How to Get Your Rhode Island Social Work License
A Rhode Island social work license opens doors to a fulfilling career in America’s smallest yet second most densely populated state. Rhode Island offers two distinct licensing levels for qualified social workers: the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and the Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW). This applies whether you’re starting your professional experience or advancing your career.
Your chosen credential determines the Rhode Island social work license requirements. The LICSW credential requires 3,000 hours of clinical experience spanning 24 to 72 months. At least 1,500 of these hours must focus on direct client contact through clinical services. Social workers are in high need across Rhode Island, particularly in child and family services. This makes it an excellent time to get your license. This piece will direct you through each licensing step required by the Rhode Island social work board.
Education Requirements
Your Rhode Island social work license experience starts with the right education credentials. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation represents the gold standard for all social work programs in the state. This accreditation will give a quality guarantee through a thorough peer review process. The CSWE accreditation covers all program sites and delivery methods, confirming program quality and graduate competence.
You need a Master of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited institution to get the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential in Rhode Island. A Doctorate of Social Work from an accredited university can also qualify you for this license level. The Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) path needs either an accredited MSW or DSW degree and extensive supervised clinical experience.
Rhode Island’s Social Work Statute will change its licensure requirements beginning June 2025. The national exam by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) won’t be needed for the Clinical Social Work license until at least August 15, 2030.
Rhode Island has several CSWE-accredited education options. Rhode Island College, Providence College, and Salve Regina University offer Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) programs with different field experience needs. Providence College’s program has 600 hours of professionally supervised internships, while Salve Regina needs 660 hours of practical experience. Students must keep a minimum GPA of 2.00 at college level and 2.67 in 300-level social work courses.
Rhode Island College represents the state’s only provider of Master of Social Work education. Students can pick between:
- Traditional MSW: Needs 62 credit hours and 1,080 hours of field education
- Advanced Standing MSW: Available to recent BSW graduates, needs 33 credits and 600 hours of field education
MSW program applicants should have a 3.00 GPA or higher, at least 15 credit hours in social sciences, and finished coursework in human biology and humanities.
Rhode Island doesn’t have state-based online MSW programs, but residents can join out-of-state online programs that need two or fewer campus visits each year. These programs let students complete field education requirements at local social service agencies within Rhode Island.
Rhode Island College’s unique accelerated BSW-to-MSW program is the only one of its kind in New England. Students can earn both degrees in just five years. The college focuses on hands-on learning, and all BSW students must complete two semesters of internship. Each semester needs 16 hours per week for 14 weeks.
Getting your degree from a CSWE-accredited institution is a big deal as it means that you’ll be eligible for state licensure and employment. The CSWE sets educational standards and represents thousands of individuals and organizations nationwide. This ensures you get current and quality education, training, and skills you need to practice in the field.
Exam Requirements
Rhode Island has updated its social work licensing exam requirements. These changes affect your application process based on the type of license you want. The testing requirements are different for each license type, and you need to know the specific timelines.
To get your Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) credential, you must pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) examination. This rule stays the same despite other changes. Your application package must include your exam score or certification directly from the ASWB.
Rhode Island General Laws Chapter 5-39.1-8 states that Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) license doesn’t need an exam until August 15, 2030. This creates a major difference between these two licenses. Notwithstanding that, learning about the exam structure will help if you plan to become an LICSW later.
Your examination process includes these steps:
- Board Pre-Approval: The Rhode Island social work board must approve your social work license application before you can register for any exam.
- ASWB Registration: After approval, register with the ASWB and pay your fee.
- Fee Payment: Clinical Level exam registration costs $260.00. Practice tests cost $85.00 and last 30 days.
- Application Materials: You’ll need state-issued identification, Supervised Practice Form, two professional references, and $70.00 for the application fee.
- Scheduling: Schedule your test at Pearson VUE after you get your Authorization to Test email from ASWB.
Pearson VUE test centers worldwide offer these exams, so you can choose a convenient location. The ASWB’s Exam Guidebook helps you prepare with details about exam steps, test day expectations, exam creation, and question structure.
Special accommodations exist for candidates with specific needs. You might qualify for nonstandard testing arrangements if you have a disability, health condition, or English isn’t your first language. Reach out to ASWB to learn more about these options.
Rhode Island Social Work Statute changes will make the ASWB Clinical Level exam mandatory after August 15, 2025. This means LCSW candidates should understand exam requirements now to plan their career growth.
Good preparation will help you avoid stress, delays, unexcused absences, and other issues. Rhode Island’s social work license exam system will give a solid foundation of competency and professionalism to all practitioners.
Supervised Experience
Getting supervised experience marks a key step toward practicing independently with your Rhode Island social work license. The Rhode Island social work board’s requirements outline exactly what this professional experience should look like.
Social workers pursuing the Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) credential need 3,000 hours of post-master’s practice in clinical social work. This experience must happen between 24 to 72 months (2-6 years) right before you submit your license application. The board requires that 1,500 hours—half of your total time—must go toward providing clinical social work services directly to clients.
