How to Get Your Social Work License in Michigan: Complete Guide [2026]
Getting your social work license in Michigan opens doors to a growing field. The state currently has more than 30,000 licensed social workers, and experts project a 6% growth in job opportunities by 2034. A significant shortage of qualified professionals makes this career path even more promising, and analysts expect this trend to continue through 2033.
Getting licensed as a social worker in Michigan requires several key steps that start with your education and end with supervised experience. Your full license requires 4,000 hours of supervised social work experience spread over at least two years. Michigan’s board of social work provides different license types: Limited Social Service Technician, Licensed Bachelor’s Social Worker, and Licensed Master Social Worker with clinical or macro designations.
This guide walks you through everything you should know about becoming a licensed social worker in Michigan. You’ll find detailed information about education requirements, necessary exams, supervised experience, and the application process. The resource guides you step by step, whether you’re just beginning or ready to upgrade from a limited to a full license.
Education Requirements
Your path to a social work license in Michigan starts with the right education. The Michigan Board of Social Work has set clear educational requirements you need to meet before applying for your license.
A degree from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program is the foundation of getting your social work license in Michigan. Your education level determines which type of license you can pursue. Michigan’s licensing system offers different paths based on your qualifications.
A bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) qualifies you for:
- Limited Licensed Bachelor’s Social Worker (LLBSW): Requires a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program
- Licensed Bachelor’s Social Worker (LBSW): Requires a BSW and supervised work experience
A master’s degree in social work opens doors to:
- Limited Licensed Master’s Social Worker (LLMSW): Requires a master’s or doctoral degree in social work
- Licensed Master’s Social Worker (LMSW): This is the highest level of social work licensure in Michigan with options for both clinical and macro practice
The Michigan Board of Social Work might approve your educational program even if it’s not CSWE-accredited. They’ll need to verify that your program matches the quality of accredited ones. Getting your degree from a CSWE-accredited school remains the simplest route.
Your educational institution must send final, official transcripts directly to the Board. They can email or mail them to the Bureau of Professional Licensing. The Board will check if your transcripts meet their standards for licensure.
You must complete specific training before applying for any social work license in Michigan. You’ll need at least 2 hours of implicit bias training within five years before your application. You also need to finish human trafficking training before submitting your application.
Michigan offers specialized credentials for school social work: Preliminary School Social Worker Certificate, Professional School Social Worker Certificate, School Social Worker Permit, and School Social Worker Full Approval. You’ll need to apply through the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS).
Students seeking specialized credentials should talk to an advisor at a Michigan Department of Education approved program. Early guidance helps ensure you complete all required courses before graduation.
The Michigan Professional Licensing User System (MiPLUS) and the Department of Licensing & Regulatory Affairs (LARA) websites have valuable information. Read through the social work General Rules and Public Health Code. This homework will make your licensing process smoother once you finish your education.
Exam Requirements
Getting your social work license in Michigan requires passing the appropriate examination after completing your education and supervised work experience. This is a significant step in your professional journey. The Michigan Board of Social Work sets specific examination requirements based on your chosen license type.
You need 4,000 hours of supervised work experience before you can take the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) examination. Plan your exam preparation around this milestone. The exam requirements vary by credential:
- Bachelor’s Exam: Required for those seeking the Licensed Bachelor’s Social Worker (LBSW) credential
- Clinical Exam: Required for those pursuing the Licensed Master’s Social Worker (LMSW) with a clinical designation
- Advanced Generalist Exam: Required for those seeking the LMSW with a macro (administrative) designation
Your exam choice must align with your desired designation. The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) receives your exam results directly from the testing center. This verification is needed to complete your licensure application.
The path to dual licensure in clinical and macro practice has additional steps. You’ll need to get one designation first, complete 2,000 more hours of supervised work experience under a fully-licensed LMSW, and pass the ASWB exam for the second designation.
You can find many resources to help you prepare effectively. Michigan-based organizations run one-day virtual workshops tailored for limited licensed social workers at BSW and MSW levels. These detailed programs include:
- Full-day workshops covering key exam content areas
- Access to reliable online learning management systems
- Study guides with sample exams
- Mobile study applications
- Virtual study groups
- Staff support for licensure questions
Passitpro offers another option with 6.5 hours of video, text, and voice content that explains key exam concepts. Their programs often include practice questions and full 170-question practice exams that match the actual test format.
Students and alumni can access practice exams through the School of Social Work Career Services Office at some Michigan universities. These exams come in both Masters and Clinical versions, featuring 170 multiple-choice questions with a 4-hour time limit.
After you pass your chosen examination, ASWB must send your score verification directly to the Michigan board. This verification completes your academic requirements, and your license can be granted once you meet all other criteria.
Supervised Experience
Your Michigan social work license depends on supervised practice as its the foundation. The Michigan Board of Social Work sets specific requirements you must meet before applying for full licensure.
You need to complete at least 4,000 hours of post-degree supervised social work experience over two years minimum after getting your limited license. Michigan requires you to hold an active limited master’s social work license while accumulating this experience. Clinical license seekers must complete clinical social work practice hours, and macro license candidates need macro practice hours.
Your supervised experience must follow these important guidelines:
- Weekly work hours should range from 16 to 40, with yearly hours capped at 2,080 per calendar year
- Monthly supervision must total at least 4 hours, including 2 hours of individual supervision
- You can use group supervision for up to half of your required supervision hours
- A Michigan-licensed master’s social worker with your target designation (clinical or macro) must supervise your work
The supervision relationship works like professional mentorship. Your supervisor helps develop your professional identity and skills by reviewing your work and records. This includes case presentations, clinical thinking, ethical discussions, and treatment planning.
