How to Get Your Louisiana Social Work License
Louisiana offers three levels of social work licenses: Registered Social Worker (RSW), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Each level has specific requirements for education, examination, and experience that you must meet to practice professionally.
The Louisiana Board of Social Work manages and oversees all license requirements. RSWs and LMSWs need 20 contact hours for renewal, while LCSWs need 30 hours. On top of that, LCSW candidates must complete a Master’s or Doctorate in Social Work from a CSWE-accredited institution. They also need to document at least 5,760 hours of postgraduate practice. Note that licensing applies to all social workers, not just clinical practitioners. But if you have a license from another state, you might qualify for licensure by endorsement to speed up your application process.
This guide walks you through everything you need to get your social work license in Louisiana for 2026.
Education Requirements
Your Louisiana social work license educational path changes based on the credential you want. Each license tier builds on the previous one and creates a clear career advancement path.
You need a bachelor’s degree in social work from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program to get the entry-level Registered Social Worker (RSW) designation. This basic credential lets you perform general social work services under supervision. However, you can’t provide clinical interventions or practice independently.
The Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) level needs a master’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program. This mid-level credential expands your practice scope but still has supervision requirements. Your master’s program should give you detailed training in social work theories, research methods, and specialized practice areas. Most CSWE-accredited programs need about 60 credit hours and take two years of full-time study.
The Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) status represents Louisiana’s highest licensure level. You’ll need a master’s or doctorate in social work from a CSWE-accredited institution. While the degree requirements match the LMSW level, getting an LCSW credential needs substantial post-degree supervised clinical experience.
CSWE accreditation plays a crucial role in all licensure levels. This accreditation shows your program meets national social work education standards. Programs without CSWE accreditation won’t qualify you for Louisiana licensure, whatever the institution’s reputation.
Your future licensure depends on specific coursework. Clinical assessment methods, psychotherapy techniques, human behavior theories, ethics, and cultural diversity prepare you for practice and licensing exams. Field education gives you hands-on experience with 900+ supervised hours during your graduate program.
Look for social work programs that line up with your career goals. Programs offering specialized tracks in child welfare, mental health, healthcare, or community organization can help position you strategically after licensure.
The Louisiana Board of Social Work evaluates transcripts from other states or countries to check equivalency. International degrees need extra verification through specialized credential evaluation services.
The board accepts degrees from CSWE-accredited online programs. These programs must include in-person field placement components. Online programs without supervised field placements don’t meet the board’s requirements.
Keep your educational credentials well-documented and available. The board needs official transcripts sent directly from your schools during license application. Electronic and physical copies of your diplomas, course descriptions, and field placement evaluations make the application process easier.
Exam Requirements
Your next big step toward a Louisiana social work license comes after finishing your education. You’ll need to pass specific exams that the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) manages for the Louisiana Board of Social Work.
Each license level needs its own ASWB exam:
- Registered Social Worker (RSW) status requires the ASWB Bachelor’s exam
- Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) designation needs the ASWB Master’s exam
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) certification calls for the ASWB Clinical exam
The ASWB exams include 170 multiple-choice questions. Out of these, 150 count toward your score while 20 are pretest questions for future exams. You’ll get four hours to finish the computer-based test at approved centers in Louisiana and nationwide.
The Louisiana Board of Social Work must approve your application before you can take an ASWB exam. After getting their green light, you can sign up with ASWB and pay the exam fee:
- Bachelor’s Exam: $230
- Master’s Exam: $230
- Clinical Exam: $260
Success on these exams needs solid preparation. Here are some proven strategies:
- Study key areas like human development, assessment and diagnosis, interventions, professional relationships, ethics, and diversity
- Work through sample questions to get comfortable with the test format
- Map out your study plan a few months ahead
- Join study groups or get ASWB study materials
Book your exam only when you feel ready. The board lets you retake the test after 90 days if you don’t pass.
ASWB offers test accommodations that align with the Americans with Disabilities Act. You’ll need to ask for these during registration and provide supporting documents.
ASWB sends your passing scores straight to the Louisiana Board. They’ll look at these scores along with your application and other requirements to decide if you qualify for a license.
Your exam scores never expire in Louisiana. This means you won’t need to retake the test even if you take time to finish other license requirements.
The exam proves you’re ready to practice social work at your chosen license level in Louisiana. It shows you’ve got the professional knowledge needed to serve your community well.
Supervised Experience
Clinical supervision serves as a vital link between classroom learning and hands-on practice for social workers seeking their Louisiana license. This practical training lets you apply theory in real-life settings while experienced practitioners guide you along the way.
Getting your Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential needs more than just meeting requirements – it’s a process that builds your clinical judgment and shapes who you are as a professional. The LCSW level differs from RSW and LMSW credentials. You need substantial documented clinical practice under qualified supervision, while other levels focus mainly on education and exams.
Your supervised practice starts after getting your LMSW credential. You’ll need to find a position where you can build clinical hours with an approved supervisor watching over your work. Mental health clinics, hospitals, private practices, and social service agencies usually offer great settings to get this experience.
Your supervision should cover various clinical activities. These include assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and therapeutic work. Regular meetings with your supervisor help you discuss cases and improve your techniques. You’ll also address any professional growth needs. These sessions protect clients and give you a great chance to learn and grow.
