How to Get Your Missouri Social Work License
Getting your Missouri social work license requires 4-10 years based on the license type and education path you choose. The state provides four different licensure levels: Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), and Licensed Advanced Macro Social Worker (LAMSW).
Missouri’s social work board requires graduation from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program. Your license maintenance depends on completing 30 hours of approved continuing education every two years. Missouri’s social worker salaries typically run lower than national averages, but the state’s cost of living ranks as the sixth-lowest nationwide, which helps offset the pay differences.
In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need about getting your social work license in Missouri. We’ll cover education prerequisites, exam requirements, supervised experience, and the application process step by step.
Education Requirements
Your Missouri social work license experience starts with educational credentials. The Missouri social work board requires all licensees to have degrees from programs with Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation.
Each license type needs specific educational qualifications:
For Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW):A bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program is mandatory. BSW programs in Missouri don’t usually require a minor, which lets you concentrate on your social work studies. Your undergraduate education includes field practicum experiences where you’ll work with social service agencies under professional supervision.
For Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW):You’ll need a master’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program or a doctorate degree in social work. Missouri gives you two MSW paths:
- Regular Standing Programs – These are perfect if you have a bachelor’s degree in another field. You’ll complete 60 credit hours of coursework.
- Advanced Standing Programs – These are designed for students with recent BSW degrees from CSWE-accredited programs. Full-time students can finish their MSW in just three semesters (one year).
For Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW):The state committee requires a master’s degree from a CSWE-accredited social work program or an acceptable doctorate degree from a school of social work. This advanced education prepares you to work clinically with individuals, families, and groups.
For Licensed Advanced Master Social Worker (LAMSW):Like in the LCSW requirements, this macro-practice focused credential needs a master’s degree from a CSWE-accredited program or an acceptable doctorate degree from a school of social work.
Missouri has many CSWE-accredited programs across the state. You can find them at University of Missouri-Columbia, Saint Louis University, University of Missouri-St. Louis, Washington University, Missouri State University, and other institutions. Several universities now offer MSW programs completely online.
Field practicum experiences are crucial parts of both BSW and MSW curricula. These supervised placements happen at social service agencies during regular business hours (Monday through Friday). They help you apply classroom knowledge in real settings and often create networking opportunities that lead to jobs after graduation.
The LCSW track begins with your master’s education. After graduation, you must complete supervised clinical experience to qualify for the clinical license—we’ll cover this in detail in the supervised experience section of this piece.
The CSWE directory can help you check a program’s accreditation status or find an accredited program nearby. You can also reach out to the Missouri social work board directly.
Exam Requirements
Getting your Missouri social work license requires passing the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) examination after completing your education. The Missouri social work board asks all license applicants to pass the ASWB exam that matches their licensure level.
Registration Process
The Missouri social work board must pre-approve your license application before you can register for the ASWB exam. After approval, you’ll be able to schedule your test date. Your examination fees will depend on your license level:
- Associate, Bachelors, or Masters exams: $230
- Advanced Generalist or Clinical exams: $260
Examination Structure
The ASWB exam has 170 questions, and 150 of these are scored. The other 20 questions are unscored and tested for future exams. You’ll face two 85-question sections with a two-hour limit for each. During your test, you can:
- Skip questions and come back to them later
- Mark questions to review
- Highlight and strike through text
- Change your answers within each section
Once you finish the first section, you can’t go back to it. The exam software lets you zoom text for better reading, and a help screen stays available throughout your test.
Breaks and Accommodations
You’ll get a scheduled 10-minute break and can take unscheduled breaks when needed during the ASWB exam. Candidates who have disabilities, health conditions, or speak English as a second language might qualify for special testing arrangements.
Early Examination Options
The Missouri social work board allows special exceptions for some candidates:
- LBSW and LMSW candidates can take exams 60 days before graduation with a letter from their CSWE-accredited university confirming graduation status
- LCSW candidates can take the exam after completing 2,250 hours and 18 months of supervision with proper documentation
Preparation Resources
You’ll find several resources to help you prepare:
- The ASWB Exam Guidebook shows exam procedures, structure, and test day expectations
- The Social Work Dictionary and Social Work Desk Reference are great reference materials
- NASW offers virtual exam preparation courses
A structured study program of 4-8 weeks works best for most people. You’ll know your score right after finishing. First-time test-takers usually have pass rates between 70% to 85%, so full preparation matters.
After passing your ASWB examination, you can complete any remaining requirements for your Missouri social work license, such as supervised experience for clinical licensure. The ASWB Examination Guidebook deserves a careful review before your test date, especially page 17’s recent changes to exam administration.
Supervised Experience
Your Missouri social work license requires hands-on supervised practice. The Missouri social work board sets specific supervision requirements that change based on your license level.
License-Specific Requirements:
LBSW and LMSW licenses don’t need supervised experience. Higher-level credentials have stricter requirements:
- LBSW-IP, LAMSW, and LCSW: Each needs 3,000 hours of supervised experience completed between 24 and 48 consecutive months
You can start supervision only after getting your LBSW or LMSW license. Experience before licensure won’t count toward these requirements.
Supervisor Qualifications
Your supervisor needs these qualifications:
- Five years of experience after getting licensed
- A degree from a CSWE-accredited social work program or a social work doctorate
- A 16-hour supervisor training course (courses from before 2002 don’t count)
- No family ties or dual relationships with the supervisee
Since November 29, 2022, supervisors can work with up to six supervisees at once. They need written permission from the Missouri social work board to supervise more people.