You must document everything properly. Each supervisor needs to fill out the Supervisor’s Verification Form to confirm your hours, supervision dates, and job duties. Multiple supervisors must each submit their verification forms directly to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
Some workplaces offer on-site supervision, while others might ask you to find external supervisors. The NASW-Michigan Chapter keeps a Social Work Supervision Registry to help you find qualified supervisors. These listed supervisors have certification in core supervision, full Michigan licensure, and at least three years of field experience.
After completing your 4,000 supervised hours, you can take the ASWB exam. If you want both clinical and macro practice licenses, you must first get one designation. Then you’ll need 2,000 more supervised hours in the second specialty over at least one year.
Application Process
Want to get your social work license in Michigan? The licensing process follows specific steps you must complete in order. The Michigan board of social work manages all licensing through their online platform.
Start by creating an account on the Michigan Professional Licensing User System (MiPLUS) at www.michigan.gov/miplus. This portal connects you with the licensing board throughout your career. The next step requires you to complete the online application form with honest answers and upload supporting documents.
Application fees vary based on license type:
- Bachelor’s Social Work License (by Exam or Endorsement): $99.00
- Limited Master’s Social Work License: $44.00
- Limited Master’s Social Work Relicensure: $64.00
The board will send you an Application Confirmation letter once you submit your application and payment. This letter contains instructions to complete the required criminal background check and fingerprinting. You must get your fingerprints taken using the specific ID numbers listed in these instructions.
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs needs these essential documents sent directly:
- Official transcripts from your educational institution
- Verification of any previous social work licenses from other states
- Supervisor’s verification forms that document your supervised work experience
Additional requirements include proof of completing:
- Human trafficking identification training (mandatory after December 22, 2021)
- Two hours of implicit bias training completed within five years before license issuance
You might need to provide documentation about good moral character questions. The board requires proof of English language proficiency through one of these methods: completing a healthcare program taught in English, earning 60+ college credits from an English-speaking institution, or passing an approved English proficiency exam.
A limited license stays valid for one year with up to six renewal options. This gives you enough time to gain supervised experience and prepare for the ASWB examination.
The Michigan Board of Social Work issues your license after processing your application successfully. Make sure to keep copies of all submitted documents during the application process. The board processes applications only after receiving all required documentation and fees. You can email all documents to bpldata@michigan.gov or mail them to the Bureau of Professional Licensing.
Continuing Education
Michigan social workers just need to complete continuing education (CE) to keep their licenses active. Your learning experience continues after getting licensed, and you must meet specific requirements from the Michigan board of social work.
Michigan LMSWs and LBSWs must complete 45 CE contact hours during each three-year renewal period. This rule doesn’t apply to limited licensees or Registered Social Service Technicians (RSSTs). The 45 hours should cover these mandatory subjects:
- 5 hours must focus on ethics
- 2 hours must cover pain and symptom management
- 2 hours must address human trafficking
Since June 2022, social workers must complete 1 hour of implicit bias training for each year of their license cycle (3 total hours per renewal period). This training should happen through interactive or asynchronous teleconference/webinar formats.
You should complete half of your required CE hours (22.5 hours) in a “live synchronous format,” which includes in-person courses and live webinars. You can complete the remaining hours through on-demand coursework or other approved formats.
Your CE courses should come from these approved providers:
- NASW Michigan Chapter (Michigan Social Work CE Collaborative)
- NASW National or any state NASW chapter
- Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) ACE program
- Another state’s Board of Social Work
- CSWE-accredited schools of social work
The renewal process doesn’t require CE documentation submission, but you should keep your records for 5 years after your renewal application. Random audits happen, and selected licensees must show proof of completing all requirements. Remember, extra CE hours won’t carry over to your next renewal cycle.
CE Broker partners with the Bureau of Professional Licensing to offer a free basic account that helps track your continuing education progress. This tool lets you store all CE transcripts in one place and check your compliance status before renewal.
License sanctions may apply if you don’t meet CE requirements without an approved waiver for disability, military service, absence from the continental United States, or circumstances beyond your control. These sanctions could include reprimand, probation, denial, suspension, revocation, limitation, restitution, or fines.
Additional Information
The Michigan Board of Social Work provides several paths and resources beyond standard licensure for social work professionals.
Social workers who want an additional specialty designation must complete 2,000 hours of post-degree social work experience in their chosen specialty area. This experience spans at least one year and requires minimum 50 hours of supervisory review. Professionals can now hold both clinical and macro practice designations at the same time.
Michigan doesn’t have reciprocity agreements but welcomes out-of-state practitioners through licensure by endorsement. Practitioners with active licenses for 10+ years elsewhere qualify for LBSW or LMSW licenses through endorsement. Those with less than 10 years need to verify 4,000 hours of supervised experience.
The Social Service Technician (SST) registration comes with specific requirements. Candidates need either an Associate’s degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program or current social services employment with 2,000 supervised hours over one year. They can also qualify with two years of college including four human service-related courses.
CE Broker partners with the Bureau of Professional Licensing to help licensed professionals track their credentials easily. Their free simple account makes it easy to monitor CE progress throughout the license cycle.
Michigan social workers can access great resources through professional organizations:
- NASW Michigan Chapter provides networking, advocacy, and professional development
- Michigan Association of School Social Workers supports school social work professionals
- Michigan Social Work Continuing Education Collective connects practitioners with learning programs
Remember – the Michigan Department of Licensing will never ask for credit card information through phone, text, email, or letter.