How to Get Licensed for Social Work in Tennessee
Want to get a Tennessee social work license? The process takes about 4-8 years based on your chosen license level. Tennessee provides four types of social work licenses: LBSW, LMSW, LAPSW, and LCSW.
Getting licensed as a social worker in Tennessee requires several essential steps. You must pass the ASWB exam, submit official transcripts, and pay the required fees to the Tennessee Board of Social Workers. Some licenses need 3,000 hours of practice with 100 hours of supervision. Your career investment can pay off well – Tennessee social workers earn between $48,000-$62,000 yearly, with metropolitan areas offering higher salaries.
This comprehensive resource will help you understand the education requirements, examination process, supervised experience needs, and application procedures to get your social work license in Tennessee. We’ll guide you through every step of the process, whether you’re starting with a bachelor’s degree or moving toward clinical licensure.
Education Requirements
Getting a Tennessee social work license starts with meeting specific educational requirements. Your career goals and the type of license you want will determine your path.
The license level you want determines your educational qualifications. A Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) takes four years to complete and meets entry-level position requirements. Students who want an LMSW license need two more years to earn a Master of Social Work (MSW). The advanced LAPSW and LCSW licenses need an MSW plus two more years of supervised clinical experience.
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) must accredit all social work programs. Tennessee has several CSWE-accredited programs at both bachelor’s and master’s levels. The title “social worker” has legal restrictions in Tennessee. It applies only to:
- Graduates of accredited schools with baccalaureate or master’s social work degrees
- Individuals with a doctorate or PhD in social work
- Persons licensed in Tennessee with LBSW, LMSW, LAPSW, or LCSW credentials
Your educational institution must send an official transcript straight to the Tennessee Board of Social Work at 665 Mainstream Drive, Nashville, TN 37243. Schools can also email transcripts to Unit1HRB.Health@tn.gov.
Tennessee features 16 CSWE-accredited BSW programs statewide. These include Austin Peay State University, Belmont University, East Tennessee State University, and the University of Tennessee system campuses. MSW students can choose from four fully accredited master’s programs at East Tennessee State University, University of Tennessee Knoxville, Union University, and Southern Adventist University. The Mid-Tennessee Collaborative (Austin Peay State University, Middle Tennessee State University, and Tennessee State University) and the University of Memphis currently hold candidacy status.
Tennessee’s MSW programs share similar admission requirements. Students need a minimum GPA of 2.5-3.0, official transcripts, and recommendation letters. Students with a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program might qualify for advanced standing status. This status lets them finish their MSW in about one year instead of two.
Working professionals can take advantage of evening classes at many MSW programs. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga runs an on-campus program with evening classes. Graduating from an accredited program prepares you for licensure. The Association of Social Work Boards provides specific Tennessee requirements that you should review.
Students can also choose online MSW programs that meet Tennessee’s educational requirements. These programs come with various concentration options. Completion times range from 9-27 months, based on advanced standing qualification.
The next section explores preparing for and passing the required examination after completing your education requirements.
Exam Requirements
Your next significant step toward getting your Tennessee social work license comes after completing your educational requirements. You’ll need to pass the appropriate Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) examination.
The Tennessee Board of Social Work requires different ASWB exams based on your desired license level:
- LBSW – ASWB Bachelors Exam
- LMSW – ASWB Masters Exam
- LAPSW – ASWB Advanced Generalist Exam
- LCSW – ASWB Clinical Exam
The exam registration follows a specific sequence. You’ll first submit your application to the Tennessee Board of Social Work. The Board will send you an authorization letter with registration instructions after approval. You’ll then contact the ASWB to pay your registration fee and receive approval. The final step involves contacting Pearson VUE to pick your test center and date.
The exam fees vary by level. You’ll pay $230.00 for Associate, Bachelors, or Masters exams. Advanced Generalist and Clinical exams cost $260.00. These payments go directly to the ASWB during registration.
Your application timing plays a vital role. LAPSW and LCSW applications must reach the board 30 days before their meeting. This timeline will give enough processing time before review.
LCSW candidates must complete a preliminary step. The Board needs to approve your supervision plan before you submit the full application. The Clinical Level Exam becomes available after completing this supervision.
LMSW graduates preparing for the Clinical Exam need these items in their application packet:
- LMSW renewal card copy
- Supervision verification
- Professional reference
- Clinical hours/Supervision log
- Mandatory Practitioner Profile Questionnaire
- Declaration of Citizenship form
- Application fee of $235.00
Licensed social workers from other states can apply for a Tennessee license. Their current license must be valid and match one of Tennessee’s four license types. These applicants need to verify their current license and have ASWB send their exam scores to the Tennessee Board.
The ASWB provides an Exam Guidebook to help you prepare. This guide covers exam steps, test day expectations, question structure, and exam creation. You might qualify for nonstandard testing arrangements if you have a disability, health condition, or English isn’t your primary language.
The Board issues your license after you pass the exam. This allows you to practice at your newly licensed level. Your next milestone involves completing supervised experience requirements, especially when you have advanced license levels in mind.
Supervised Experience
Getting advanced Tennessee social work licenses, especially LAPSW and LCSW credentials, requires supervised work. You need this work to develop skills that let you practice independently in your specialty area.
LCSW candidates need to complete 3,000 hours of clinical experience and 100 hours of supervision across at least two years. Your clinical work should involve direct client services. This includes assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. You must apply your social work knowledge professionally in psychotherapy, counseling, and crisis intervention settings.