Keeping good records matters a lot during supervision. You must track your clinical hours, supervision meetings, and types of experience carefully. The Louisiana Board of Social Work has specific forms to verify your supervised experience. Fill these out correctly when you apply for your LCSW.
Most people find supervision challenging but worthwhile. Your clinical voice develops during this time of major professional growth. You learn to handle complex ethical situations more independently. Building a strong bond with your supervisor can make this experience better. Their mentorship often continues even after meeting formal requirements.
Each license level has different supervision rules. RSWs work under general oversight, LMSWs need intermediate supervision, but LCSW candidates face the strictest standards. This stepped approach matches the growing responsibility that comes with each credential level.
Picking the right supervisor needs careful thought. Look for someone whose practice matches your interests and whose teaching style fits how you learn best. Remember that many supervisors charge fees, so include these costs in your career plans.
Your supervised experience gradually shifts from close monitoring to independent practice. This progress mirrors your path toward full licensure.
Application Process
Your Louisiana social work license application represents the final step after completing your education, examination, and supervision requirements. After meeting these prerequisites, you can submit your formal application to the Louisiana Board of Social Work.
You’ll need to download the right application form from the Board’s official website. Each license type (RSW, LMSW, LCSW) needs its own specific form. Fill out every detail on the form. The application packet has:
- Personal information and contact details
- Educational history verification
- Employment history documentation
- Exam score verification
- Supervised experience documentation (especially for LCSW candidates)
- Professional references
- Criminal background check authorization
License types come with different application fees. Submit these fees with your completed forms:
- Registered Social Worker (RSW): $100 original application fee
- Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW): $100 original application fee
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): $200 original application fee
You should budget for extra costs beyond the application fee. Background checks cost about $40. Official transcript requests and exam score reports might need additional payments based on your school and testing center.
Send all supplementary materials with your application to avoid delays. The Board needs official documentation sent straight from institutions, such as sealed transcripts and exam score reports. Request these materials early before submitting your application.
The Board takes 4-8 weeks to process applications, depending on volume and completeness. You can track your application status through their online portal or by reaching out to them.
New applicants often struggle with missing documents or incorrect forms. A good way to prevent this is to review everything carefully. Ask a colleague or mentor to check your application.
The Board will email or mail you specific instructions if they find any problems with your application. Your license number and certificate will arrive after final approval. This certificate lets you practice within your credential’s scope in Louisiana.
The Louisiana Board of Social Work can answer specific questions about your application by phone or email. Direct contact works better than general guidance.
Continuing Education
Louisiana social workers need ongoing professional development through continuing education to keep their license active. You must complete 20 clock hours of approved continuing education each year. The yearly collection period starts July 1 and ends June 30, and license renewals become due August 31.
Your license type determines specific continuing education requirements:
- Social workers need 3 hours in social work ethics every two years
- LCSWs must get 10 of the 20 hours in clinical social work content that covers diagnosis and treatment
- LCSW-BACS need 3 hours in clinical supervision every two years to retain their Board Approved Clinical Supervisor status
You can earn up to 10 hours through distance learning options like online courses, webinars, and teleconferences. These restrictions have changed at times since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners provides current policies.
NASW-LA’s Online CE Institute provides self-study video courses in ethics, supervision, and other topics. The Louisiana State Board has authorized NASW-LA to approve educational offerings for social workers. Courses from providers approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) also count toward continuing education credit.
Your continuing education hours get pro-rated based on your initial license date:
- April, May, June: 0 hours
- July, August, September: 20 hours
- October, November, December: 15 hours
- January, February, March: 10 hours
Continuing education helps protect the public by giving practitioners formal chances to boost their professional knowledge and skills. Random audits verify compliance with continuing education requirements, so keep your CE activity records for at least one year.
The Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners accepts only certificates of attendance, signed sign-in sheets, or original letters from sponsoring organizations as proof of attendance. Approved learning situations focus on professional interaction and relationship-building to boost your practice capabilities.
You can submit a written request to the board if extenuating circumstances prevent you from achieving continuing education requirements.
Additional Information
Social work professionals need to know several important details beyond the basic license requirements in Louisiana.
Licensed social workers from other states can take advantage of licensure by endorsement. This efficient process lets you get a Louisiana license without additional exams. You need a valid license in good standing from another state with similar requirements. Your current licensing board must send license verification along with your application.
License portability across states remains restricted. Louisiana has reciprocity agreements with some states. You should ask the Louisiana Board of Social Work to find out if your state qualifies.
The law gives special treatment to military spouses. Active-duty military members’ spouses stationed in Louisiana can get faster processing. They also receive temporary practice permissions during application review.
Your license needs renewal by August 31st each year. Smart professionals start this process in early August. The board sends reminder notices, but keeping your license current is your responsibility.
The board needs to know about your address and name changes within 30 days. Keeping your contact details current helps you get important updates about your license.
You must tell the Louisiana Board within 30 days if you face disciplinary action in any state where you hold a license. Your Louisiana license could be at risk if you don’t report these issues.
The board office can help with unique situations that need specific guidance.