Supervision Process
The supervision includes:
- Two hours of one-on-one face-to-face supervision every two weeks
- You can combine supervision for up to four weeks (four hours total)
- Group supervision can make up half of your monthly supervision (groups of 2-6 supervisees)
- You can use electronic communication that keeps information private and allows both verbal and visual interaction
Supervisors take full professional responsibility for their supervisee’s work. This includes overseeing assessments, interventions, and referrals.
Documentation Requirements
Your supervisor must send progress reports to the Missouri social work board at months 12, 24, and 36 of supervision. They need to complete an Attestation of Supervision Form within 14 days after supervision ends.
This supervised experience helps you build practical skills with expert guidance. It prepares you for independent work under your Missouri social work license. LCSW candidates complete this clinical supervision after their master’s degree as the final step before clinical licensure.
Application Process
Your Missouri social work license experience begins with submitting an application. The Missouri social work board needs specific documentation based on your target credential.
The license application requires several essential documents:
- Official Transcripts: Your educational institution must send these directly to the Missouri social work board.
- Verification of Supervised Experience: For LCSW applicants, supervisors must complete verification forms that document your required hours.
- Completed Application Form: Each license type has a specific application form on the state committee’s website.
- Fingerprinting/Background Check: All applicants must complete this security screening.
- Application Fee: The cost varies based on your application timing within the licensing cycle:
- October-January (two-year license): $70
- February-May (one and a half year license): $55
- June-September (one-year license): $35
LBSW and LMSW candidates can apply within 60 days after graduating from their accredited social work program. LCSW candidates may apply after they complete the minimum required supervised experience hours.
The Missouri social work license requirements include specific application paths that fit different situations. To name just one example, the board offers simplified processes through licensure by reciprocity for out-of-state social workers. Qualified applicants must hold a valid social work license that meets Missouri’s standards for their target credential level. Reciprocity applicants need to submit:
- A completed reciprocity application
- ASWB exam scores for the desired license level
- Proof of current valid licensure
- Documentation of any additional supervised hours if needed
Missouri will introduce the MOPRO system (mopro.mo.gov) at the start of January 2025 for license applications and management. This platform lets you apply for and renew licenses, submit payments, update contact information, and access your professional records 24/7.
The time needed to process your Missouri social work license application depends on its completeness and current board processing volumes. The whole ordeal—from application submission through examination and licensure—typically takes several months. Missing documentation or incomplete applications cause delays, and missing dates and signatures are common problems.
The Missouri Division of Professional Registration’s online portal helps you track your application status.
Continuing Education
You need 30 hours of approved continuing education (CE) every two years to keep your Missouri social work license active.
Your CE hours must include these mandatory topics:
- Ethics: 3 hours per renewal cycle
- Suicide Assessment, Referral, Treatment, and Management: 2 hours per renewal cycle
- Diversity, Inclusion, Cultural Awareness, Competence, or Humility: 3 hours per renewal cycle
The Missouri social work board has updated its format requirements for upcoming renewals. Licensed social workers can now complete their CE through any mix of live programs, webinars, and correspondence courses during the 2024 and 2025 renewal periods. All the same, other limits like those for publications stay the same.
Your license renewal happens on September 30th. Half of all licensees renew in even years, while the other half renew in odd years. The Missouri social work license requirements state that you must complete all CE hours before your renewal deadline to keep your license active.
The Missouri social work board recognizes CE from providers approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Many organizations of all sizes offer CE opportunities that meet Missouri’s requirements, including the National Association of Social Workers Missouri Chapter (NASW-MO).
NASW-MO members get discounted access to continuing education through the Social Work Online CE Institute. The platform features webinars, webcasts, podcasts, and presentations. The Missouri social work board sometimes offers free CE opportunities, and you can earn 2-hour credit by completing a jurisprudence exam.
New applicants should know that since August 28, 2018, all healthcare professionals, including social workers, must complete two hours of suicide prevention training before getting their original license. So, this requirement applies to both new licensees and those renewing existing credentials.
The Missouri social work board can help you verify your CE completion status or answer questions about specific courses. You can reach them at 573-751-0885 or email them at lcsw@pr.mo.gov.
Additional Information
Missouri social work license holders must follow several regulations and resources beyond basic licensing requirements. The Missouri social work board now participates in the Social Work Licensure Compact. Licensed social workers can provide services in other member states through this agreement. This gives practitioners more flexibility when they work across state lines.
The Missouri social work board requires clinical licensure from professionals who provide services to clients located in Missouri. The client’s location determines licensing jurisdiction, not where the provider is based.
A major rule change took effect on October 30, 2024. Licenses that remain expired or revoked for more than two years cannot be renewed. These practitioners must now reapply under current regulations.
The Fresh Start Act lets people with criminal records ask the Missouri social work board about their eligibility before getting licensed. This helps potential applicants understand how past convictions might affect their chances before they invest time and money in education.
Missouri law protects confidential communication between licensed social workers and their clients. Client information stays private unless it involves danger to public safety or welfare.
The Department of Mental Health provides an online interactive map that helps military members, veterans, and their families find behavioral health services. Social workers can get listed by filling out an electronic enrollment form.
Missouri’s social work license requirements include two hours of suicide prevention training. This applies to original licensure and renewals since August 28, 2018. The requirement matches broader healthcare professional standards under HB1719.
License renewals in Missouri cost $65.00. Licensees can pay by personal check, cashier’s check, or money order. The board checks if all continuing education requirements are complete before approving any renewals.