Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Information for Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW) and
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Applicants
- Education
- Master’s degree in Social Work from an accredited school of social work
- Electronic Transcripts
- Additional Coursework
See the “Application Instructions” within each application packet for a list of required courses
- Register as an ASW
- Live Scan
- Live Scan available only in California.
- Results submitted to DOJ and FBI electronically
- Live Scan Request Form
- Additional information
- Criminal Background Check
- Evaluation of the applicant’s criminal history is part of the application process
- Criminal Background FAQ – AB2138 – Updated 12/17/2020
- Take and Pass the California Law & Ethics Exam
- Exam must be TAKEN annually (until passed) to renew ASW Registration
- Exam must be PASSED to receive a subsequent ASW Registration
- LCSW Law and Ethics Exam Candidate Handbook
- Request for Initial Law & Ethics Examination
- Request for Re-Examination
- Accrue Supervised Experience
- Applicants cannot accrue supervised experience without registering with the Board, except under the 90-day rule.
- 90-Day Rule FAQ
- 3,000 total supervised hours, over 104 weeks (minimum)
- Hours must be submitted with the Application for Licensure
- See also:
- Take and Pass the ASWB Clinical Exam
- All requirements above must be fulfilled before clinical exam eligibility will be approved.
- Application for Licensure (IN-STATE)
- Application for Licensure (OUT-OF-STATE)
- Exam Candidate Handbook
- Schedule Exam with ASWB
- More Exam Info
- Obtain LCSW license
- Applicants must request license and pay an initial license fee after passing Clinical Exam
- Request Initial License
- 6-year Life Span
- Registrations issued by the Board are valid for a 6-year period (five renewals)
- Registrants who have not completed all hours of supervised experience within the 6-year life span, must apply for a subsequent registration number, to continue the path toward licensure
- Many registrants apply for a second (or third, etc.) registration number to gain additional supervised work experience or for employment purposes
- Private Practice Settings
- Registrants cannot work in a private practice setting with a subsequent registration number.
- Examination Requirements
- Applicants must PASS the California Law and Ethics Exam before a subsequent registration can be issued.
- Additional Info
- List of accredited schools of social work in California
- Additional coursework is not required unless noted
- California State University (CSU)
- California State University, Bakersfield | Social Work Program
- California State University, Chico
- California State University, Dominguez Hills | Additional Courses Required
- California State University, East Bay
- California State University, Fresno | Department of Social Work Education
- California State University, Fullerton | Social Work Program
- Humboldt State University
- California State University, Long Beach | Department of Social Work
- California State University, Los Angeles | Department of Social Work
- California State University, Monterey Bay
- California State University, Northridge
- California State University, Sacramento | Division of Social Work
- California State University, San Bernardino | Department of Social Work
- San Diego State University | School of Social Work | Additional Courses Required
- San Francisco State University | School of Social Work Education
- San Jose State University | Department of Social Work
- California State University, San Marcos
- California State University, Stanislaus | Department of Social Work
- University of California (UC)
- Azuza Pacific University
- California Baptist University
- Loma Linda University
- University of Southern California
- Forms
Expedite Requests
- Military Veteran Expedite Request
- Military Spouse/Domestic Partner Expedite Request
- Refugee/Asylee/Special Immigrant Visa Holders Expedite Request
ASW Registration Applications
Supervision Forms
- ASW Weekly Log
- Supervisor Responsibility Statement
- Supervisory Plan
- Sample Verification of Employment as a Volunteer
- Sample Letter of Agreement – Volunteer Supervision (In-State Hours Only)
Licensure Applications
Exam Requests and Info
- Application for INITIAL Law and Ethics Exam (First-time Applicants ONLY)
- Application for Re-Examination
- Schedule Exam with ASWB
Initial License Request
- Publications