWB Master’s exam
- LISW-CP: ASWB Clinical exam
- LISW-AP: ASWB Advanced Generalist exam
The board must approve your credentials before you can take the exam. You need to be at least 21 years old and have the right degree from a CSWE-accredited program. The board’s approval allows you to register directly with ASWB for your exam.
Your exam registration fees will depend on the level:
- Associate, Bachelor’s, or Master’s exams: $230
- Advanced Generalist or Clinical exams: $260[82]
Graduate students have an advantage. You can take the Master’s level examination during your final semester. You just need a letter from your college dean that confirms your educational status. This means you could get your LMSW license right after graduation instead of waiting weeks or months.
After registering with ASWB, schedule your exam at a Pearson VUE testing center. The ASWB Exam Guidebook will help you prepare. It explains the examination process, question structure, and test day expectations.
The board offers nonstandard testing arrangements for candidates with disabilities, health conditions, or those who speak English as a second language. These options make licensure exams accessible to all qualified candidates.
Success requires good preparation because these exams test your social work knowledge extensively. Most candidates study for 3-5 weeks and spend at least 5 hours each week preparing. You’ll find many resources to help you prepare, including practice questions, study guides, and test prep programs that match the ASWB content outline and knowledge areas.
ASWB sends your scores directly to the South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners once you pass. This moves you forward to the next step in your licensure journey.
Supervised Experience
Clinical supervision plays a vital role in advancing your South Carolina social work license beyond the LMSW level. The South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners sets specific supervised practice requirements that change based on your chosen license type.
LMSW candidates don’t need supervised experience to get this original master’s level license. Notwithstanding that, any supervised hours you collect with an LMSW credential count toward future advanced licensure.
The LISW-CP (Clinical Practice) designation just needs extensive supervised experience. You should complete 3,000 hours of post-MSW supervised clinical social work experience over at least two years. This hands-on training must take place in recognized settings like social service, medical, or government agencies.
Your supervised experience has strict time limits. You must finish these hours between two to four years after getting your LMSW. So, planning ahead becomes vital to steadily progress toward advanced licensure.
Face-to-face supervision is a significant requirement. Your supervised experience period must include at least 100 hours of direct clinical supervision spread evenly across your training[101]. Group settings can account for up to 50% of these supervision hours, with groups limited to six supervisees.
The board must approve your Supervision Contract before you start supervised clinical work. This contract serves as your formal supervision plan and filing it with the board is mandatory before counting any hours toward licensure.
LISW-AP (Advanced Practice) requirements match the clinical path’s structure but have a different focus. LISW-AP candidates must also complete 3,000 supervised hours over 2-4 years, including 100 hours of direct advanced practice supervision. The biggest difference lies in the work’s nature – advanced practice focuses on organizational and community-level interventions instead of clinical services.
Your supervisor’s qualifications matter by a lot. LISW-CP supervisors must have their own LISW-CP license and 4,500 hours of clinical practice experience over at least three years since getting their advanced license. They also need 45 contract hours or 45 continuing education hours in supervision.
After completing supervised experience, submit a Report of Supervised Experience to the board. This documentation, along with your original supervision plan and any changes due to supervisor switches, proves you’ve met all requirements.
Yes, it is worth noting that South Carolina’s 3,000-hour requirement matches 69% of jurisdictions, making it one of the most common supervised experience standards for clinical social work licensure.
Application Process
Submitting your formal application is a vital step to get your South Carolina social work license. You must complete an Application for Licensure before taking the ASWB examination. The South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners will verify your eligibility prior to examination.
Your application package needs these components:
- A completed application form with a non-refundable $45.00 fee
- Required supporting documentation including:
- Copy of valid driver’s license, state ID, passport, or military ID
- Copy of social security card
- Legal documentation for any name changes
- For LISW applications only: Supervision Contract
Some documents must come directly from their issuing sources to the Board:
- Official transcripts from your educational institution
- ASWB exam scores (if already taken)
- Verification of licensure forms from all states where you currently hold or previously held licenses
The South Carolina Board accepts applications through two methods. You can submit electronically through their online portal or mail paper applications to the Board office. Online applications move faster through the system, but both methods work well.
