How to Get Your Connecticut Social Work License

A career as a licensed social worker in Connecticut brings great financial benefits alongside the rewarding nature of helping others. Social workers in Connecticut make a mean annual wage of $73,390, which stands well above the national average of $50,390. The state ranks among the top three nationwide for healthcare social work and child, family, and school social work specialties.

The path to getting your CT social work license follows clear steps that we’ll help you direct. You need a master’s degree in social work from an accredited program. The requirements include 3,000 hours of post-master’s experience with professional supervision and 15 hours of continuing education each year. High school graduates typically need about 7.5 years to complete the entire process. This piece lays out each licensing step to help you build your career in Connecticut’s social work field.

Education Requirements

Your journey to a Connecticut social work license follows a well-laid-out sequence that builds your professional foundation. A clear understanding of these requirements will help you map out your academic experience.

The state of Connecticut has several tiers of social work licensure. Each tier comes with specific educational requirements. The state’s licensing board accepts degrees from programs with Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation. This will give a solid foundation that meets national standards.

Bachelor’s Level Education

Starting your experience in Connecticut social work requires a bachelor’s degree. A Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) gives you specialized preparation and an edge in the field, though not all entry positions need it. BSW programs need 120 credit hours with courses in:

• Human behavior and development
• Social welfare policy
• Research methods
• Diversity and cultural competence
• Professional ethics

BSW programs include supervised field placements between 400-600 hours. These are a great way to get hands-on experience before you graduate.

Master’s Level Requirements

Advanced licensure in Connecticut needs a Master of Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited school. Students without a BSW typically need 60 credit hours. Those with a BSW can get through advanced standing options with about 30 credit hours.

Your MSW studies cover:

• Advanced clinical practice methods
• Psychopathology and diagnosis
• Program evaluation
• Advanced policy analysis
• Leadership in social work organizations

MSW programs need extensive practical experience—usually 900-1200 hours throughout the program. This gives you supervised clinical practice in settings that match your focus area.

Doctoral Options

While not needed for licensure, some social workers choose doctoral education through:

1. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Social Work – A research-focused degree that prepares you for academic roles
2. Doctor of Social Work (DSW) – A practice-focused doctorate that builds clinical and leadership skills

Specialized Training

Connecticut places high value on specialized training that helps vulnerable populations. Many MSW programs let you focus on:

• Clinical practice
• Child welfare
• Gerontology
• Substance use disorders
• School social work

The right concentration can boost your career prospects in specific areas after getting licensed.

Accreditation Considerations

Your social work program must have CSWE accreditation for Connecticut licensure. The accreditation process looks at:

• Curriculum quality and relevance
• Faculty qualifications
• Student support services
• Assessment methods
• Field education components

You should check the CSWE website to verify program accreditation before enrolling.

Course Transfer and Previous Education

The Connecticut licensing board might accept transfer credits from other CSWE-accredited programs. Field experience hours usually can’t transfer between programs.

Students with degrees in related fields might need extra social work theory and practice courses before taking the license exam. The board looks at each application to set specific requirements.

A carefully planned educational path will meet all prerequisites for Connecticut social work licensure. This helps you develop specialized knowledge to serve people from all backgrounds.

Exam Requirements

Getting your Connecticut social work license depends on passing the required examination. You need to take the Clinical Level Examination from the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) after completing your education.

Your examination starts when you submit your application to the Connecticut Department of Public Health. The Department checks your documents and decides if you can take the exam. You’ll get written instructions about exam registration after approval.

Here are the ASWB examination fees for different levels:

• Associate, Bachelors, or Masters exam: $230.00
• Advanced Generalist or Clinical exam: $260.00

Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) in Connecticut must pass the ASWB Clinical Level Examination. The Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) candidates don’t need to take the ASWB Master’s Level Examination before January 1, 2026.

The state gives you a 120-day permit to work as a social worker while you complete your exam. Here’s what you need to do during this time:

1. Contact the ASWB to register for the exam
2. Reach out to Pearson VUE to select your testing location and date
3. Get really prepared for the examination

The ASWB’s Candidate Handbook gives you the complete information about the exam process, registration steps, and what you need to bring. You might qualify for special testing arrangements if you use English as a Second Language (ESL) or have a disability. Just fill out the request form, get it notarized, and submit it with your Connecticut licensing application.

You’ll find many resources to help you pass the exam. The National Association of Social Workers Connecticut Chapter (NASW-CT) works with Social Work Examination Services (SWES) to offer exam prep training for LMSW and LCSW candidates. These courses help you review content and learn test strategies, especially when you have direct service questions that are the foundations of the exam. Students consistently give positive feedback about SWES courses and their study materials.

The ASWB is your main contact point if you have questions about the exam process or fees. Your chances of passing this crucial part of getting your Connecticut social work license will improve substantially with good preparation and understanding of the exam format.

Supervised Experience

Getting supervised clinical experience is a vital part of your trip to get a Connecticut social work license. You’ll need hands-on practice to apply your theoretical knowledge under professional guidance, beyond just education and examinations.

Connecticut requires 3,000 hours of post-master’s supervised experience in direct clinical practice for Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) candidates. You must complete this experience between three to six years from your application date. You’ll need at least 100 hours of direct face-to-face supervision during this time.

Your supervised experience should include:

• Direct client assessment – Conducting complete biopsychosocial evaluations
• Treatment planning – Developing individualized intervention strategies
• Clinical interventions – Implementing evidence-based therapeutic techniques
• Case management – Coordinating resources and referrals
• Consultation – Collaborating with other professionals
• Evaluation – Assessing intervention effectiveness

Quality supervision plays a key role in this process. Your supervisor must be a licensed clinical social worker, psychiatrist, psychologist, or advanced practice registered nurse with specialized psychiatric training. They should have at least two years of post-licensure experience to provide supervision.

