How to Get Your Social Work License in Georgia
Getting a social work license in Georgia opens excellent career opportunities. The state currently has 14,150 social workers. Social work jobs in Georgia grow faster than the national average. Mental Health & Substance Use Counselors show a growth rate of 21.7% compared to 18.4% nationwide. Your earning potential increases with a license, and Georgia social workers earn between $50,810 and $77,160.
Georgia has unique licensing requirements. It’s one of nine states that need a master’s in social work (MSW) for licensure. This higher education requirement pays off well. MSW holders earn $13,000 more per year than those with just a BSW. The Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists oversees all licensing requirements. They set the standards for education, supervision, and continuing education. Let us guide you through each step to get your social work license in Georgia quickly and with confidence.
Education Requirements
Georgia maintains stricter educational standards for social work licensing compared to other states. Most regions allow practice with a BSW. Georgia requires all licensed social workers to have a master’s degree in social work from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program.
A social worker’s path to licensure in Georgia takes four to five years. This includes both undergraduate and graduate education before license application. Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credentials need the same basic education—an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program.
Students looking for the quickest way to get licensed have two options:
- A four-year bachelor’s in social work plus a one-year advanced standing master’s program
- An accelerated BSW/MSW dual-degree program that lets students finish both degrees in about four years
Seven CSWE-accredited MSW programs exist in Georgia. Each program offers unique specializations and formats. Clark Atlanta University represents the state’s oldest accredited program, dating back to 1928. The University of Georgia (ranked 20th nationally), Georgia State University, Kennesaw State University, Valdosta State University, and Albany State University round out the accredited schools.
These Georgia programs feature advanced standing options for BSW degree holders. Qualified students can complete their MSW in one year, which cuts the regular program time in half. This saves both time and money on tuition costs.
Programs come in different formats to fit student needs. Valdosta State University combines five intensive weekends with online courses—perfect for working professionals. Albany State University runs a fully online program built for non-traditional students. The University of Georgia’s MSW program needs 60 credit hours: 44 hours online and 16 hours in practicum education.
Georgia’s MSW programs prepare students for clinical practice mainly. Each school offers different specializations. The University of Georgia teaches micro practice, macro practice, and integrated practice. Kennesaw State University focuses on clinical social work and provides a graduate certificate in social entrepreneurship.
Students should check their chosen program’s accreditation status. CSWE’s directory lists programs as “Accredited,” “Accredited (Conditional),” “Accredited (Withdrawal in Progress),” “Candidacy,” or “Pre-Candidacy”. Georgia only licenses graduates from fully accredited programs.
Part-time students might need more time to graduate. LCSW candidates also require extra post-graduate supervised experience after earning their MSW degree.
Exam Requirements
Getting your social work license in Georgia requires passing the right Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam. Your license level determines which exam you need to take.
The exam journey starts when the board gives you approval. You’ll need to send your complete application to the Georgia Composite Board with all supporting documents. The board takes a full picture of your qualifications. You’ll receive an email with next steps once they confirm you meet all requirements.
After the board’s approval, you need to register with ASWB for your exam:
- For LMSW: The ASWB Masters exam ($230 fee)
- For LCSW: The ASWB Clinical exam ($260 fee)
Pearson VUE handles the social work licensing exams at test centers worldwide. You can schedule your test after you get the Authorization to Test email from ASWB.
Georgia’s licensing system offers two exam paths:
MSW Licensure by Examination This path works best for first-time candidates who haven’t taken the national licensure exam. You’ll need these documents:
- Completed, signed, notarized application with fee
- Official MSW conferred college transcript
- National background check
- Secure and verifiable document
- Affidavit of citizenship
- Immigration documents (if applicable)
MSW Licensure by Exam Waiver Candidates who passed the national licensure examination can choose this option. Along with the documents listed above, you must include:
- Official national exam passing score report
- Verification of licensure held in another state (if applicable)
Clinical licensure (LCSW) follows similar paths but needs extra proof of supervised experience.
Failing the exam comes with some risks. You must retake it on the next scheduled date if you fail. The state won’t let you practice social work in Georgia after three failed attempts unless you’re statutorily exempt.
Georgia offers plenty of resources to help you prepare. The National Association of Social Workers – Georgia Chapter runs preparation courses, and other programs provide study materials until you succeed. In spite of that, these courses work best as add-ons to your own study plan and don’t guarantee you’ll pass.
Most people need 3-5 weeks to prepare well. Successful candidates usually study at least 5 hours each week. Planning your exam prep ahead of time helps you get your social work license in Georgia smoothly.
Supervised Experience
Getting supervised experience is a vital step toward earning your social work license in Georgia. You’ll need to accumulate substantial clinical practice hours under qualified supervision after completing your MSW and passing the appropriate exam.
Georgia requires 3,000 hours of supervised experience for LCSW candidates. This experience should span between 36 to 108 months (3-9 years). The first 2,000 hours must involve direct supervision and direction in clinical social work practice. Your supervised experience needs 120 documented supervision hours. A licensed clinical social worker who meets the state’s supervisor qualifications must provide at least half of these hours.
The supervision process follows specific formats:
- Individual Supervision: One supervisor meeting with a maximum of two supervisees
- Paired Supervision: Two supervisees with one supervisor
- Group Supervision: One supervisor meeting with up to six supervisees (maximum 50% of required hours)
Supervisors and supervisees must keep detailed records of each session. These records should include the date, duration, type, and a brief summary of discussed activities. The Board might request these records during application review, especially when reported hours show inconsistencies.
