Licensing
LMSW License: What It Is, Who Needs It and How to Get It
What Is an LMSW License and How Do You Get One?
An LMSW license is the master's-level social work license: you earn an MSW, apply to your state board, and in most states pass the ASWB Masters exam. The name changes by state. Of 52 jurisdictions checked against their boards in September 2026, 25 call it LMSW, while others use LSW, LGSW, CSW or a different title, and 10 issue a master's-level credential with no exam. Use the license pathway planner to see your own state's steps.
What an LMSW License Is and What It Lets You Do
The LMSW is the license a state gives you for social work at the master’s level. It sits between the bachelor’s license and the clinical license (usually the LCSW). In practice it is the license most new MSW graduates hold while they work toward clinical licensure or build a career in case management, health care, schools, child welfare, policy or administration.
The master’s license is not an independent clinical license. Maine is the only one of the 52 jurisdictions whose board record marks a master’s-level license for independent practice. If you want to diagnose and treat without supervision, the master’s license is a step on the way, not the end point.
The BLS puts it plainly: some states require nonclinical social workers to hold a license, while all states require clinical social workers to be licensed. The median annual wage for social workers was $61,780 in May 2025. For the work itself and the four BLS job categories, see what you can do with an MSW.
LMSW, LGSW, LSW or CSW: What Each State Calls the Master’s License
“LMSW” is the most common title, but it is far from universal. Counting the master’s-level, non-clinical tier in each of the 52 board records gives this split:
| Title of the master’s license | Jurisdictions | Count |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) | AL, AR, AZ, CT, DE, GA, IA, ID, KS, LA, MD, MO, MS, MT, ND, NM, NV, NY, OK, OR, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT | 25 |
| Licensed Social Worker (LSW) | CO, HI, IL, IN, NJ, PA | 6 |
| Certified Social Worker (CSW) | KY, LA, SD, UT | 4 |
| Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW) | DC, MN, WV | 3 |
| Certified Master Social Worker (CMSW) | NC, NE | 2 |
| Other titles | AK (Master Social Worker), CA (ASW registration), FL (registered intern), MA (Licensed Certified Social Worker), ME (LM), MI (Limited LMSW), PR, WA (associate), WI (APSW) | 9 |
| No separate non-clinical master’s tier | NH, OH, RI, WY | 4 |
Louisiana appears twice because it issues both a CSW and an LMSW.
The titles trip people up in a few places. In Massachusetts, LCSW means Licensed Certified Social Worker, the master’s license; the clinical license there is the LICSW. In West Virginia, LCSW is the advanced generalist tier. Arkansas calls its clinical license a Licensed Certified Social Worker. In Ohio, the LSW is a bachelor’s-level license that also accepts the ASWB Masters exam, and the next step is the LISW. So “LSW” is the master’s license in Pennsylvania and Hawaii, but the bachelor’s license in Kentucky, where the master’s license is the CSW. When you compare states, compare the tier and the exam, not the letters.
LMSW License Requirements, in Order
The order matters here, because ASWB will not let you register until your board approves you. The usual path:
- Finish an MSW from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Of the 530 MSW options on this site, 480 are accredited and 49 are in candidacy.
- Apply for the master’s license with the board in the state where you will work. Boards set eligibility and charge their own fees.
- Once the board approves you, register with ASWB for the exam it names. The Masters exam costs US$230.
- Schedule and pass the exam at a Pearson test center.
- Pass a state law or jurisprudence exam if your state requires one. Ten jurisdiction records name one: California, Colorado, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Vermont and Wisconsin. Some apply it only to certain routes; Louisiana’s open-book exam is for endorsement and reinstatement applicants.
- Receive the license, then keep track of any supervision your state attaches to it.
Texas is a typical example: the Texas board requires the ASWB Masters exam for the LMSW and a Texas jurisprudence exam for every license. New Mexico adds a jurisprudence exam at every level, and the New Mexico board allows 3 attempts.
