How to Get Your New Jersey Social Work License: Step-by-Step Guide for 2026

New Jersey faces a shortage of licensed social workers in mental health fields. A New Jersey social work license takes 4-8 years to complete, based on your chosen credential level.

Your time and money spent on education and licensure pays off well. New Jersey social workers make between $70,420 to $81,710 annually. Child, family, school, and healthcare social workers rank as the highest-paid specialists. The process moves faster than you might expect. Some programs let you earn your MSW online in just 9-27 months, depending on your previous education.

This complete guide shows you each step to get your social work license in New Jersey. You’ll discover the education requirements, exam prep details, and supervised experience you need. The guide also helps you through the application process with the New Jersey board of social workers. This resource gives you all the essential information for 2026, whether you’re starting out or ready for your license application.

Education Requirements

The New Jersey State Board of Social Work Examiners recognizes three distinct licensure levels. Each level has specific education requirements that are the foundations of your professional trip.

New Jersey provides three credentialing paths for social work professionals. Educational requirements line up with your career goals. Your educational path will determine which license you can get, making this a vital part of your planning.

Certified Social Worker (CSW)

You must meet one of these educational criteria to qualify for CSW certification:

• Hold a bachelor’s degree in social work from a program accredited (or in candidacy for accreditation) by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
• Alternative pathway for experienced professionals: A bachelor’s degree earned before April 6, 1995, in guidance and counseling, human services, marriage and family counseling, psychology, sociology, vocational/disability rehabilitation, or non-CSWE-accredited social work might qualify you. You’ll need to show one year of full-time social work experience (1,600 hours completed within any consecutive 18-month period) prior to that date

Licensed Social Worker (LSW)

LSW licensure requires you to have:

• A master’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program (or one in candidacy for accreditation), or
• A doctorate in social work from an accredited institution of higher education

Students can take the ASWB master’s examination before graduation if they’re in their final MSW semester. The exam eligibility stays valid for one year from approval.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

LCSW candidates need the most complete educational preparation:

• First, complete the LSW educational requirements
• Second, finish 12 semester hours of graduate-level coursework in clinical social work practice methods from a CSWE-accredited program

The 12 credits must cover these specialized clinical areas:

• Diagnosis and assessment in clinical social work practice
• Models of psychotherapy or clinical practice
• Clinical supervision and consultation
• Intervention with special populations

New Jersey Social Work Education Programs

New Jersey has 10 CSWE-accredited social work graduate programs. Three of these programs rank among the US News top 100. Notable programs include:

• Rutgers University (ranked #12 nationally) – MSW programs run at multiple locations (New Brunswick, Camden, Newark) with online, hybrid, and intensive weekend options. Program costs: $838 per credit for New Jersey residents, $142.005 for non-residents, $104.007 per credit for online programs
• Monmouth University (ranked #67 nationally) – Private university’s on-campus MSW programs cost $113.006 per credit
• Rowan University – Public university runs hybrid MSW programs focused on clinical practice at $838.85 per credit

BSW holders can benefit from advanced standing options available at all 10 graduate programs. This option lets you complete your MSW faster—usually in one year full-time or two years part-time, instead of the standard two to four years. Qualified candidates can save time and money through this accelerated path.

Make sure your chosen program meets the New Jersey board of social workers’ accreditation requirements. Most licensing exam registrations need proof of education from CSWE-accredited institutions.

Exam Requirements

Getting your New Jersey social work license requires passing the appropriate Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) examination. The New Jersey board of social workers specifies different exams based on your desired license level.

ASWB Examination Types

LSW licensure candidates must pass the ASWB Masters examination. LCSW candidates need to pass the more advanced ASWB Clinical examination. Each exam has its own fee:

• Masters examination (for LSW): $230.00
• Clinical examination (for LCSW): $260.00

Pre-Approval Process

The New Jersey Board of Social Work Examiners must approve you before you can take either examination. You can’t register for the exam without this approval. Your Masters exam eligibility stays valid for one year after approval.

Early Exam Eligibility for Students

LSW license candidates might qualify to take the Masters examination before finishing their degree. You need to meet one of these requirements:

• Complete at least 40 graduate-level credits of your MSW program, or
• Be enrolled in the final semester of an advanced standing MSW program

The Board needs your official transcript from your school to verify eligibility. Your MSW program’s Dean or registrar should send confirmation about your final semester enrollment.

Clinical Examination Requirements

The Board has substantially changed Clinical examination requirements since February 1, 2021. You must now complete all 3,000 supervised clinical hours before getting approval to take the LCSW exam. This timing requirement aligns with ASWB policy and affects your licensure timeline.

After Passing Your Examination

Your next steps after passing the examination depend on where you took it:

• New Jersey exam takers: Upload your unofficial passing score report to your online profile
• Out-of-state exam takers: Request an official ASWB score transfer

Exam Structure and Retakes

The ASWB examination includes 170 multiple-choice questions. Only 150 questions count toward your score, while 20 are pre-test items. You get four hours to finish the test.

Failed attempts require a 90-day waiting period before retaking the exam. The New Jersey board allows unlimited attempts, but you’ll pay the registration fee each time.

Exam Preparation Resources

The NASW-NJ Chapter provides licensure exam institutes that are a great way to get ready for both Masters and Clinical exams. These include instruction, study guides, and practice questions. ASWB study materials help you understand the exam format and content better.

Supervised Experience

Clinical supervised experience plays a vital role in getting your LCSW in New Jersey. The New Jersey board of social workers has set specific requirements. These requirements ensure clinical social workers receive proper training under qualified supervision.

