How to Get Your Idaho Social Work License
A career in social work in Idaho comes with great prospects. Employment is expected to grow 12 percent from 2020 to 2024, which outpaces most other occupations. Master’s-level social workers in Idaho earn an average of $61,000, making this field both meaningful and financially rewarding.
You’ll need to know everything about Idaho’s social work license requirements to practice professionally. The Idaho Board of Social Work Examiners wants all applicants to graduate from an accredited school. Boise State’s MSW program fits this requirement and has managed to keep its CSWE accreditation since 1992. Social workers already licensed in other states might qualify for licensure by endorsement, which can accelerate the process.
This guide walks you through each step to get your social work license in Idaho. You’ll learn about education requirements, exams, supervised experience, and continuing education needs. The information here will help you confidently guide through the licensing process, whether you’re applying for your original license or moving from another state.
Education Requirements
Getting your Idaho social work license requires a degree program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses enforces this requirement strictly for all license types.
Your required education level depends on the social work license you want:
- For the Licensed Social Worker (LSW) designation, you must hold a Bachelor of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited college or university
- For the Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) designation, you must complete a Master of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited institution
- For the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) designation, you must possess either a Master’s or Doctorate degree in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited program
Understanding CSWE’s accreditation classifications is vital for program evaluation. Programs fall under several statuses:
- Fully Accredited: Programs meeting all CSWE standards
- Accredited (Conditional): Programs with documented noncompliance that must be addressed within a year
- Accredited (Withdrawal in Progress): Programs with planned closure dates
- Candidacy: Programs that have completed at least one year of the candidacy process moving toward full accreditation
- Pre-Candidacy: Programs with standards approved in draft form scheduled for candidacy review
Accreditation covers all approved program locations and delivery methods, including online options. This applies as long as the degree comes from that program and the course of study is explicitly listed as social work.
Most Idaho BSW programs share common admission criteria, though specific requirements vary by institution. You’ll need a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5–3.0. Prerequisites often include Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Sociology, and Human Biology. You’ll need to submit a personal statement, two to three references, and complete a background check. Experience in human services through volunteering or work is recommended but not always required.
International credentials require additional steps to get a license. The Idaho Board of Social Work Examiners doesn’t directly accept foreign degrees. You’ll need to get a credential evaluation through the CSWE’s International Social Work Degree Recognition and Evaluation Services (ISWDRES). This evaluation helps you apply to a CSWE-accredited master’s program in Idaho.
Idaho has two Master of Social Work programs. Boise State University’s MSW program has managed to keep its CSWE accreditation since 1992. Their Bachelor of Arts in Social Work program has held CSWE accreditation since 1974.
You must apply for your license, pass a criminal background check, and complete the appropriate Association of Social Workers Boards (ASWB) examination for your license level.
These educational requirements are the foundations for your Idaho social work license, but they’re just the first step. The Board reviews each application individually, so research program accreditation status carefully before enrolling to meet Idaho social work license requirements.
Exam Requirements
Your next big step after finishing your education is to pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) examination to get your Idaho social work license. The Idaho Board of Social Work wants all candidates to prove their skills through this standardized test.
You’ll need to pass specific exams based on your license level:
- For LSW: ASWB Bachelor Level Exam
- For LMSW: ASWB Master Level Exam
- For LCSW: ASWB Clinical Level Exam
The Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) needs your complete application with all documents and fees before you can register for the exam. They’ll send you exam registration instructions once they process your application. This step-by-step approach makes sure only qualified people take the test.
Here are the non-refundable exam fees you’ll need to pay:
- Associate, Bachelors, or Masters exam: $230.00
- Advanced Generalist or Clinical exam: $260.00
The ASWB exam has 170 multiple-choice questions, but only 150 count toward your score. The other 20 are test questions scattered throughout the exam. You get four hours to finish this computer-based test.
You can boost your chances of passing by getting the ASWB guide and online practice tests. These study materials come highly recommended by social work professionals. The ASWB Exam Guidebook helps you understand the exam process, test day expectations, question formats, and how the exam is created.
ASWB will give you detailed feedback about your performance if you don’t pass. You’ll need to wait 90 days before trying again, and each retake needs new registration and full payment.
The Idaho social work license requirements take special needs into account. You might qualify for special testing arrangements if you have a disability, health condition, or English isn’t your first language. This helps ensure everyone gets a fair chance.
Different rules might apply if you already have a license from another state. You might not need to take the exam if it wasn’t required for your original license. This works if you can prove you’ve actively practiced social work for five of the last seven years before applying. In spite of that, most states have similar exam requirements because the profession is standardized.
Note that passing your ASWB exam is just one part of getting licensed. DOPL must get your official exam score before they can issue your license.
Supervised Experience
Clinical licensure in Idaho requires supervised clinical experience after you get your LMSW. The Idaho Board of Social Work sets specific guidelines that form a vital phase of your professional development.
You need 3,000 hours of supervised clinical social work experience to earn the LCSW designation. This work must span between two and five years. The hours are divided into:
- 1,750 hours of direct client contact with clinical treatment
- 1,250 hours of assessment, diagnosis, and other clinical social work
- 100 hours of face-to-face supervision (group supervision cannot exceed 50 hours)
Your Idaho social work license experience depends heavily on supervisor qualifications. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker must provide at least 50% of your supervision (1,500 hours). Licensed clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, clinical professional counselors, or marriage and family therapists can provide the remaining supervision. Your supervisors must hold a valid license in the state where you gain supervised experience.
