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Social Worker (LCSW)
Total cost: Approximately $307-$397 (application + processing + exam + supervision registration)
Governing Authority
Mississippi Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists
Official website →Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
LCSW
Clinical License
Required
ASWB Exam
1,000 face-to-face client hours + 24 months experience
Supervised Hours
40 hrs
CE Hours
Approximately $307-$397 (application + processing + exam + supervision registration)
Total Initial Fees
Member
Interstate Compact
BSW-Level (LSW/LBSW)
Title
Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
Abbreviation
LSW
Education
BSW from CSWE-accredited program
Exam Required
ASWB Bachelor's Examination
Supervision
Must work under supervision of a licensed social worker at a higher level
Scope
Generalist social work practice including case management, intake assessments, referrals, and community outreach
MSW-Level (LMSW)
Title
Licensed Master Social Worker
Abbreviation
LMSW
Education
MSW from CSWE-accredited program
Exam Required
ASWB Master's Examination
Supervision
No supervised experience required for LMSW; supervision begins for LCSW track
Scope
Advanced generalist social work including assessment, treatment planning, and program development
LCSW/LISW/LICSW
Title
Licensed Certified Social Worker
Abbreviation
LCSW
Education
MSW from CSWE-accredited program with clinical coursework, plus 24 months post-MSW supervised clinical experience
Exam Required
ASWB Clinical Examination
Supervision
Independent practice -- no supervision required after licensure
Scope
Independent clinical practice including psychotherapy, diagnosis, treatment planning, and private practice
Education & Training
VerifiedBachelor's Degree
BSW from CSWE-accredited program
Master's Degree
MSW from CSWE-accredited program
Required
CSWE Accredited
900
Field Placement Hours
60 graduate credit hours for MSW
Credit Hours
Social work education must come from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The MSW is required for clinical licensure (LCSW). Field placement provides supervised clinical experience integral to social work training.
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ASWB Exam Requirements
VerifiedRequired
Bachelor's Exam
Required
Master's Exam
Required
Clinical Exam
Exam Provider
Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
Available ASWB Exam Levels
Exam Details
170
Questions
240 min
Time Limit
ASWB Exam Fee
$230 for Bachelor's/Master's; $260 for Clinical
Retake Policy
Candidates may retake the exam after a 90-day waiting period.
Overall licensing difficulty: 37/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
ASWB Social Work Licensing Exam
Browse study guides
Social Work Exam Prep Books
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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ASWB Social Work Exam
Questions
170 questions
Time Limit
240 minutes
Administered By
Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $230 for Bachelor's/Master's; $260 for ClinicalInvest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the ASWB Social Work Exam.
Study Materials & Exam Prep — ASWB Social Work Licensing Exam
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Study guides for the ASWB licensing exams.
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Post-Master's Supervision Requirements
VerifiedSupervised experience required for clinical license
1,000 face-to-face client hours + 24 months experience
Total Hours
1,000 face-to-face client contact hours
Direct Client Hours
24 months minimum
Duration
Supervisor Qualifications
LCSW with appropriate experience; 100 hours face-to-face supervision required
Supervision Ratio
100 hours face-to-face supervision
Clinical social work licensure (LCSW) requires post-master's supervised experience under a qualified clinical supervisor. Supervision must include both direct client contact hours and face-to-face supervision meetings.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $80 supervision contract + exam fees |
ASWB Exam Fee | $260 for Clinical |
License Fee | Included in application |
Supervision Registration Fee | $80 (Contract for Supervision filing fee) |
Renewal Fee | $110 (biennial, by April 30) |
Total Initial Fees | Approximately $307-$397 (application + processing + exam + supervision registration) |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years (LSW by September 30; LMSW/LCSW by April 30)
Renewal Period
40 hrs
CE Hours Required
Mandatory CE Topics
Renewal Fee
LSW: $75; LMSW/LCSW: $110
Regulatory Board
Social worker licenses must be renewed on schedule. Most states require continuing education covering topics such as ethics, cultural competency, suicide prevention, and clinical practice updates. Some states have specific mandatory CE topics that must be completed each renewal cycle.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedAccepts Out-of-State Credentials
Interstate Compact Member
Reciprocity Type
Interstate compact and endorsement
Transfer Details
Mississippi has enacted the Social Work Licensure Compact. License by endorsement is also available for practitioners from non-compact states.
Additional Requirements for Transfer
The Social Work Licensure Compact allows eligible social workers to practice across member states. States not in the compact may offer license by endorsement for out-of-state applicants with equivalent credentials and experience.
See all Social Work Licensure Compact member states & eligibility details →
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Mississippi with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Title Protection
VerifiedMississippi protects the titles LSW, LMSW, and LCSW. Using these titles without proper licensure is a violation of state law.
Telehealth Rules
VerifiedInterstate Telehealth Allowed
Telehealth permitted. Compact member.
Mandatory Reporting
VerifiedSocial Workers Are Mandatory Reporters
Licensed social workers in Mississippi are mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse, neglect, and elder abuse. Failure to report can result in disciplinary action and criminal penalties.
Social work scope of practice includes title protection, telehealth regulations, and mandatory reporting obligations. Clinical social workers (LCSWs) can independently diagnose and treat mental health conditions in most states.
Mississippi measures clinical experience primarily in face-to-face client hours (1,000) over 24 months rather than total practice hours. Splits CE evenly between face-to-face and online. Compact member.
Mississippi measures experience in face-to-face client hours (1,000) rather than total hours.
40 CE per biennium: 20 face-to-face + 20 online max.
Compact member.
Social Work Compact enacted and commission activated (April 2024) but NOT yet issuing multistate licenses as of March 2026.
LCSW supervised hours may be the LOWEST in the country (1,000 face-to-face client hours) — flagged for verification
Board-approved supervisors evaluate practicing LMSWs on a semi-annual basis (unusual)
Can apply for licensure with 15 or fewer credits remaining in degree program
Education accepts BSW/MSW from CSWE-accredited program OR regionally accredited by SACS
Social Worker requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi (you) | Approximately $307-$397 (application + processing + exam + supervision registration) | 420–450 wks | |
| Alabama | Approximately $405-$440 (application + exam + license fee) | 420–450 wks | → |
| Arkansas | Approximately $370-$435 (application + exam + background check) | 420–450 wks | → |
| Louisiana | Approximately $372-$402 for LCSW (application + background check + exam fee) | 420–450 wks | → |
| Tennessee | $380 | 420–450 wks | → |
Other professional licenses in Mississippi
See how Mississippi compares: Social Worker License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
✓ SW Compact Compact State — Mississippi is a member of the Social Work Licensure Compact. Licensed social workers from other member states may be eligible for expedited practice privileges.
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Social Worker Schools in Mississippi
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Mississippi? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Social Worker license to Mississippi →
Transfer your Social Worker license from Mississippi to: Alabama → | Arkansas → | Louisiana → | Tennessee →
Mississippi offers the LCSW as its clinical social work license. The ASWB Clinical exam is required. 1,000 face-to-face client hours + 24 months experience hours of supervised experience are required. All licensing is managed through the Mississippi Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists.
Requirements vary by state and license level. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing board.