LAPSW candidates also need 3,000 hours of nonclinical advanced practice experience and 100 hours of supervision over two years minimum. Both licenses require you to finish within eight years from when you apply. The board won’t count any hours you complete after this timeframe.
Your supervision needs specific ratios – about one hour of supervision for every 30 hours you practice, whether clinical or nonclinical. So your supervision should match your clinical contact hours. To name just one example, if you work 30 clinical hours each week, you should get weekly supervision.
Out of your 100 required supervision hours, at least 60 must be one-on-one with your supervisor. Group supervision can make up no more than 40 hours and must have four or fewer supervisees. You can use teleconferencing or video technologies for up to 75% of your individual supervision hours.
Your supervisor must meet strict qualifications. LCSW candidates need a supervisor who’s been a licensed clinical social worker for at least three continuous years. LAPSW candidates can work with either an LCSW or LAPSW who has similar experience.
Good documentation is vital throughout this process. You and your supervisor must keep detailed records of all experiences and supervision sessions. The Tennessee Board of Social Work needs signed supervision logs to verify your hours. Starting January 2023, supervisors must complete 12 hours of continuing education about supervision, including 3 hours on Tennessee licensing rules.
Note that supervision from family members, spouses, relatives, or employees won’t count toward your license requirements. Once you finish your supervised experience, you can move on to the application phase of your Tennessee social work license path.
Application Process
The Tennessee Board of Social Work has streamlined its license application process. You can now apply online through their modernized system.
Your first step is to visit the Tennessee Board of Social Work’s official website. Create an account on the Licensure and Regulatory System site. New users should click “Begin Here for Sign-Up”. A memorable User ID like your email address works best.
Your educational institution needs to send your official transcript directly to the Board.
Each license type has specific application requirements:
- LMSW by examination needs:
- Completed application with passport-style photograph
- $135.00 fee ($50.00 application fee, $75.00 license fee, $10.00 State regulatory fee)
- Notarized Declaration of Citizenship form
- Completed Mandatory Practitioner Profile Questionnaire
- Official transcript
- Verification from other states (if applicable)
- Criminal Background Check authorization
- LMSW by reciprocity requires:
- $160.00 fee ($75.00 application fee, $75.00 license fee, $10.00 State regulatory fee)
- All documentation required for examination applicants
- Copy of original state’s law and rules (if available)
- Photocopy of original license and current renewal certificate
- Verification of passing ASWB examination
- LCSW applications must include:
- $235.00 application fee
- Passport-style photograph
- Criminal Background Check authorization
- Declaration of Citizenship form
- Practitioner Profile Questionnaire
- Copy of LMSW renewal card
- Professional reference from current/former employer
- Supervision log and verification
Graduates from programs seeking CSWE accreditation can apply for a temporary license. This costs $60.00 ($50.00 temporary fee plus $10.00 State regulatory fee).
Note that you need appointments for in-person visits. Your license will arrive by mail within two weeks after the next Board meeting, once approved.
LAPSW and LCSW applications need all materials 30 days before the Board meeting. This timing is vital since applications must be complete before review.
Continuing Education
Tennessee’s social work license renewal requires specific continuing education (CE) hours based on your license type. The Tennessee Board of Social Work mandates completion of these requirements within two calendar years before your renewal date.
Each license level has distinct CE requirements:
- LBSW: 18 clock hours every two years, including 6 hours in ethics and 1 hour specific to Tennessee licensing laws and regulations
- LMSW: 24 clock hours every two years, including 6 hours in ethics and 1 hour specific to Tennessee licensing laws and regulations
- LAPSW and LCSW: 30 clock hours every two years, including 6 hours in ethics and 1 hour specific to Tennessee licensing laws and regulations
All licensees must complete a Board-approved training program on suicide prevention that lasts two hours at least once every four years. This requirement started January 1, 2020. New licensees might qualify for a two-year exemption if they completed the required academic training.
The Board accepts both in-person and multimedia learning formats, but multimedia courses can only account for two-thirds (2/3) of your total required hours. Synchronous continuing education, where learning happens in real-time with virtual participation, qualifies as in-person learning.
Social workers with supervisory authority must complete 12 hours of education in clinical or non-clinical advanced practice social work supervision since January 1, 2023. This includes 3 hours covering Tennessee’s licensing rules.
Your CE activity records must be kept for four years. While proof of hours isn’t required during renewal, you should be ready to provide documentation if the Board requests it.
The Tennessee Board provides its licensees free access to CE Broker, their official tracking system. This platform helps you monitor completed hours and compliance status while offering search features for approved continuing education options.
Additional Information
Social workers in Tennessee can access several special application pathways beyond standard licensure. The state board provides options like Special Volunteer Social Worker Application and accelerated processing for military members and their spouses.
License verification requests for employment or state reciprocity can be sent to your specified address.
The board’s online system lets licensees manage their accounts efficiently after registration. Users can update their address and email details, submit name changes with proper documentation, and request duplicate licenses or certificates.
The board’s helpline at 800-778-4123 provides assistance when needed. Notwithstanding that, note that professionals should manage their own licenses directly. The law requires maintaining current information with the board, and any failure could lead to disciplinary measures.
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Tennessee Chapter website is a great way to get resources. Their platform at www.naswtn.com connects you directly to the Tennessee Social Work Licensure Board and provides updated information about licensure applications.
Tennessee’s social work community includes over 10,000 professionals, which creates strong opportunities for development and networking throughout your career.