Which ASWB Exam the Master’s License Uses
In 33 of the 52 jurisdiction records, the master’s license names the ASWB Masters exam. It has 122 questions in two sections, of which 110 are scored and 12 are unscored pretest items, and you get four hours. The current outline, used since August 3, 2026, weights Values and Ethics at 35%, Assessment and Planning at 33% and Intervention and Practice at 32%. In 2025, 73.9% of first-time Masters test-takers passed.
A few states break the pattern:
- Michigan does not use the ASWB Masters exam at all. Its full LMSW comes with a macro designation, tested by the Advanced Generalist exam, or a clinical designation, tested by the Clinical exam. Each needs 4,000 hours. The entry credential is a Limited LMSW, which has no exam. If you study at a school such as Wayne State University’s Detroit MSW, plan for that.
- Nebraska lets you take the Advanced Generalist, Masters or Clinical exam for the CMSW, and requires Clinical if you are also applying for a mental health practice license.
- Ohio approves the Bachelors or Masters exam for the LSW, depending on what you qualify for.
- Connecticut requires the Masters exam for applicants who earned the MSW on or after January 1, 2026.
For the format, scoring and every exam level side by side, read the full ASWB exam guide.
The Master's-Level License in Every State
| State | Master's license | Exam |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Licensed Master Social Worker (Non-Clinical and Clinical) (LMSW) | – |
| Alaska | Master Social Worker | ASWB Masters |
| Arizona | Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) | ASWB Masters |
| Arkansas | Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) | ASWB Masters |
| California | Associate Clinical Social Worker (registration) (ASW) | California Law and Ethics Exam (must be taken annually until passed to renew the ASW registration, and passed to receive a subsequent registration) |
| Colorado | Licensed Social Worker (LSW) | none |
| Connecticut | Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) | ASWB Masters (required for applicants who earned the MSW on and after January 1, 2026) |
| Delaware | Licensed Masters Social Worker (LMSW) | ASWB Masters |
| District of Columbia | Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW) | none |
| Florida | Registered Clinical Social Worker Intern | none |
| Georgia | Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) | ASWB Masters |
| Hawaii | Licensed Social Worker (LSW) | ASWB Masters |
| Idaho | Master Social Worker (LMSW) | ASWB (applicable exam for the license type) |
| Illinois | Licensed Social Worker (LSW) | none |
| Indiana | Licensed Social Worker (LSW) | ASWB Masters |
| Iowa | Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) | ASWB Masters |
| Kansas | Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) | ASWB Masters |
| Kentucky | Certified Social Worker (CSW) | ASWB Masters |
| Louisiana | Certified Social Worker (CSW) | none |
| Maine | Licensed Master Social Worker (LM) | ASWB Masters |
| Maryland | Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) | ASWB Masters |
| Massachusetts | Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) | ASWB Masters |
| Michigan | Limited Master's Social Worker (Limited LMSW) | none |
| Minnesota | Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW) | ASWB Masters |
| Mississippi | Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) | ASWB Masters |
| Missouri | Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) | ASWB Masters |
| Montana | Licensed Master's Social Worker Candidate (SWLM) | – |
| Nebraska | Provisional Certification as a Master Social Worker (PCMSW) | – |
| Nevada | Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) | ASWB Masters |
| New Hampshire | No separate master's license | – |
| New Jersey | Licensed Social Worker (LSW) | – |
| New Mexico | Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) | ASWB Masters |
| New York | Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) | ASWB Masters |
| North Carolina | Certified Master Social Worker (CMSW) | ASWB Masters (or ACSW examination) |
| North Dakota | Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) | ASWB Masters |
| Ohio | No separate master's license | – |
| Oklahoma | Licensed Masters Social Worker (LMSW) | ASWB (exam level not assigned to this license in the rules retrieved) |
| Oregon | Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) | ASWB Masters |
| Pennsylvania | Licensed Social Worker (LSW) | ASWB Masters |
| Puerto Rico | Profesional del Trabajo Social Licenciado(a) Permanente (por maestría) | – |
| Rhode Island | Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) | none |
| South Carolina | Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) | ASWB Masters |
| South Dakota | Certified Social Worker (CSW) | ASWB (board-prescribed exam; level not named in the rule) |
| Tennessee | Licensed Master's Social Worker (LMSW) | ASWB Masters |
| Texas | Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) | ASWB Masters |
| Utah | Certified Social Worker (CSW) | none |
| Vermont | Licensed Master's Social Worker (LMSW) | ASWB Masters |
| Virginia | Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) | ASWB Masters |
| Washington | Advanced Social Worker Associate | – |
| West Virginia | Licensed Graduate Social Worker (Level B) (LGSW) | ASWB Masters |
| Wisconsin | Social Worker - Advanced Practice (APSW) | ASWB Masters |
| Wyoming | Provisional Clinical Social Worker | – |
From each state's social work board, September 2026.