LISW-CP candidates need additional verification of supervised experience. Your supervisor should document your 3,000 required hours by completing appropriate verification forms. This documentation shows you’ve met the supervised practice requirements covered in previous sections.
The Board’s website lets you track your application status online. They review each application individually, particularly when candidates answer “Yes” to questions about previous disciplinary actions, legal issues, or other concerns.
South Carolina doesn’t have reciprocity agreements with other states. Notwithstanding that, out-of-state social workers can apply for equivalent licensure to their current credentials. They need to complete the standard application process and submit an out-of-state licensure verification form.
Clinical social workers with active out-of-state licenses in good standing have another option. They can join the Telehealth Registrant List to provide remote services to South Carolina clients without full state licensure.
The Board will notify ASWB once they approve your application. This clearance allows you to take the appropriate licensing examination, moving you forward in your professional trip.
Continuing Education
Your South Carolina social work license requires ongoing professional development through continuing education (CE). Licensed social workers must complete 40 hours of approved continuing education during each biennial renewal period. The reporting period runs from September 1 to August 31 biennially, and submissions are due by August 31 in odd-numbered years.
Licensed social workers must now include at least one hour of continuing education in suicide assessment, treatment, and management within their required 40 hours starting 2024. This specialized training applies to license holders of all levels and allows virtual format completion.
The South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners employs CE Broker as its official continuing education tracking system. You can create a free account to search approved courses, self-report completed hours, and track your course history. CE Broker’s customer support team remains available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST if you need help.
Social workers can complete all 40 required hours through independent home study courses. The Board recognizes these forms of continuing education:
- Courses, conferences, and seminars approved by the Board
- Lecturing or leading discussions related to social work (earning two hours credit per hour of presentation)
- Publishing articles or research in professional journals
You must keep documentation of your CE activities for at least three years after each renewal period. The Board might conduct random audits that require submission of completion certificates or other verification, though these documents aren’t typically needed during standard renewals.
Organizations of all sizes provide approved continuing education for South Carolina social workers. The Board accepts courses from providers approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education program. Courses from governmental entities and certain state-approved agencies also meet the Board’s requirements.
The South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners welcomes questions about continuing education requirements.
Additional Information
Money matters a lot as you plan to get your South Carolina social work license. The South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners has a well-laid-out fee schedule that changes based on your credential type. The original application costs $45.00 for every license type. Social workers who want LISW-CP/AP supervisor status need to pay an extra $45.00 for their supervisor application.
Your license needs renewal every two years at $90.00. Late renewals will cost you an extra $50.00 penalty. Social workers should plan their budget to cover these ongoing expenses throughout their careers.
The board charges separate fees for different administrative services. You’ll pay $10.00 for duplicate pocket cards and name changes with new cards. Wall certificates cost $15.00, license verifications to other states are $5.00, and returned checks come with a $30.00 fee.
South Carolina doesn’t have formal reciprocity agreements with other states. However, social workers from other states can still get equivalent licenses by completing the standard application process and an out-of-state verification form. Licensed clinical social workers from other states can join the Telehealth Registrant List and provide remote services to South Carolina clients.
The future looks bright for social workers in South Carolina. Job growth projections between 2022 and 2032 show a 10% to 21.5% increase, and this is a big deal as it means that it’s above the national average. Your salary depends on your specialty – healthcare social workers earn around $66,000 yearly, while mental health and substance use social workers make about $44,380.
Professional organizations are a great way to get support for South Carolina social workers. The state chapter of the National Association of Social Workers helps with training and networking among other advocacy programs. Clinical practitioners can find education and mentorship through the South Carolina Society for Clinical Social Work. School social workers get specialized support and continuing education from the South Carolina Association of School Social Workers.