Quality oversight comes through a structured supervision process. You’ll need two hours of supervision every two weeks. You also need one hour of supervision for every twenty hours you spend with clients. Your supervision must happen mostly in one-on-one sessions—at least 75% of the time. Group sessions can fill the remaining 25%, but these groups can’t have more than ten people.
A Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) must supervise you face-to-face to:
- Review your diagnosis, assessment, and treatment approaches for each client
- Guide you through clinical service delivery
- Evaluate how you perform and develop professionally
The Rhode Island social work license has clear rules about who can’t be your supervisor. Parents, spouses, former spouses, siblings, children, employees, or anyone living with you can’t supervise your work. The same goes for people you have romantic, domestic, or family relationships with. These rules help ensure fair evaluation and professional growth.
Rhode Island accepts experience you get while licensed as a clinical social worker or while working in exempt settings like state jobs. If you gained experience in other states, it counts only if you were properly licensed there and had appropriate supervision.
After completing your supervised practice, you can apply for the LICSW credential. You’ll need to have your LCSW license and meet other requirements like continuing education and passing the exam.
Application Process
Getting your Rhode Island social work license starts with submitting your application. You’ll need to gather several important documents after meeting the educational and supervised experience requirements.
The Rhode Island Department of Health provides the application package. Your package will stay valid for exactly one year after the department receives it. You must submit a new application if you don’t get your license within this time.
Your complete application package must include:
- A non-refundable application fee of $70.00 payable to the RI General Treasurer (check or money order preferred)
- Copy of valid government-issued photo ID
- Official transcripts sent directly from your accredited social work program to the board (student copies are not accepted)
- Two professional references
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency
LICSW credential seekers need these additional items:
- Verification of supervised practice in a sealed envelope
- ASWB examination scores sent directly from ASWB (or from your original licensing state)
- License verification from any state where you currently hold or have held a license
After submitting your application, you can get a physical license certificate for framing instead of just the wallet card. Just check the box and include a separate $30.00 payment.
Military members and their families can speed up their application process. The Military Expedition Form comes with your application packet.
Your renewal application needs to reach before May 1 of a license renewal year. Submit it by April 30 and show you’ve completed all continuing education requirements. This keeps you compliant with Rhode Island law.
The Rhode Island Board of Social Work Examiners wants transcripts, exam scores, and license verifications directly from source organizations. This keeps the application process honest.
Your license documentation arrives after application approval. LCSW applicants don’t need to take any exam until at least August 15, 2030. This makes the credential more available during this transition period.
Continuing Education
Rhode Island social workers must complete 30 contact hours of continuing education (CE) every 24 months to keep their license active. The license expires on May 1st of odd-numbered years unless it gets suspended or revoked. You need to submit your renewal application with fees and confirm that you’ve completed all CE requirements before this date.
Here’s what you need to know about CE requirements:
- 3 contact hours must cover social work professional ethics
- 3 contact hours should focus on cross-cultural practice that helps ease oppression
- Twenty-two hours require direct contact, and you can complete the other 8 hours through non-contact activities
The board makes achieving these requirements convenient by accepting CE credits from several respected providers:
- The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and its local chapters
- The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
- Other recognized social work organizations like the Federation of Clinical Social Work Societies
- Any Council on Social Work Education accredited social work department or school
The renewal process requires you to confirm your CE completion, though immediate documentation submission isn’t needed. You should keep records of all CE activities for at least four years. Random board audits happen regularly, and you could face disciplinary action if you can’t provide proper documentation when asked.
The board understands special circumstances. They might grant CE requirement extensions due to hardship or other extenuating situations. Social workers who get their initial license after May 1st don’t need to worry about CE requirements until the next renewal cycle.
Supervision experience offers additional CE opportunities. You can earn up to six CE hours per renewal period by supervising a master’s or bachelor’s level social work student for a full academic year. The board may also grant six hours credit if you supervise an impaired practitioner or someone under disciplinary sanction for one year – but this needs prior approval.
Additional Information
Rhode Island’s social work license system has two distinct levels: the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and the Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW).
The Rhode Island Department of Health provides application packages with complete information upon request. License renewal cards now arrive through email from the department. Your spam folder might contain messages from RIDOH.Licensing@health.ri.gov if you haven’t seen yours.
Licensed healthcare professionals can deliver clinically appropriate services through telehealth in Rhode Island. A valid Rhode Island license becomes mandatory when providing telehealth services to clients located within the state.
The state offers licensure by endorsement to out-of-state practitioners whose current licenses meet Rhode Island’s standards. Your application should include license verification, photo ID, official transcripts, and ASWB exam scores along with a $70.00 fee. The board determines and issues the appropriate license level.
Note that your license renewal application must reach the board by April 30 before your license expires. The application requires confirmation that you’ve completed all continuing education requirements by this deadline.