States That Issue a Master’s License Without an Exam
Ten jurisdictions issue at least one master’s-level credential with no exam in their board records. They are not all the same kind of credential, so read each one:
- Colorado: the LSW and the Clinical Social Worker Candidate need no exam, though Colorado requires its jurisprudence exam. See Colorado MSW programs and licensing.
- District of Columbia: the LGSW record lists no exam. D.C. Law 26-7 made that exam optional, a recent change worth confirming with DC Health before you rely on it.
- Florida: the Registered Clinical Social Worker Intern registration has no exam.
- Illinois: the IDFPR LSW needs no exam, and MSW applicants need no supervised experience for it.
- Louisiana: the CSW has no exam; the LMSW requires the ASWB Masters exam.
- Michigan: the Limited LMSW has no exam.
- North Carolina: the LCSW Associate has no exam; the CMSW requires the ASWB Masters exam.
- Oregon: the Clinical Social Work Associate has no exam; the LMSW requires the Masters exam.
- Rhode Island: the master’s-level LCSW has no exam, a waiver set to run until August 15, 2030.
- Utah: the CSW has no exam.
One trade-off: the Social Work Licensure Compact requires a passed qualifying national exam for its master’s multistate license. A no-exam credential gets you working sooner, but it will not carry you into the compact.
Supervision After You Get the License
Most states attach supervised experience to the clinical license, not the master’s license. Only a handful of records put supervision on the master’s tier itself:
- Alabama: after licensure, the LMSW designates non-clinical or clinical and completes at least 96 hours of supervision over 24 months, within a 36-month window.
- Georgia: the first two years of practice after the LMSW is issued must be under direction and supervision.
- Montana: at least 1,500 hours of post-degree supervised work over no less than 18 months, with at least 75 hours of supervision.
- Nebraska: the CMSW requires at least 3,000 hours of post-degree experience under a certified master social worker.
If you plan to go clinical, the hours you work as an LMSW under a qualified supervisor usually count toward the clinical license. Start the clock with the right supervisor from day one.
From LMSW to LCSW: What the Next License Requires
Across the 38 jurisdiction records with a clinical hour count, supervised experience runs from 1,500 hours (Florida) to 4,000 (Arkansas, Michigan and Minnesota), with a median of 3,000. New York counts time instead: the LCSW requires 36 months.
| State | Master’s license | Its exam | Clinical license | Clinical experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | LMSW | ASWB Masters | LCSW | 36 months |
| Texas | LMSW | ASWB Masters | LCSW | 3,000 hours over 24 months |
| California | ASW registration | California Law and Ethics Exam | LCSW | 3,000 hours |
| Michigan | Limited LMSW | None | LMSW (Clinical) | 4,000 hours |
| Minnesota | LGSW | ASWB Masters | LICSW | 4,000 hours |
| Massachusetts | LCSW | ASWB Masters | LICSW | 3,500 hours |
| Illinois | LSW | None | LCSW | 3,000 hours |
| Florida | Registered intern | None | LCSW | 1,500 hours |
| Pennsylvania | LSW | ASWB Masters | LCSW | 3,000 hours |
Not everyone heads for the clinical license. Fifteen jurisdictions offer an advanced non-clinical or macro tier, such as Missouri’s Licensed Advanced Macro Social Worker, Tennessee’s LAPSW, Minnesota’s LISW and Washington’s LASW. Most of these use the ASWB Advanced Generalist exam. For the clinical route in full, see how to become an LCSW.