Social workers who hold both an MSW and a doctoral degree in related fields face reduced requirements. These fields include Professional Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Applied Psychology. They need 2,000 hours of supervised experience over 24-72 months, plus 80 hours of supervision.
Many candidates struggle to find affordable supervision. Professional organizations help connect supervisees with qualified supervisors. The Georgia Society for Clinical Social Work (GSCSW) keeps a list of volunteer supervisors who offer reduced rates for members. Individual supervision typically costs $40-$80 per hour, paired supervision runs $60-$80 total, and group supervision ranges from $30-$40 per person. The National Association of Social Workers Georgia Chapter (NASWGA) will launch a new Certified Clinical Supervisor Registry after June 30, 2024. This registry requires supervisors to complete certification training.
Your supervised experience helps you develop clinical skills through case presentations, audiotapes, videotapes, and direct observation of your practice. This period serves as professional training and helps you apply the person-in-environment viewpoint that makes social work unique among mental health disciplines.
Application Process
Getting your social work license in Georgia needs close attention to detail and specific procedures. You must submit all applications electronically through the GOALS (Georgia Online Application Licensing System) portal. The Georgia Composite Board has moved away from paper applications. This portal serves as your central hub throughout the licensing process.
You should gather all required documentation for your license type before starting your application. The Georgia Composite Board reviews only complete applications. Your application needs these documents for both LMSW and LCSW:
- Completed, signed, and notarized application with appropriate fee
- Official MSW transcript showing degree conferral
- National background check results
- Secure and verifiable document
- Affidavit of citizenship
- Immigration documentation (if applicable)
LCSW applicants need to submit verification of supervised experience. Out-of-state licensees applying through exam waiver must include their official exam passing score report and verification of licensure from their previous state.
Your application takes about 20 business days to process after submission, excluding weekends and holidays. This timeline can vary based on individual circumstances and application volume. A deficiency letter might ask for missing documentation. The 20-day processing period starts over once you submit the correct materials.
The Board must receive all documents at least fourteen days before the next scheduled meeting to review them. Complete applications move to the next available Board meeting after staff review.
Your application stays valid for one year from either the receipt date or your approval to take the required licensure exam. The Board closes applications not completed within this timeframe. You’ll need to start over with new documentation and fees.
Keep your contact information current, especially email. The Board communicates mainly through email. Quick responses to Board communications help avoid unnecessary delays.
Georgia doesn’t offer reciprocity with other states. Licensed social workers from other states must apply either by examination or exam waiver. They need to meet all Georgia-specific requirements, including reference letters and background checks.
Continuing Education
Your Georgia social work license needs regular professional development through continuing education (CE). The Georgia Composite Board sets specific CE requirements to help licensed social workers stay up-to-date with best practices and ethical standards.
LCSW and LMSW license holders need to complete 35 hours of continuing education every two years. The two-year license cycle starts October 1st of even-numbered years and ends September 30th of the next even-numbered year.
Here are the key CE components you need:
- 5 hours minimum on professional ethics through live, immediate learning activities only
- 15 core hours minimum that connect to your specialty area
- 15 related hours maximum from fields like psychiatry, psychiatric nursing, or psychology
- 10 hours maximum through self-paced online courses
You can meet these requirements in several ways. Professional associations, academic departments, and approved licensing boards offer activities that count toward core hours. Related hours come from mental health specialties or allied professions.
The board allows up to 5 hours of independent study per cycle. Ethics and core hours don’t qualify through this method. Any extra ethics hours beyond the required 5 can count toward your core or related hour requirements.
Your sponsoring organization must verify clock hours and specify if the activity was live or self-paced. The board might ask for these records during license renewal or audits.
Board rules limit you to 20 hours maximum from any single CE activity, workshop, or academic course. This helps you get diverse professional development experience.
Note that keeping up with these requirements helps you renew your Georgia social work license smoothly.
Additional Information
Social work license maintenance in Georgia involves several practical aspects beyond the basic requirements. All social work licenses expiring biennially on September 30th of even-numbered years. You should mark your calendar early because missing the standard renewal deadline gives you only until October 31st for late renewal. After that, your license needs formal reinstatement.
The Georgia Secretary of State’s Professional Licensing Boards Division will move to 3920 Arkwright Rd., Suite 195, Macon, GA 31210. The new lobby opens September 29, 2025. Knowing about these administrative changes helps you avoid processing delays.
You must renew all licenses online through the GOALS portal. LMSW and LCSW license renewal costs $100.00 plus a $10.00 processing fee, making it $110.00 total. Your license may show “Active-Renewal Pending” status during review, but you can still practice normally.
The Board offers reasonable exam modifications for candidates with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act. You can ask for accommodations by applying with supporting documentation to ASWB. They will forward it to the Board to get final approval.
Military service deserves special recognition. Veterans, active military members, transitioning service members, and military spouses might qualify for exam point credits and faster application processing. A DD-214 form showing service during a conflict period for at least 90 days helps you claim these benefits.
When you think over career mobility options, Georgia doesn’t offer endorsement or reciprocity for social work licenses from other states. Licensed social workers moving to Georgia must apply through the exam waiver process if they’ve passed the required national exam.
Staying compliant with Georgia’s licensing requirements protects your career and the vulnerable people you serve. Professional associations like NASW Georgia Chapter or the Georgia Society for Clinical Social Work are a great way to get updates about regulatory changes. This helps you practice legally and effectively.