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How to become a licensed clinical social worker in Alaska. Clinical license: LCSW. ASWB Clinical exam required. Supervised hours: 3,000. Total initial fees: Approximately $590-$620 (application + exam + license fee). Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Social Worker (LCSW)
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74% of data points are verified against official sources. 15 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
LCSW
Clinical License
Required
ASWB Exam
3,000
Supervised Hours
45 hours per renewal period for LMSW and LCSW hrs
CE Hours
Approximately $590-$620 (application + exam + license fee)
Total Initial Fees
No
Interstate Compact
BSW-Level (LSW/LBSW)
Title
Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker
Abbreviation
LBSW
Education
BSW from CSWE-accredited program
Exam Required
ASWB Bachelor's Examination
Supervision
Must work under supervision of a licensed social worker
Scope
Generalist social work practice including case management, intake assessments, referrals, and community outreach under supervision
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 initial LMSW; must accumulate supervised hours if pursuing LCSW
Scope
Advanced generalist social work including clinical assessment, treatment planning, and program development
LCSW/LISW/LICSW
Title
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Abbreviation
LCSW
Education
MSW from CSWE-accredited program with coursework in clinical practice, plus 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.
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 and Master's exams; $260 for Clinical exam
Retake Policy
Candidates may retake the exam after a 90-day waiting period.
Post-Master's Supervision Requirements
VerifiedSupervised experience required for clinical license
3,000
Total Hours
Not separately specified; 2 years full-time or 3,000 hours part-time required
Direct Client Hours
2 continuous years full-time, or 3,000 hours part-time (must be completed within 10 years of application)
Duration
Supervisor Qualifications
LCSW, licensed psychologist, or psychiatrist; new clinical supervisor regulations effective after June 30, 2026
Supervision Ratio
100 hours of direct face-to-face supervision; no more than 50 hours may be group 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 | $60 (LMSW); $360 total (LCSW, includes application and license fee) |
ASWB Exam Fee | $230 for Bachelor's/Master's; $260 for Clinical |
License Fee | $300 (LMSW) |
Supervision Registration Fee | Included in application |
Renewal Fee | $300 biennial renewal |
Total Initial Fees | Approximately $590-$620 (application + exam + license fee) |
Renewal & CE Requirements
Verified2 years
Renewal Period
45 hours per renewal period for LMSW and LCSW hrs
CE Hours Required
Mandatory CE Topics
Renewal Fee
$300
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
Not a Member of Interstate Compact
Reciprocity Type
License by credentials (endorsement)
Transfer Details
Alaska offers licensure by credentials for out-of-state social workers who meet equivalent requirements. Separate application forms exist for licensure by credentials (LBSW, LMSW, LCSW). ASWB exam scores are accepted from other 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.
Title Protection
VerifiedAlaska protects the titles LBSW, LMSW, and LCSW. Using these titles without proper licensure is a violation of state law.
Telehealth Rules
Mostly verifiedInterstate Telehealth Not Allowed
Telehealth permitted within state. Alaska is NOT a member of the Social Work Licensure Compact; out-of-state telehealth requires licensure in Alaska.
Mandatory Reporting
VerifiedSocial Workers Are Mandatory Reporters
Licensed social workers in Alaska 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.
Alaska uniquely requires 6 hours of cross-cultural education related to Alaska Natives as part of its 45-hour CE requirement, reflecting the state's significant Indigenous population. Alaska also mandates that supervised experience for LCSW must be completed within 10 years of application. New clinical supervisor regulations are being implemented with an effective date after June 30, 2026.
Alaska requires 6 hours of cross-cultural education related to Alaska Natives as part of the 45 CE hours per renewal.
LCSW supervised experience must be completed within 10 years before applying.
Alaska is NOT a member of the Social Work Licensure Compact.
New clinical supervisor regulations take effect after June 30, 2026, establishing minimum experience and CE requirements for supervisors.
No more than 50 of the required 100 supervision hours can be group supervision.
Alaska offers licensure by credentials (endorsement) as an alternative to licensure by examination for out-of-state applicants.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Alaska.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#41 of 51
Cost
#48 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Social Workers, All Other (SOC 21-1029)
Entry Level
$49,990
25th percentile
Median
$60,880
-12% vs. national avg ($69,480)Experienced
$72,540
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
510 employed in this state
Note: BLS category "Social Workers, All Other" covers social workers not classified under more specific categories. Clinical social workers (LCSW) may earn differently.
Source: BLS OEWS – Social Workers, All Other (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+8.5%
High DemandNew Jobs
+7,700
over 10 years
Annual Openings
10,100
per year (avg.)
91,300 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Social Work Career Ladder
You are here
Social Worker (BSW/MSW)
$60,880
BSW or MSW degree + ASWB exam
$57,650
MSW + 2-3 years supervised clinical experience + ASWB Clinical exam
You are here
Social Worker (BSW/MSW)
BSW or MSW degree + ASWB exam
$60,880
MSW + 2-3 years supervised clinical experience + ASWB Clinical exam
$57,650
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 420–450 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: Alaska Board of Social Work Examiners — Licensing Requirements
4–12 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Alaska Board of Social Work Examiners — Licensing Requirements
Study guides for the ASWB licensing exams.
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ASWB exam prep, supervised experience requirements, state-by-state LCSW paths, interstate compact details, and career resources for social workers.
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Alaska offers the LCSW as its clinical social work license. The ASWB Clinical exam is required. 3,000 hours of supervised experience are required. All licensing is managed through the Alaska Board of Social Work Examiners.
Requirements vary by state and license level. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing board.