Taking Your Master’s License to Another State
Your exam score travels: ASWB says a passing score is valid in all states and provinces for the same exam category. Your license does not, at least not yet. You apply to the new state’s board, meet its title and exam rules, and pass its jurisprudence exam if it has one.
The Social Work Licensure Compact will change that. Thirty-three of the 52 jurisdictions are listed as members, including New York’s neighbors Connecticut, New Jersey and Vermont, but the Commission says multistate licenses are not being issued yet. When they are, the master’s category will require an accredited MSW and a passed national exam. California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas are not members.
For every state’s tiers on one page, see social work license requirements by state.
Choosing an MSW With the License in Mind
Your MSW decides how smoothly the license goes. Check these before you enroll:
- CSWE status. The compact requires an accredited MSW, and CSWE says an accredited online degree counts the same as a campus one for boards that require accreditation. Don’t treat a candidacy program as accredited.
- The state where you’ll be licensed. If it’s Michigan, plan for the Limited LMSW and a designation. If it’s Massachusetts or Minnesota, expect 3,500 or 4,000 clinical hours later.
- Field placements near you. Online programs such as Fordham University’s online MSW or Boston University’s online MSW still place you at an agency. Confirm they place students in your state.
- A program in your licensing state. Studying where you’ll be licensed puts you in front of local supervisors early. Options include NYU’s MSW in New York, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities MSW, UT Austin’s MSSW, Loyola University Chicago’s MSW and the University of Utah MSW.
- Advanced standing if you hold a BSW. Across the programs on this site, the median advanced standing plan is 33 credits against 60 for the full MSW; check eligibility with the advanced standing checker.
To shortlist programs by state, format and cost, try the MSW program matcher.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Get the Master's License With Only a BSW?
No. ASWB lists a master's degree in social work as the requirement for the Masters exam, and the master's tier in each state is built on the MSW. A BSW leads to the bachelor's-level license, which 31 jurisdiction records tie to the ASWB Bachelors exam. A BSW can shorten the MSW itself through advanced standing.
How Much Does the ASWB Masters Exam Cost?
ASWB charges US$230 to register for the Masters exam, paid by credit card and nonrefundable. Your state board charges its own application and license fees on top of that.
What Happens if I Fail the Masters Exam?
You wait at least 90 days before you retake it. ASWB lets you request a waiver of the wait if your score was within 10 points of passing and your state allows waivers. Some boards also cap the number of attempts.
Does an Online MSW Qualify You for the LMSW?
Yes, if it is CSWE-accredited. CSWE states that delivery method does not affect educational quality, so a board that requires an accredited degree sees no difference between an online and an on-campus MSW. Field placements are still done in person at an agency.
Do I Retake the Exam if I Move to Another State?
Not for the same exam category. ASWB says a passing or failing score is valid in all states and provinces for the same examination category. You still apply to the new state's board, and 10 jurisdictions also require their own law or jurisprudence exam.
Why Is Massachusetts' Master's License Called an LCSW?
Massachusetts uses Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) for its master's-level license, which takes the ASWB Masters exam. Its clinical license is the LICSW, which requires 3,500 hours of supervised experience. In most other states LCSW means the clinical license, so read the full title before you compare.
Keep Reading
- MSW SpecializationsThe main MSW specializations, how many verified programs offer each, and the jobs and licenses each one leads to
- Social Work Degree LevelsThe BSW, MSW and doctoral social work degrees, what each qualifies you for and how advanced standing links them
- MSW Admission RequirementsWhat MSW programs require for admission, with counts from verified program pages
- MSW Cost and Financial AidMSW tuition from verified programs, advanced standing savings, federal aid and loan forgiveness for social workers
- MSW Dual DegreesEvery verified dual degree paired with the MSW, by school
- Social Work LicensingHow social work licensing works, the license tiers, the ASWB exams and where to find each state's rules
Sources
- ASWB: Social Work Licensing Exam information
- ASWB Examination Guidebook (August 2026)
- ASWB: Exam pass rates
- ASWB: If you fail the exam
- CSWE: Accreditation FAQs
- Social Work Licensure Compact
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Social Workers
- Each state's social work licensing board, reviewed September 2026