Clinical supervisors need specific qualifications. They must have an active LCSW license for at least two years before they can supervise others and complete 15 hours of clinical supervisor training. They should also complete six hours of advanced training every five years to stay current.
Some activities don’t count toward your required 3,000 hours of supervised experience. These include administrative supervision, case management, supportive counseling, continuing education, and non-clinical resource referrals. You can count time spent reviewing clinical training or continuing education with your supervisor toward your experience hours.
Your supervision must happen regularly throughout your clinical experience. Your caseload complexity and skill level determine the meeting schedule. Your supervisor takes responsibility for all clinical services you perform under their guidance.
The Idaho social work license requirements emphasize proper documentation. You must keep accurate records and get supervisor signatures on time logs. Your LCSW application needs to include completed Clinical Social Work Supervision Report forms.
The five-year maximum limit is strict. If you don’t complete all requirements within this timeframe, you can only practice at your current licensure level and cannot continue under supervision.
Application Process
Your journey to get an Idaho social work license starts after you complete your education and examination requirements. The steps you need to take are different based on whether you’re new to the field or coming from another state with an existing license.
You’ll need to submit your application through the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL). New applicants should gather these essential documents:
- A completed and notarized application form
- Application fee of $70.00 (non-refundable)
- Copy of your driver’s license or birth certificate
- Official transcripts sent directly from your college or university
- Clear, readable color copy of government-issued photo ID
- Criminal conviction disclosure form (if applicable)
- LCSW applicants must include supervision documentation
Licensed professionals from other states with similar requirements need to submit:
- All documents listed above
- $90.00 application fee (instead of $70.00)
- Official verification of licensure including exam information from all states where you hold/held a license
- Official exam report sent directly from ASWB
New licensees pay a total of $140.00, which includes a $70.00 application fee and a $70.00 original license fee. The total cost for endorsement applicants comes to $150.00, with an $80.00 license fee.
Military service members, veterans with honorable discharge, and their spouses get special benefits. These include faster application processing and credit for their military training. Active military members might not need to pay renewal fees and could skip certain renewal requirements.
Your documents must show matching names. You’ll need to provide legal proof like a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order if your name has changed.
The application process usually takes several weeks to months. DOPL will send you instructions to register for the ASWB exam. They’ll issue your license after you pass the exam and they verify your official score along with other requirements.
Planning to offer telehealth services? You’ll need a separate registration with a $35.00 fee. This registration isn’t renewable – it needs to expire before you can apply for a new one.
Keep copies of everything you submit. Missing documents will only slow down your application process.
Continuing Education
Your Idaho social work license needs regular professional development throughout your career. The Idaho Board of Social Work requires all licensed social workers to complete 30 contact hours of continuing education (CE) every 24 months before license renewal. This biennial requirement will give a solid foundation to stay current with evolving best practices and professional standards.
These 30 hours must include a minimum of 2 hours that focus on professional ethics. This ethics requirement explains the profession’s steadfast dedication to high ethical standards in practice.
Your license renewal date determines your CE tracking period. To cite an instance, if your license expires on July 31, 2024, you need to complete your CE hours between July 31, 2022, and July 31, 2024. The board won’t allow you to carry extra CE hours into the next renewal period.
You can complete your continuing education requirements through online courses that relate to social work practice. More importantly, accredited online platforms can provide all 30 required hours without restrictions.
Documentation is a vital part of meeting Idaho social work license requirements. You should keep proof of all completed continuing education for four years. This becomes especially important when you have audits, which the Board can start any time after license renewal.
You’ll need to submit completion certificates in two cases: if your license expires before renewal (on your birth date), or if the Board randomly selects you for an audit. During regular renewal, you just need to confirm meeting the continuing education requirements by answering “yes” to the relevant question.
Random audits help the Board verify continuing education compliance. Your license renewal confirms that you have documentation proving completion of required continuing education. Keeping accurate records throughout your licensure period helps avoid audit complications.
Continuing education is the life-blood of professional development that helps Idaho social workers maintain competency and uphold the highest practice standards throughout their careers.
Additional Information
The Idaho Board of Social Work Examiners oversees all social work practice in the state. Your ongoing communication with this board helps you stay informed about regulatory changes since requirements can change.
Questions about your Idaho social work license? You can reach the licensing agency directly at their website. The board’s website features proposed laws and rules that help you be proactive about regulatory changes.
Social workers should know that true reciprocity between states is uncommon. Idaho, like most states, doesn’t automatically accept out-of-state licenses without extra requirements. Licensure by endorsement offers a path for licensed social workers from other states to apply using their existing credentials.
Endorsement may still require you to meet state-specific conditions like minimum supervised hours, background checks, or jurisprudence exams. Your ASWB exam result stays valid in any state that uses that specific licensing exam.
Lost or destroyed your license? You can print a replacement through your Online Services account. Here are the current licensing fees:
- Telehealth registration: $35.00 (non-renewable)
- License renewal: $90.00 for LCSW, $80.00 for LSW/LMSW
- Inactive license renewal: $45.00 for LCSW, $40.00 for LSW/LMSW
- Reinstatement penalty: $35.00
- Certification fee: $10.00
The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) works with regulators to make adding licenses easier for social workers. This becomes crucial as practitioners extend their services across state lines through telehealth.
The board connects you to additional professional resources through links to both the Idaho Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers and the National Association.