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Licensing & Professional Resources

Social Work Licensing

Getting your social work license can seem like an overwhelming task. You may be asking yourself:

  • Do I even need to be licensed? 
  • How do I get my license? 
  • How do I prepare for taking the licensing test?
  • How much will the licensing test and application cost? 
  • How long will it take to get licensed?
  • Can I work before I have my license?

The Rutgers School of Social Work is pleased to provide you with information to guide you through the process of taking the licensing exam and to answer many of the questions you may have about licensing in New Jersey and beyond.

While it is not required, we do encourage students who would like formal preparation from an instructor on how to answer questions that mirror those appearing on the actual licensing exam to register for one of the licensing test preparation workshops offered by the School of Social Work’s Office of Continuing Education (CE) or through the National Association of Social Workers – New Jersey Chapter (NASWNJ). To obtain a calendar of licensing test preparation workshops and details on how to register for them online, visit our Continuing Education (CE) page.

Below are the main websites related to social work licensing. Please note that all of these websites are updated regularly. Therefore, you should access them at least once a semester prior to taking the licensing exam to ensure that you have the most current information regarding steps to getting licensed, registering for a test preparation course, and licensing-related fees. We recommend that students take the exam in the final semester prior to graduation.

Two students studying in front of bookcase

Recommended LSW Exam Prep Resources

Books 

  • Apgar, D. (2020). Social work licensing advanced generalist exam guide: A comprehensive study guide: (3rd Edition), Springer Publishing Company. (Note: The 2nd edition is currently available online via the Rutgers library. When available, we are adding this 3rd edition. Both include practice exams). 
  • Apgar, D. (2020). Social work licensing master’s exam guide: A comprehensive study guide for success (3rd Edition), Springer Publishing. (Note: Includes Interactive Digital Prep for the ASWB Masters Exam) 
  • ASWB (2020). ASWB Masters Study Guide 2020 and 2021: Social Work ASWB masters exam guide with practice test questions for the MSW exam (3rd Edition), TPB Publishing. 
  • Inc. Bar Charts (2014). DSM-5 overview (Quick Study Academic) (pamphlet) 

Online Activities and Study Apps 

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Frequently Asked Questions 

  • For assistance in completing coursework or education verifying documents for licensure applications, contact studentaffairs@ssw.rutgers.edu.

  • Visit the Association of Social Work Board's website for background on social work licensing exams, including registration, fees, and other requirements.

  • As stated by the NASW, "No. You cannot start counting the required 1,920 hours of face-to-face client contact until you have earned a master's degree in social work and have an LSW or proof that you are engaged in social work practice in an exempt setting for which licensure is not required." (NASW Licensing FAQs)

  • Visit the Office of Continuing Education webpage. Rutgers SSW Office of Continuing Education is the largest University-based program of its kind in the nation. This office offers over 400 programs each year, as well as 12 certificate programs all lead by expert instructors.

  • Yes. According to the NASW, "The New Jersey Board of Social Work Examiners (BSWE) issues licenses and certifications for a two-year period." (NASW Licensing FAQs) 
    Answers may vary state-by-state.

Licensing Documentation

Applying for licensure and need coursework verifying documents? Contact Rutgers School of Social Work's Student Affairs team.

Licensure Requirements by State

Rutgers MSW program prepares you for professional licensure in New Jersey. Students typically take the LSW exam during their final semester of the MSW. Upon passing the exam, and successful completion of the MSW degree, graduates may apply for licensure. Clinical social work licensure (LCSW) requires an additional two years of post-graduate, supervised clinical experience. Learn more on the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) website.

  • LGSW - CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination. More information.

  • LMSW - CSWE accredited program transcript, pass master’s level ASWB examination and 3 professional references. More information.

  • LMSW - CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination. More information.

  • LMSW - CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination. More information.

  • ASW - CSWE accredited program transcript, “California Law and Professional Ethics” 18-hour course and pass the California Law and Ethics exam. More information.

  • LSW - CSWE MSW transcript, Colorado Mental Health Profession’s Jurisprudence Examination and complete the Healthcare Professions Profiling Program. More information.

  • LMSW - CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination. More information.

  • LGSW - CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination. More information.

  • LCSW only - CSWE accredited program transcript,  pass master’s level ASWB examination, and 3200 post education supervised clinical hours. More information.

  • LCSW only - CSWE accredited program transcript,  pass master’s level ASWB examination, and 24 months post education supervised clinical (1500) hours. More information.

  • LMSW - CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination. More information.

  • LSW - CSWE accredited program transcript and pass ASWB examination. More information.

  • LMSW - CSWE accredited program transcript, pass ASWB examination and 3 professional references. More information.

  • LMSW - CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination. More information.

  • LSW - CSWE accredited program transcript and pass ASWB examination. More information.

  • LMSW - CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination. More information.

  • LMSW - CSWE accredited program transcript, pass master’s level ASWB examination and 3 professional references. More information.

  • CSW - CSWE accredited program transcript and pass ASWB examination. More information.

  • LMSW - CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination. More information.

  • LMSW - CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination. More information.

  • LGSW - CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination. More information.

  • LSW - CSWE accredited program transcript and pass ASWB examination. More information.

  • MSWL Limited - CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination. More information.

  • LMSW - CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination. More information.

  • LMSW - CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination. More information.

  • LMSW - CSWE accredited program transcript, pass master’s level ASWB examination and 3 professional references. More information.

  • LCSW only - CSWE accredited program transcript,  pass master’s level ASWB examination, and 3000 post education supervised clinical hours. More information.

  • CSW - CSWE accredited program transcript. More information.

  • LSW - CSWE accredited program transcript and pass ASWB examination. More information.

  • LICSW only - CSWE accredited program transcript,  pass master’s level ASWB examination, and 3000 post education supervised clinical hours. More information.

  • LSW - CSWE accredited program transcript and pass ASWB examination. More information.

  • LMSW - CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination. More information.

  • LMSW - CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination. More information.

  • CMSW - CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination. More information.

  • LMSW - CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination. More information.

  • LSW - CSWE accredited program transcript and pass ASWB examination. More information.

  • LMSW - CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination. More information.

  • LMSW - CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination. More information.

  • LSW - CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination. More information.

  • LCSW only - CSWE accredited program transcript,  pass master’s level ASWB examination, and 3000 post education supervised clinical hours. More information.

  • LMSW - CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination. More information.

  • CSW - CSWE accredited program transcript, pass master’s level ASWB examination and 3 professional references. More information.

  • LMSW - CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination. More information.

  • LMSW - CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination. More information.

  • CSW - CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination. More information.

  • LMSW - CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination. More information.

  • LSW - CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination. More information.

  • LASW - CSWE accredited program transcript,  pass master’s level ASWB examination, 4 hours of HIV/AIDS training, and 3200 post education supervised clinical hours. More information.

  • LGSW - CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination. More information.

  • APSW - CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination. More information.

  • CSW - CSWE accredited program transcript and pass master’s level ASWB examination. More information.

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