Good documentation is key throughout your supervised experience. Keep detailed records of:

1. Client contact hours
2. Supervision sessions (dates, duration, topics discussed)
3. Assessment and treatment activities
4. Professional development reflections

Connecticut’s Department of Public Health has specific forms to verify your supervised experience. Both you and your supervisor(s) must sign these documents to confirm your clinical work’s nature and duration.

Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) credential requirements differ from the LCSW path. The LMSW works as a stepping stone toward full clinical licensure and helps develop basic skills in assessment, referral, and case management.

Finding the right supervision can be challenging. Many employers include supervision in their employment package. You might need private supervision otherwise, which usually costs between $75-150 per hour. Some organizations offer group supervision at lower rates, which gives you budget-friendly options and learning opportunities from different perspectives.

Your supervised experience should build your skills in cultural sensitivity, ethical practice, and evidence-based interventions. This period connects your academic knowledge with professional practice and prepares you for independent licensure in Connecticut’s social work field.

Application Process

Your Connecticut social work license trip begins when you submit your application. You can start this process after completing your education, passing the examination, and finishing your supervised experience requirements.

The original documents you need for your application include:

1. Completed application form with notarized signatures
2. Official transcripts sent directly from your educational institution
3. Verification of supervised experience hours using state-approved forms
4. Proof of exam completion from ASWB
5. Three professional references attesting to your character and competence
6. Criminal background check results
7. Passport-style photograph taken within six months of application

The Department of Public Health lets you submit your application in two ways: through their online licensing portal or by mail. The online method usually processes faster and lets you track your status.

You’ll need to pay an application fee that varies by license type. The current fee for both LMSW and LCSW credentials is $315. This non-refundable fee covers all administrative processing.

The review takes about 4-6 weeks, depending on how many applications they’re processing and whether yours is complete. Missing documents or incomplete forms are the usual causes of delays, so check everything carefully before you submit.

The Department might give you a 120-day temporary permit while they review your application. This permit lets you practice under supervision and can help you land a job while waiting for full approval.

The Department will email you if they have questions about your application. Keep an eye on your inbox and respond quickly to avoid delays if they ask for more information.

You’ll get your license number and certificate in the mail once approved. The license stays valid for one year, and you’ll need to renew it annually during your birth month.

Keep copies of everything you submit. On top of that, it’s crucial to tell the Department within 30 days if you change your address or name so you don’t miss important updates about your license.

The quickest way to handle this process is to make a checklist of required documents and track each step. This approach helps you stay organized and makes getting your Connecticut social work license much easier.

Continuing Education

You retain control of your Connecticut social work license through ongoing professional development and continuing education. Both LMSWs and LCSWs need to complete 15 hours of continuing education annually after their original license renewal. Your license year runs from the date of renewal to the same date the following year.

The 15-hour requirement includes specific mandatory topics. You must complete one hour of cultural competency training each license year. Since January 1, 2016, all licensees need two hours of training focused on veterans and their families. This training should be completed within 12 months of the 2016 license renewal and every six years after that. These requirements help social workers serve vulnerable populations effectively.

Connecticut offers several ways to complete your continuing education:

• In-person workshops, conferences, and symposiums
• Home study programs (including online education) – limited to 10 hours annually
• College courses at undergraduate or graduate level
• Presenting original papers or lectures (counts for 5 hours)

Your CE activities must meet two key criteria: approval from authorized organizations and relevance to social work practice. Programs can be approved by NASW (national or any state chapter), the Association of Social Work Boards, or CSWE-accredited schools of social work.

School social workers who hold professional educator certificates can use their Department of Education CEUs to meet these requirements. Programs certified by NASW/CT automatically fulfill all Connecticut requirements.

Proper documentation plays a significant role. Keep your certificates of completion for three years after renewal. The Department of Public Health might ask for verification. You don’t need to submit certificates with your renewal application – just confirm completion on the renewal form.

Waivers are available in specific situations. These include medical disability or illness (with physician verification) and periods when you’re not actively practicing clinical social work. In spite of that, submit waiver requests on official DPH forms before your continuing education period ends.

These ongoing educational requirements will give Connecticut social workers the knowledge to stay current with evolving best practices throughout their careers.

Additional Information

Your understanding of the Connecticut social work license process goes well beyond basic requirements. Here are some practical things you should know.

The state ties license renewal to your birth month each year. You should mark your calendar to avoid any gaps in your practice. A renewal fee of $195 can be paid through the Department of Public Health’s online portal.

Social workers can move between Connecticut and several other states thanks to licensure mobility agreements. Rules change often, so check the specific requirements before you move. Your existing credentials from another state might work in Connecticut if they match the state’s standards.

Professional organizations give social workers many valuable benefits. The National Association of Social Workers – Connecticut Chapter helps with advocacy and networking while offering cheaper continuing education. Clinical practitioners can join the Connecticut Society for Clinical Social Work to access peer consultation groups and special training.

Licensed social workers in Connecticut can find jobs at:

• CT Department of Labor Career Resource Centers
• Hospital social work departments
• Community mental health agencies
• School districts
• Department of Children and Families

Your license needs regular updates to stay current with changing rules. The Department of Public Health’s website lists all policy changes that affect your practice.

New applicants often find the documentation process challenging. Working with an experienced mentor can make things easier. Starting the paperwork early helps avoid delays.

A detailed timeline should include your education, supervised experience, examination, and application steps. Smart planning leaves room for unexpected holdups.

Success with your Connecticut social work license depends on staying organized and growing professionally. These same qualities make you a better practitioner.