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Social Worker (LCSW)
Total cost: $385
Governing Authority
Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing — Social Work
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
4,000
Supervised Hours
40 hrs
CE Hours
$385
Total Initial Fees
Member
Interstate Compact
BSW-Level (LSW/LBSW)
Title
Social Service Worker
Abbreviation
SSW
Education
BSW from CSWE-accredited program; 2,000 hours post-graduate supervised experience; ASWB Bachelors exam
Exam Required
ASWB Bachelor's Examination
Supervision
2,000 hours post-graduate supervised experience required
Scope
Generalist social work practice including case management, intake assessments, referrals, and community outreach
MSW-Level (LMSW)
Title
Certified Social Worker
Abbreviation
CSW
Education
MSW from CSWE-accredited program
Exam Required
ASWB Master's Examination
Supervision
No supervised experience required; can apply immediately after MSW graduation
Scope
Advanced generalist social work including clinical assessment, treatment planning, and program development
LCSW/LISW/LICSW
Title
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Abbreviation
LCSW
Education
Must hold CSW first (stepping stone); MSW from CSWE-accredited program; 4,000 hours including 1,000 hours of direct therapy
Exam Required
ASWB Clinical Examination
Supervision
4,000 hours including 1,000 hours of direct therapy; independent practice 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: 38/100
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
Prepare for your ASWB Social Work Licensing Exam with Mometrix study guides, flashcards, online courses, and practice tests.
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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
4,000
Total Hours
1,000 hours of direct therapy required (of 4,000 total)
Direct Client Hours
2 years minimum
Duration
Supervisor Qualifications
LCSW with supervisory approval
Supervision Ratio
100 hours of direct 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 | $120 |
ASWB Exam Fee | $230/$260 |
License Fee | $80 |
Supervision Registration Fee | $25 |
Renewal Fee | $103 (biennial) |
Total Initial Fees | $385 |
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Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years (by October 1 of even-numbered years)
Renewal Period
40 hrs
CE Hours Required
Mandatory CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$103 (biennial)
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
No formal reciprocity; LCSW endorsement: must have been practicing under current license for at least 4,000 hours (1,000 in direct therapy) to qualify
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 Utah with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Title Protection
Mostly verifiedUtah protects the titles CSW, LCSW — using these titles without proper licensure is a violation of state law.
Telehealth Rules
VerifiedInterstate Telehealth Allowed
Telehealth permitted within state. Compact member state.
Mandatory Reporting
VerifiedSocial Workers Are Mandatory Reporters
Licensed social workers in Utah 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.
Utah requires 4,000 supervised clinical hours, significantly higher than the typical 3,000. Limits self-study CE to 15 of 40 required hours. Compact member state.
Utah uses non-standard terminology: SSW (Social Service Worker) instead of LBSW, CSW (Certified Social Worker) instead of LMSW
Must hold CSW before applying for LCSW — stepping stone requirement
LCSW requires 4,000 hours including 1,000 direct therapy — among highest nationally
SSW requires 2,000 hours post-graduate supervised experience (unusual for bachelor's level)
For endorsement, must have 4,000 hours under current license
Utah is a member of the Social Work Licensure Compact.
40 CE hours per biennium with 6 in ethics/law/technology and 2 in suicide prevention.
15 CE hours max via self-study; remaining 25 must be live or interactive webinar.
Social Work Compact enacted and commission activated (April 2024) but NOT yet issuing multistate licenses as of March 2026.
Social Worker requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utah (you) | $385 | 420–450 wks | |
| Arizona | Approximately $520-$550 (application $250 + fingerprint $40 + exam $230-$260) | 420–450 wks | → |
| Colorado | Approximately $390-$420 (application $160 + ASWB exam $230-$260) | 420–450 wks | → |
| Idaho | Approximately $300-$330 (application $70 + ASWB exam $230-$260) | 420–450 wks | → |
| Nevada | Approximately $435 (application $50 + license $125 + exam $260) | 420–450 wks | → |
Other professional licenses in Utah
See how Utah compares: Social Worker License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
✓ SW Compact Compact State — Utah 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 Utah
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Moving to Utah? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Social Worker license to Utah →
Transfer your Social Worker license from Utah to: Arizona → | Colorado → | Idaho → | Nevada → | New Mexico → | Wyoming →
Utah offers the LCSW as its clinical social work license. The ASWB Clinical exam is required. 4,000 hours of supervised experience are required. All licensing is managed through the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing — Social Work.
Requirements vary by state and license level. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing board.