Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Clinical Examination

Important Information

The Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Clinical Examination is one of two exams required to be passed for LCSW licensure in California.

  • The exam is administered by ASWB
  • Prior to registering, your Application for Licensure must be approved and you must pass the LCSW California Law and Ethics Exam.
  • Your name on file with the Board must match the name on your current government issued photo ID. A middle name is not required and will not be used for entrance to the exam site. If the first, last, or suffix do not match, you will need to complete a Name Change request.

Resources

Testing Accommodations

Testing accommodations will be provided to qualifying candidates who have a disability, a medical condition, or when English is their second language (ESL). Accommodations will NOT be provided unless prior approval is obtained. The testing vendor will provide an accommodation approval letter by e-mail with specific direction on how to schedule your exam with the approved accommodation. Do not schedule your exam until you receive notification of an approved accommodation.

To request ESL accommodations, you must submit the application and required documentation as indicated in the application below. Allow 90 days for processing.

All other accommodations for approved exam candidates are processed through ASWB. For full details visit:

Register for INITIAL ASWB Clinical Exam

Once your Application for Licensure has been approved and you have passed the LCSW California Law and Ethics Exam, you will be notified that you may register for the ASWB Clinical Exam. To register, visit the ASWB website:

IMPORTANT—Exam Testing Deadlines:

If you miss the testing deadlines below, your licensing file will be closed and you will have to submit a new fee, application for licensure, and meet all requirements in place at the time of reapplication. This may also result in a loss of some previously approved experience hours.

  • If you passed the LCSW California Law and Ethics Exam AFTER your Application for Licensure was approved, you MUST take the ASWB Clinical Exam within one year from the date you passed the LCSW California Law and Ethics Exam to maintain approval of your licensing file.
  • If you passed the LCSW California Law and Ethics Exam BEFORE your Application for Licensure was approved, you MUST take the ASWB Clinical Exam within one year from the date your Application for Licensure was approved to maintain approval of your licensing file.

ASWB Clinical RE-EXAM

You may retake the exam after the required 90 day waiting period has elapsed from your last exam attempt. To register, visit the ASWB website:

IMPORTANT—RE-Exam Testing Deadline:

You MUST retake the exam within one year of a failed attempt to maintain your licensure application eligibility. If you miss the deadline, your licensing file will be closed and you will have to submit a new fee, application for licensure, and meet all requirements in place at the time of reapplication. This may also result in a loss of some previously approved experience hours.

Questions

For questions regarding the ASWB Clinical Exam, please contact ASWB.

For other exam questions or issues, Message the Board and choose Exam Questions.