LCSW candidates must complete 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience after getting their MSW degree. You need to complete this experience between two to four years. At least 1,920 of these hours must involve direct client contact. Half of those hours (960 minimum) should focus on psychotherapeutic counseling. The other 1,080 hours can include supervision time or other social work services.

Your clinical supervisor needs specific qualifications. They must have an LCSW license for at least three years. They also need 20 hours of continuing education related to clinical supervision. Your supervisor guides your professional growth throughout this journey.

Weekly supervision is required with one hour of face-to-face individual or group clinical supervision. Group supervision allows no more than four LSWs at once. You can complete up to half of your individual supervision hours through HIPAA-compliant synchronous video conferencing.

Seeking outside supervision (not at your workplace) requires these extra steps:

• Get written permission from your employer for off-premises supervision
• Tell clients you’re practicing under supervision and share your supervisor’s name
• Get clients’ written consent to share their records with your supervisor
• Make sure your supervisor gives quarterly written progress reports to you and your employer

The “Documentation of Supervised Clinical Experience” form needs completion for each supervisor and job title. This documentation should include your supervisor’s proof of the 20-hour supervision course, your official job description on agency letterhead, and your employer’s written consent for outside supervision if applicable.

The board recommends submitting a proposed plan of supervised clinical experience. This step lets the board review and give feedback on your supervision arrangement before you complete your hours. It helps you avoid problems with licensure later.

Application Process

A New Jersey social work license requires a well-laid-out application process through the New Jersey board of social workers. The state’s online portal will handle all applications from 2025, which has optimized the entire process.

Your credential choice affects the application requirements slightly. LSW and LCSW licenses need these documents:

• A completed online application form
• Application fee ($75.00 for original applications)
• Official transcripts sent directly from your educational institution to the Board via email
• Proof of successful completion of the appropriate ASWB examination

LCSW applicants need to submit “Documentation of Supervised Clinical Experience” forms with vital attachments. These include your supervisor’s Board-approved 20-hour supervision course copy, your official job description on agency letterhead from Human Resources, and a letter from your employer that authorizes case discussions with your LCSW supervisor if you have external supervisors.

The application moves through three distinct phases. The first phase takes about 46 weeks from when your completed application arrives until its first review. You’ll then receive a deficiency letter that explains any incomplete items and instructions to complete a criminal history background check.

Phase II starts after your background check results arrive and you address any deficiencies. This usually takes another 46 weeks. Background check results take about 13 weeks from your fingerprinting appointment date.

Phase III, the final review, needs roughly 12 weeks. Applications that need more review go to the Board’s next available agenda. This could extend timelines up to 48 weeks based on documentation and meeting schedules.

New Jersey doesn’t have official reciprocity agreements with other jurisdictions. Social workers licensed elsewhere can still apply for equivalent New Jersey credentials. They need to meet education and training requirements, verify their current license, and transfer ASWB scores.

The Board sends a congratulatory letter and license fee invoice via email after approving your application. Your license number arrives once you pay the fee. Physical documentation comes by mail within 10-15 business days.

Continuing Education

New Jersey social workers must complete professional development through continuing education (CE) to keep their licenses active. The New Jersey Board of Social Workers’ CE requirements differ based on your credential level. These requirements have been in place for several years.

Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) need 40 CE hours every two years. At least 20 hours must relate to clinical practice. Licensed Social Workers (LSWs) must complete 30 CE hours each biennial period. Certified Social Workers (CSWs) need 20 CE hours during their renewal cycle.

Your license type doesn’t change the mandatory topic areas that count toward total CE hours. These required subjects include:

• 5 hours in ethics
• 3 hours in social and cultural competency
• 1 hour on prescription opioid drugs that covers risks, signs of abuse, addiction, and diversion

Social workers who get their original license during the second year of a biennial period (September 1, 2021 or later) need to complete half the standard CE hours. This includes 3 ethics credits and 2 social/cultural competency credits.

Extra credits can roll over to your next renewal period. LCSWs can carry over up to 8 hours, LSWs up to 6 hours, and CSWs up to 4 hours.

The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) must approve all continuing education providers. NASW-NJ and other national associations are a great way to get qualifying courses throughout the year.

Your New Jersey social work license needs renewal every two years by August 31st of even years. You can complete the renewal process online through the state’s licensing portal and confirm your CE hours completion.

Regular continuing education helps you meet licensing requirements and will give you the latest knowledge and skills to serve your clients better throughout your career.

Additional Information

The Social Workers’ Licensing Act of 1991 created the New Jersey Board of Social Work Examiners 32 years ago. The board protects consumers by setting qualification standards, education requirements, training needs, and experience levels for social work practitioners. It oversees all three credential levels (CSW, LSW, LCSW) in the state.

New Jersey doesn’t have official reciprocity agreements with other states right now. All the same, social workers who hold valid licenses elsewhere can get equivalent New Jersey credentials if they meet the state’s education and training requirements. Your ASWB exam scores stay valid in any jurisdiction that uses that specific licensing exam.

Some professionals don’t need certification or licensure. These include:

• Students enrolled in CSWE-accredited programs (designated as “social work interns”)
• Social workers in non-profit organizations who provide services other than psychotherapeutic counseling
• School social workers certified by the NJ Department of Education (when serving students)
• Civil service employees of state, county, or local government

Your citizenship status won’t stop you from getting a license. New Jersey law lets everyone get professional licenses if they meet all requirements—you don’t need a social security number.

New Jersey’s social workers earn more than those in many other states. The average annual wages range from $70,420 to $81,710. Child, family, and school social workers make $78,150 while healthcare social workers top the list at $81,710.

Watch out for current scams targeting licensees. The Division has warned about fake emails asking recipients to download “new license software”. Remember, the Division never asks you to download software to renew or apply for licenses.